Will You Be the One to Help a New Mom?

You’ve heard it before: it only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life. Often, we hear adults thank a childhood teacher for being that person: the one to perceive when a child is struggling, the one to provide special encouragement, the one to recognize special talents. As adults we remember those teachers who really took the time to know us and help us grow.

At One by One, that person can be you. Our mentors serve pregnant and new moms by providing friendship, support, and encouragement as well as parent education and life skills lessons to help them learn to parent well. We talk a lot about our mentors because they’re on the front lines: each mentor talks/texts with her mom weekly and meets with her monthly until her child turns one. But there are other ways you can be the “one” at One by One.

·       Prayer partners support mentors and moms by praying for their needs

·       Volunteers help with office and event needs, but they also organize baby showers or collect Walmart gift cards to help moms with supplies they need

·       Donate to support our work

Of course, we are always looking for women willing to serve as mentors. We train our mentors and provide them with all they need to serve a new mom, all at no cost. Following are just a few of the ways our mentors support our moms:

·       Encourage moms to attend prenatal appointments to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and delivery with good outcomes for both mom and baby

·       Teach moms activities to do with their babies to promote language, motor, social, and emotional skill development so babies grow on target

·       Help moms realize if their babies aren’t developing on target so they can get early intervention if needed

·       Share life skills lessons on topics such as budgeting, time management, and communication skills

·       Affirm a mom’s decision to choose life for her baby

·       Encourage moms working to complete high school, earn their high school equivalency diploma, or earn an associates or college degree, making it easier for them to gain jobs to provide for themselves and their families

·       Connect moms to housing and rental assistance programs

·       Assist moms in securing reliable transportation, making it easier for them to get their kids to daycare and themselves to jobs

Mentors are also shoulders to cry on, listening ears, and encouragers. They let moms know they’re not alone – and reassure them when they’re doing what they need to do to parent well. Our mentors also share God’s love; they remind each mom that she is precious is God’s eyes and that God has a plan for both her and her baby. (Mentors do not, however, provide babysitting, transportation, or financial assistance to moms.) If you would like to be the “one” to help a new mom, apply here to mentor with us. You may find you’re the one being blessed in the mentor/mom relationship!