‹ Become a mentor to the children of single parents. ‹ Volunteer at local agencies that assist single parents with job, life, and parenting skills. ‹ Form a support group in your neighborhood that assists single parents in their many roles and responsibilities.

<PZTP3XUUTaT]RTcWa^dVWH^da2WdaRW Â&#x2039; Start a valet ministry at your church for single mothers. This can greatly reduce the stress of bringing in small children from the parking lot to the church building. Â&#x2039; Provide childcare when possible at church events so single parents can participate more easily. Â&#x2039; Encourage the participation of single parents in various ministries in the church. Â&#x2039; Start a single parent support group at your church. Â&#x2039; Mobilize volunteers to assist single parents with lawn care, car repairs, or household maintenance. Â&#x2039; Create an â&#x20AC;&#x153;adopt-a-familyâ&#x20AC;? program at your church to provide support systems for single parents that assists them with their needs. Â&#x2039; 6MMLY[OLJO\YJOHZHSPHPZVU[VOLSWJVVYKPUH[L[OL]HYPV\ZZ`Z[LTZ[OH[TH`ILJVTLPU]VS]LK^P[OH[YV\ISLK family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as public assistance, child welfare, the court system, health care, and schools. Â&#x2039; Start a benevolent program to provide grants and scholarships for single parents looking to further their education and advance their careers. Â&#x2039; Instead of starting a new family ministry, consider developing a partnership with a church that is already effectively serving hurting families, and extend the support of your church. Â&#x2039; Provide volunteers for agencies and organizations that work directly with single parents.

Unmarried Birth Rate 80%

35%

27% White

Black

Hispanic

47%

45%

Asian

Lake Co. Total

[US Census Bureau, Women 15-20 Years Who Had a Birth in the Past 12 Months by Marital Status and Poverty Status (2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates,), http://factfinder.census.gov.]

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