Spark Hope Today
Hope is the driving force behind any change.
Without hope, it's difficult to stay motivated and engaged. If you believe that you'll never be able to pay your bills, you'll lack the incentive to show up to work. If you don't think anyone will listen to you, you won't bother communicating. And if you don't believe you'll ever be known, seen, or loved, you'll stop trying altogether.
Our mission is to offer overlooked and underserved women the opportunities to spark that hope and develop a plan for an independent future. And once that spark of hope is ignited, nothing can stop the flames of change from spreading.
SPARKING HOPE IN 2024
SOME WAYS YOUR GIVING SPARKED HOPE IN 2023
HOPE FOR SAFETY AND STABILITY
"Moving meant so much for me; the first words that come to mind are confidence, joy & loved.
To finally feel confident in motherhood, to be able to provide for my kids and myself on my own (with God tho of course!) There is joy, every time we pull in the driveway and we all say, we are HOME or the kids will call out, "I'm in MY room", we all have been smiling more in having our own place and peace to escape to, giving them their own rooms to have space and comfort in.
With all the trauma and tragedy to be able to smile and laugh and be close with each other, knowing God did this for us, it's incredible.
I keep saying, I've never felt more loved in my life!"
HOPE AFTER LOSS OF A SPOUSE
At the retreat, I realized I spent 20 years being someone I didn't like to try to get my ex to be someone I did like. I had to be someone I didn't want to be in order to keep him from being who he was, an alcoholic.
I spent so many wasted years not being the woman God intended me to be, trying to control my ex's behavior.
It hit me during my time away that I was standing in God's way, not only for myself but for my ex. God couldn't work in him or me because I was trying to always "fix" things.
That came out if nowhere and opened my eyes.
This was the most authentic, transparent group of women. Made it easy for everyone to be comfortable and at ease. No judgement, no pretending. Just raw, soul bearing honesty and I was finally able to release my ex husband to God and hope.”
HOPE FOR RESTORATION AND PURPOSE
“I come to Family Meal because I like to connect with people, meet new people, make friends, and make more friends for my children as well. So to be able connect with moms who have been through similar things or might need encouragement, that’s the best part.
I always feel like I'm unqualified to to help because of what I’ve been through, but it's a blessing when it turns out that I was able to be helpful because of my past. Having a group of people that come around when you need them, and being able to give back out of my pain. That’s the best part.”
HOPE FOR COMMUNITY
“I was so happy to see Beth. I didn’t expect it to be her because we met previously at the Known Seen Loved Celebration last year and I was at her table. So that was a coincidence.
But even that first day, it felt like I'd already known her. And I was mostly nervous about getting paired with someone and being like, ‘Hey, nice to meet you. These are all my problems.’
But Beth already knew. That's made it a little easier. I wasn't nervous anymore when I walked in and saw that it was Beth, so I was very excited.
Coming here and just seeing that there's other people kind of doing the same thing that I'm doing, knowing that there's other moms that are here to help me. And I'm not completely alone here, that’s what community is.”
HOPE TO BE A LIAISON
“I know women who lost a spouse are hurting and need help. I plan to become a liaison between the widows and deacons in my church with the tools 431 has developed. Utilizing the Re:Store Me Assessment will give our deacons a better understanding of the exact needs of each widow and how to more accurately meet their needs as a congregation.”