Year-End Giving Campaign
Moms in our community need your support. Moms like Leslie.
Leslie grew up in incredibly challenging circumstances; one parent struggling with addiction and the other distant. She moved frequently with life taking her to New York, Mexico, Chicago and China. In great need of support and stability, Leslie found a relationship she thought was healthy and they began building their family. But unfortunately, that relationship became abusive. Despite challenges that kept mounting, Leslie pursued her GED and college education while working the night shift to provide for her children.
Now a single mom of four children, Leslie was working diligently but shared, “It was hard trying to make ends meet and just trying to get through day by day.” Then, Leslie received a letter stating that once again, her rent was going up. She said, “I remember I was down when I got that letter because I’m, like, trying to figure out what am I gonna do!?” Unable to continue making ends meet, Leslie was desperate to find affordable housing for her family and scared for their future.
No little girl grows up dreaming of being a single mom. The events that bring them to this reality are challenging and complicated to say the least. And yet, each of the single moms who become a part of Fellowship Housing is filled with determination and courage. They all desire the same thing--to create a better life, a better legacy for their children. They simply need someone to come alongside them and extend A Hand Up.
Would you consider a generous gift to our year-end campaign, A Hand Up? Now three years into our 5-year expansion plan, Fellowship Housing has gone from serving 24 families at a time to 60 throughout Cook, DuPage, Kane and McHenry Counties. But there are still at-risk single moms and their children in our community who need A Hand Up so they can build a better future for their family.
I am boldly asking you to give prayerfully and generously this year to add 10 more apartments and 10 more families served once again. Adding more affordable housing and program staff requires more support! I invite you to be part of the vision that God has laid out before us – to serve 70 families at a time by the end of 2026 and ultimately 80 families by 2028.
After learning about Fellowship Housing from a friend at church, Leslie applied and was overjoyed at the possibilities for her future when she was accepted. She said, “It’s not easy, but I’m saving as much as I can, learning how to stick with the budget, and letting others teach me. Fellowship Housing is a God-send for single moms - truly transforming lives– not only mine, but my kids too. When we moved into the Fellowship Housing apartment is when my hope felt real, like, I’m here. I’m gonna do this.”
Leslie has been hard at work over the past two years and is preparing for her Fellowship Housing graduation celebration. She was able to pay off $8000 in debt, save $35,000 and increase her credit score by 105 points!! Leslie has chosen to rent where her kids can stay in the same schools, which they love, as she continues to work toward her ultimate goal of home ownership. As she wrapped up her time at Fellowship Housing, Leslie said, “I’m so grateful I was able to build a solid foundation for my family. These last two years have been hard work, but I was able to prove to myself that I can do hard things!”
Please consider a generous gift to support even more single moms, like Leslie, in our community. YOU can be the reason they have hope for a different future. Thank you...SO MUCH!!
Your gift to Fellowship Housing may be used in a number of ways to empower single moms...
$25,000 GIFT
Covers all costs for a single mom and her children for one full year, which includes housing, one-on-one mentoring, financial education, counseling, career training, debt reduction matching, employment coaching and life skills training.
$15,000 GIFT
Provides safe housing for a single mom and her children for one year.
$10,000 GIFT
Provides (2) one-year $5000 college scholarships to Fellowship Housing high school graduates.
$5,000 GIFT
Provides weekly one-on-one case management for one year.
$2,500 GIFT
Provides scholarships for Fellowship Housing children to participate in extracurricular activities or childcare assistance options over the summer.
$1,200 GIFT (Just $100 per month)
Provides a year of counseling for a mom.
$600 GIFT (Just $50 per month)
Helps a mom to decrease debt through our debt-matching program, which matches up to $500 per month.
$365 GIFT (Just $1 per day)
Provides personal and educational resources for moms and their children, including warm clothes, tutoring, school supplies and personal care items.
$120 GIFT
Sends a mom to the Financial Peace classes.