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!
Our Vision
To enhance the lives of single moms and their children by having a strong awareness of our mission, to empower, educate, engage, and equip to build a quality life.
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 Vision
To enhance the lives of single moms and their children by having a strong awareness of our mission, to empower, educate, engage, and equip to build a quality life.
Our Values:
We envision a community of single moms working together to provide, support, hope and healing to one another in order to help manage their daily lives, build strong families, use available resources.
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
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
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
Lesley Rodgers
Vice President
Lesley is very happy to have a larger role in the organization as Vice President this year. She joined as a member about five years ago and has enjoyed serving in the board the last couple of years.
Lesley has two children of her own and has worked hard to be the type of mom that can be looked up to by many. Lesley owns a sign language school working with people of all abilities to help them learn how to communicate using ASL. She is also a teacher in Lee County and thoroughly enjoys working to help our future leaders find their way in this world.
This organization is near and dear to Lesley and she plans on doing everything she can to help it successfully assist single parents that could use support. She is available to assist anyone looking for a support system. If you would like to find out more, please contact her.
Click here to email Lesley
Vice President
Lesley is very happy to have a larger role in the organization as Vice President this year. She joined as a member about five years ago and has enjoyed serving in the board the last couple of years.
Lesley has two children of her own and has worked hard to be the type of mom that can be looked up to by many. Lesley owns a sign language school working with people of all abilities to help them learn how to communicate using ASL. She is also a teacher in Lee County and thoroughly enjoys working to help our future leaders find their way in this world.
This organization is near and dear to Lesley and she plans on doing everything she can to help it successfully assist single parents that could use support. She is available to assist anyone looking for a support system. If you would like to find out more, please contact her.
Click here to email Lesley
Katie ClarK
Director of Programs
Katie Clark is excited to be part of A Mom’s Helping Hand and help give other individuals support. She started as a donor when AMHH first started and then when situations changed, she became a member and now a board member.
She believes in finding the positive in every situation and has a strong drive to help the community she lives and works in. Katie is a local teacher in the public school system for preschoolers with varying special needs. She is able to give a different perspective and support to other moms with their child’s development and access to resources to help families empower themselves.
Katie is a mother of a teenage girl who is the biggest blessing of her life! They enjoy spending time exploring and seeing new sights. She has been blessed to be able to work at the same school as her daughter for many years and be able to not miss any moments! Katie is also a Girl Scout leader, mentor to families in need through Better Together and entrepreneur.
Click here to email Katie.
Director of Programs
Katie Clark is excited to be part of A Mom’s Helping Hand and help give other individuals support. She started as a donor when AMHH first started and then when situations changed, she became a member and now a board member.
She believes in finding the positive in every situation and has a strong drive to help the community she lives and works in. Katie is a local teacher in the public school system for preschoolers with varying special needs. She is able to give a different perspective and support to other moms with their child’s development and access to resources to help families empower themselves.
Katie is a mother of a teenage girl who is the biggest blessing of her life! They enjoy spending time exploring and seeing new sights. She has been blessed to be able to work at the same school as her daughter for many years and be able to not miss any moments! Katie is also a Girl Scout leader, mentor to families in need through Better Together and entrepreneur.
Click here to email Katie.
Liza Soto
Director of Member Services
Liza is happy to join A Mother's Helping Hand Board this year and looks forward to working closely with the public to promote this great organization. Here is how she feels about AMHH Community: " What I hope to get out of this great organization is a positive healthy environment for our moms and their children where they can feel safe, loved and supported. This can only be achieved in everyone is in it together filling in all the gaps and in between."
Career-Certified Teacher in Exceptional Student Education (ESE). She also holds a certification in Elementary Education and Spanish; as well as Reading and ESOL Endorsements. She is currently working for the District and is very happy in the Middle School setting. Liza loves to work with her students and be a resource to help them facilitate their own individual learning.
Personal life- Liza lives a quiet life with her three children out in The Cape. Most days are spent in the typical life of a single mom, rushing out to school/work and getting things ready for the next day. Being part of this mom community has allowed Liza an outlet, a place where she can connect with people just like her and the support to keep going. Liza wants you to know how important AMHH has been to her personal life, here is a quote from her; "It is important to be a part of a community that gets you! We often do a lot for our kids but neglect our own needs. Sometimes it is good to disconnect from the "every-day" and grab a slice of pizza and a laugh with a mom friend."
If you would like to contact Liza concerning membership information click the link below to email Liza.
Click here to email Liza
Director of Member Services
Liza is happy to join A Mother's Helping Hand Board this year and looks forward to working closely with the public to promote this great organization. Here is how she feels about AMHH Community: " What I hope to get out of this great organization is a positive healthy environment for our moms and their children where they can feel safe, loved and supported. This can only be achieved in everyone is in it together filling in all the gaps and in between."
Career-Certified Teacher in Exceptional Student Education (ESE). She also holds a certification in Elementary Education and Spanish; as well as Reading and ESOL Endorsements. She is currently working for the District and is very happy in the Middle School setting. Liza loves to work with her students and be a resource to help them facilitate their own individual learning.
Personal life- Liza lives a quiet life with her three children out in The Cape. Most days are spent in the typical life of a single mom, rushing out to school/work and getting things ready for the next day. Being part of this mom community has allowed Liza an outlet, a place where she can connect with people just like her and the support to keep going. Liza wants you to know how important AMHH has been to her personal life, here is a quote from her; "It is important to be a part of a community that gets you! We often do a lot for our kids but neglect our own needs. Sometimes it is good to disconnect from the "every-day" and grab a slice of pizza and a laugh with a mom friend."
If you would like to contact Liza concerning membership information click the link below to email Liza.
Click here to email Liza
Sydney Miller
Secretary
Sydney is a young single mother from Rockaway Beach, NY. Sydney and her energetic, caring three-year old daughter have been living in Cape Coral since 2018.
Since moving, Sydney has been working as a Direct Care Professional at a local ICF with disabled adults. In early 2019, Sydney and her daughter joined the AMHH group and immediately felt like they had found family. Sydney wanted to become more involved with the group, and joined the AMHH Board as a general member in 2020.
Sydney’s hobbies are reading, writing, care-taking, and video games.
Click here to email Sydney.
Secretary
Sydney is a young single mother from Rockaway Beach, NY. Sydney and her energetic, caring three-year old daughter have been living in Cape Coral since 2018.
Since moving, Sydney has been working as a Direct Care Professional at a local ICF with disabled adults. In early 2019, Sydney and her daughter joined the AMHH group and immediately felt like they had found family. Sydney wanted to become more involved with the group, and joined the AMHH Board as a general member in 2020.
Sydney’s hobbies are reading, writing, care-taking, and video games.
Click here to email Sydney.
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