Where single moms find support, hope and healing!
A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL is a 501(c)(3) charity designed to assist single mothers and their children. If you are a parent, we don't have to tell you how difficult it can be to raise children. We no longer live in a world where one parent works while the other parent is able to devote themselves full time to raising their children. In most two parent households today both parents are required to work in order to earn enough money to support the family. It can be tough on the parents and the kids.
Now, if you live in a two parent household, imagine doing this alone.... working one, two, sometimes three jobs to support your children only to realize all of this work means you can't spend enough time to "raise" the loved ones you are working so hard for... your children.
Now, if you live in a two parent household, imagine doing this alone.... working one, two, sometimes three jobs to support your children only to realize all of this work means you can't spend enough time to "raise" the loved ones you are working so hard for... your children.
Parenting is tough… single parenting is relentless. Its 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can’t take a day off if you’re sick because you still need to cook, clean, get the kids ready for school; help the kids with their homework and so on. If one of your children is sick, you often need to take time off of work to care for them. If you want some “me” time you’d better be prepared to wait.
Many single moms make these sacrifices and more for their children and it's still not enough. A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL is here to lend a helping hand and let those families know they're not alone.
We offer support group meetings twice a month, giving single moms a place to come for some much needed support from others that truly understand what they are going through. This support does not stop there. We have implemented a support chain. Once in the program, the members soon realize they are their greatest resource.
Our mission is to build strong and stable lives through resources, education training and life skills. We offer practical support where single mother households need it the most:
These programs can make a world of difference in the lives of a single mom and her children.
Many single moms make these sacrifices and more for their children and it's still not enough. A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL is here to lend a helping hand and let those families know they're not alone.
We offer support group meetings twice a month, giving single moms a place to come for some much needed support from others that truly understand what they are going through. This support does not stop there. We have implemented a support chain. Once in the program, the members soon realize they are their greatest resource.
Our mission is to build strong and stable lives through resources, education training and life skills. We offer practical support where single mother households need it the most:
- Bare Necessities: This program provides families with a supply of most needed household items that families use in the home daily.
- Birthday Boxes: Each month mom’s come and assemble birthday bags filled with the essentials needed to give kids with a birthday in that month a fun celebration: hats, streamers, plates, table cloth, a cake and a birthday gift from our inventory of new toys.
- Social Events: We host quarterly kid friendly events at fun venues around SWFL. This gives the kids a chance to meet other kids that go through the same challenge that comes with being raised by a single mom.
- SWFL Santa’s: Families are matched with community members and organizations that wish to adopt the single mom and her children for Christmas.
- Training Classes: We offer practical skills training in areas such as budgeting, resume writing, interview skills and more.
- School Supply Drive: Between school clothes and supplies the costs add up. In an effort to give our moms a little breathing room and make sure every student is prepared the first day back to school.
- Referrals: Referral network to help single mother families find the resources they need in their community.
These programs can make a world of difference in the lives of a single mom and her children.
About Us
The mission of A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL is to build strong and stable lives through resources, education, training and life skills.
There are approximately 10 million single moms in the US today and those moms are responsible for raising 15 million children under the age of 18.*
With the growing number of single mother families, it is our belief that single mother households impacts the life of nearly everyone—directly or indirectly.
Whether by death, divorce, accident or design, single moms must now successfully complete a job that is overwhelming even for two. If you are a single mom, know someone who is, we can help fill the gap!
There are approximately 10 million single moms in the US today and those moms are responsible for raising 15 million children under the age of 18.*
With the growing number of single mother families, it is our belief that single mother households impacts the life of nearly everyone—directly or indirectly.
Whether by death, divorce, accident or design, single moms must now successfully complete a job that is overwhelming even for two. If you are a single mom, know someone who is, we can help fill the gap!
Our Values:
Parenthood can be overwhelming for any couple. Going it alone as a single mom can be even harder.
Our mission is to build strong and stable lives through resources, education training and life skills.
Single moms who take the steps necessary to ensure their children receive what they need
Individuals who are willing to help fill the void left by the absent dad
Communities that value single mother homes, recognize their special needs and provide resources to ensure those needs are met.
*2010 US Census Bureau
Our mission is to build strong and stable lives through resources, education training and life skills.
Single moms who take the steps necessary to ensure their children receive what they need
Individuals who are willing to help fill the void left by the absent dad
Communities that value single mother homes, recognize their special needs and provide resources to ensure those needs are met.
*2010 US Census Bureau
A Mom's Helping Hand of SWFL is for single moms by single moms. In addition to taking care of the day to day activities of AMHH, we are working full time jobs and raising families.
Board of Directors
Kristen Peterson
Founder & President
Born and raised in Meriden, Ct, Kristen has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Post University of Waterbury, Connecticut. Kristen is the founder of A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL. As a single mom, Kristen put a lot of thought into the type of resources other single parents and their children would benefit from. She believes that the moms that are a part of the organization are their own greatest asset. By forming relationships with each other, they become each other’s extended family.
Kristen was a military wife for 13 years and moved to Cape Coral, FL after her divorce in 2003 to be closer to her mother. As a new single mom of four children, Kristen struggled to learn how to live as a single mom and raise her children alone. Over the years, she recognized the lack of services offered compared to the many places she lived as a military wife. In 2014, she started researching starting a non-profit that would support single moms and their children.
In addition to working with A Mom’s Helping Hand, Kristen works full-time for Lee County. She is actively involved in all of her children’s activities and has been a volunteer Girl Scout Leader for the last eight years. Click here to email Kristen
Founder & President
Born and raised in Meriden, Ct, Kristen has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Post University of Waterbury, Connecticut. Kristen is the founder of A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL. As a single mom, Kristen put a lot of thought into the type of resources other single parents and their children would benefit from. She believes that the moms that are a part of the organization are their own greatest asset. By forming relationships with each other, they become each other’s extended family.
Kristen was a military wife for 13 years and moved to Cape Coral, FL after her divorce in 2003 to be closer to her mother. As a new single mom of four children, Kristen struggled to learn how to live as a single mom and raise her children alone. Over the years, she recognized the lack of services offered compared to the many places she lived as a military wife. In 2014, she started researching starting a non-profit that would support single moms and their children.
In addition to working with A Mom’s Helping Hand, Kristen works full-time for Lee County. She is actively involved in all of her children’s activities and has been a volunteer Girl Scout Leader for the last eight years. Click here to email Kristen
Flossie Luther
Director of Programs
Flossie Luther is a Patient Service Specialist at Florida Cancer Specialists. She moved to Cape Coral, FL in 2014 from Newark, Ohio to make a better life for her family. As a single mom of a teenage boy Flossie understands the struggles single parents face every day. She moved in with family when she arrived in Southwest Florida only to find that it was less than an ideal situation. Flossie was having a difficult time finding work that would help support her and her son on her own.
Flossie started working for Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Florida which allowed her to not only help support her family but to also move out of the home she shared with family into her own place. She enrolled in the L.E.E. Medical Office Skills Program from Fort Myers Technical College to improve her skills and to give her a leg up in the workforce. She graduated in November of 2015. She accepted a position at Florida Cancer Specialists where she is currently employed today.
Soon after A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL opened its doors in 2015, Flossie became a member and quickly made friends with many of the other moms in the program. She volunteered for the organization as often as she could. She became a board member January 2017.
In addition to the work she does with A Mom’s Helping Hand, Flossie is very involved with her son’s activities and is an avid volunteer for Two Happy Hands Signing Academy. Click here to email Flossie.
Director of Programs
Flossie Luther is a Patient Service Specialist at Florida Cancer Specialists. She moved to Cape Coral, FL in 2014 from Newark, Ohio to make a better life for her family. As a single mom of a teenage boy Flossie understands the struggles single parents face every day. She moved in with family when she arrived in Southwest Florida only to find that it was less than an ideal situation. Flossie was having a difficult time finding work that would help support her and her son on her own.
Flossie started working for Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Florida which allowed her to not only help support her family but to also move out of the home she shared with family into her own place. She enrolled in the L.E.E. Medical Office Skills Program from Fort Myers Technical College to improve her skills and to give her a leg up in the workforce. She graduated in November of 2015. She accepted a position at Florida Cancer Specialists where she is currently employed today.
Soon after A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL opened its doors in 2015, Flossie became a member and quickly made friends with many of the other moms in the program. She volunteered for the organization as often as she could. She became a board member January 2017.
In addition to the work she does with A Mom’s Helping Hand, Flossie is very involved with her son’s activities and is an avid volunteer for Two Happy Hands Signing Academy. Click here to email Flossie.
Sara Gummerman
Director of Volunteers
Sara Gummerman is a Certified Paralegal for Douglas E. Spiegel, ESQ. In 1990, she became a wife and mother at the young age of 18. Within a couple of years, she was facing divorce and became a single mother. With the help of her father and grandfather, who were both attorneys, and the support of her maternal grandmother, she found myself taking paralegal courses at Florida Career Institute. Shortly after receiving her A.S. degree she worked as a legal assistant for Robert L. Vaughn. Sara found that she enjoyed working in the legal field but felt that she needed to continue learning. Over the next several years she became a professional student. Sara went to work in the morning, took classes at Edison Community College in pursuit of an A.A. degree and worked as a hostess at Steak and Ale in the evenings. In 1997 Sara had her second child and got married again. She returned to school and attended Barry University and obtained her B.A. degree in Psychology in December of 2005.
Over a span of 25+ years, Sara has worked in various law firms, for a general contractor’s office, for a medical supply company, and at a title company. Her emphasis has always been on family law, which recently propelled Sara to become a Guardian Ad Litem. She is still in the beginning stages but has enjoyed working on her first case and look forward to making a difference in the lives of more children soon. When Sara’s not working you can find her volunteering at various events for the American Cancer Society, PACE, Island Coast Aids Network, A Mom’s Helping Hand, Gulf Coast Paralegal Association, and Faith Presbyterian Church. Her interests include attending outdoor concerts and events, motorcycle riding, playing softball, and keeping up with her sweet but rambunctious 10-year-old son. Click here to email Sara.
Director of Volunteers
Sara Gummerman is a Certified Paralegal for Douglas E. Spiegel, ESQ. In 1990, she became a wife and mother at the young age of 18. Within a couple of years, she was facing divorce and became a single mother. With the help of her father and grandfather, who were both attorneys, and the support of her maternal grandmother, she found myself taking paralegal courses at Florida Career Institute. Shortly after receiving her A.S. degree she worked as a legal assistant for Robert L. Vaughn. Sara found that she enjoyed working in the legal field but felt that she needed to continue learning. Over the next several years she became a professional student. Sara went to work in the morning, took classes at Edison Community College in pursuit of an A.A. degree and worked as a hostess at Steak and Ale in the evenings. In 1997 Sara had her second child and got married again. She returned to school and attended Barry University and obtained her B.A. degree in Psychology in December of 2005.
Over a span of 25+ years, Sara has worked in various law firms, for a general contractor’s office, for a medical supply company, and at a title company. Her emphasis has always been on family law, which recently propelled Sara to become a Guardian Ad Litem. She is still in the beginning stages but has enjoyed working on her first case and look forward to making a difference in the lives of more children soon. When Sara’s not working you can find her volunteering at various events for the American Cancer Society, PACE, Island Coast Aids Network, A Mom’s Helping Hand, Gulf Coast Paralegal Association, and Faith Presbyterian Church. Her interests include attending outdoor concerts and events, motorcycle riding, playing softball, and keeping up with her sweet but rambunctious 10-year-old son. Click here to email Sara.
Darlene Bell
Director of Partner Relations
Darlene was born in Meriden, Connecticut and moved to Ohio in her teenage years due to her father’s job. She moved to Cape Coral in 2016 to start her life over after escaping an abusive relationship that almost took her life. Darlene has dedicated a great deal of time into helping others get out and move past domestic abuse relationships. She does have one blessing out of her horrific past, and that is her amazing 9 year old son.
Darlene obtained an Associate Degree from Bowling Green State University in Human Services and Criminal Justice as a single mom. She has used her knowledge from her past and has worked for domestic violence shelters, the courts as a Victims Advocate, and a Corrections Officer.
Since moving to Florida, Darlene has decided to take a different career path to allow her to spend as much time watching her son grow. She now works for a major Commercial Real Estate firm in their Property Management Department.
Darlene and Kristen are cousins who did not have the opportunity to grow up together. When Darlene moved to Cape Coral, she became involved with AMHH, volunteering where ever she could to help the group. Darlene expressed an interest in becoming more involved and joining the board, which the board voted in favor of. Darlene has been an important part of the organization since she joined.
Outside of the organization, she is an avid photographer and is very involved in several activities with her children. In her spare time she enjoys playing softball, spending time with her family and running her craft business. Click here to email Darlene.
Director of Partner Relations
Darlene was born in Meriden, Connecticut and moved to Ohio in her teenage years due to her father’s job. She moved to Cape Coral in 2016 to start her life over after escaping an abusive relationship that almost took her life. Darlene has dedicated a great deal of time into helping others get out and move past domestic abuse relationships. She does have one blessing out of her horrific past, and that is her amazing 9 year old son.
Darlene obtained an Associate Degree from Bowling Green State University in Human Services and Criminal Justice as a single mom. She has used her knowledge from her past and has worked for domestic violence shelters, the courts as a Victims Advocate, and a Corrections Officer.
Since moving to Florida, Darlene has decided to take a different career path to allow her to spend as much time watching her son grow. She now works for a major Commercial Real Estate firm in their Property Management Department.
Darlene and Kristen are cousins who did not have the opportunity to grow up together. When Darlene moved to Cape Coral, she became involved with AMHH, volunteering where ever she could to help the group. Darlene expressed an interest in becoming more involved and joining the board, which the board voted in favor of. Darlene has been an important part of the organization since she joined.
Outside of the organization, she is an avid photographer and is very involved in several activities with her children. In her spare time she enjoys playing softball, spending time with her family and running her craft business. Click here to email Darlene.
Eileen Reynolds
Treasurer
Eileen Reynolds became a widow in 2008 when her two boys were just 8 and 6. Shortly after remarrying, her family moved to Cape Coral from Bellmawr, NJ in 2011 in the hopes of making a better life. She started working for Lee County and thought things were starting to look up for her. Unfortunately, Eileen ended up going through a difficult divorce. She soon after became involved with A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL. Through the support of the women in the group Eileen was able to move on and start putting her life back on track. While being a single mom is still a struggle she knows she has the support of her friends and new-found family.
Eileen became an avid volunteer in the organization and could often be found out late at night helping with one of the organizations biggest fundraisers, Flamingo Flocking. She put in many hours helping the organization. In September of 2016, Eileen became a board member. Click here to email Eileen.
Treasurer
Eileen Reynolds became a widow in 2008 when her two boys were just 8 and 6. Shortly after remarrying, her family moved to Cape Coral from Bellmawr, NJ in 2011 in the hopes of making a better life. She started working for Lee County and thought things were starting to look up for her. Unfortunately, Eileen ended up going through a difficult divorce. She soon after became involved with A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL. Through the support of the women in the group Eileen was able to move on and start putting her life back on track. While being a single mom is still a struggle she knows she has the support of her friends and new-found family.
Eileen became an avid volunteer in the organization and could often be found out late at night helping with one of the organizations biggest fundraisers, Flamingo Flocking. She put in many hours helping the organization. In September of 2016, Eileen became a board member. Click here to email Eileen.
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