Each mom comes to New Moms in some of the most challenging moments of their lives. The weight of poverty and homelessness has clouded their view of what is possible. One of the most beautiful experiences to witness at New Moms is when this changes and a young mom can look to her future with hope. 

For 40 years, people like you have supported young moms as they have broken through the clouds to see bright futures ahead. They have taken the opportunity to embrace healing, learn their strengths, and grow at New Moms. With encouragement and support, they tapped into their potential to achieve goals and lead the way into a new story filled with hope for the next generation!

These three stories represent three moms from three decades who welcomed a brighter future:

Eliza, Alumni 1995

 “I have a better relationship with my daughter than I had with my mother — I’m really  proud of that!” 

Eliza glows with pride as she speaks of her daughter, “She’s amazing, just amazing. I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t had my daughter.” In 1995, Eliza lost her job because she had to care for her baby and faced eviction. This led her to New Moms, where she lived in our Housing program for a short time. “New Moms saved my life!” she says. She had thought that becoming a homeless young mother was the end of her story, but the team at New Moms spoke life into her. Her perspective shifted when she learned life skills like grocery shopping, budget management, and parenting methods — she was beginning a new chapter of her life! 

Her future is bright! Today, Eliza is pursuing her Ph.D. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, serves on New Moms’ Board of Directors, and has a thriving relationship with her daughter.

Latoya, Alumni 2016

“I look forward to owning a house! I am working on that now — having our own home where my family can grow.” 

Latoya is now a proud mother of three. “My time at New Moms was eye-opening!” she shares as she reflects on the lessons she continues to put into practice. In our Job Training program, she gained confidence as she practiced teamwork, resume writing, and interview skills. Just before the pandemic, after steadily achieving promotions at work, Latoya experienced a layoff due to downsizing. “It was a blessing in disguise”, she said. She took that challenge as an opportunity to pursue a career in the beauty industry, where she now finds greater joy. Her future is bright! She celebrates the unique qualities of her children and is eager to cultivate their gifts and interests. And she is working hard to continue strengthening her family as she pursues her goal of buying her own home. 

Dominique, Current Participant

“I am learning how to be on my own in the outside world. Having my own house, my own car, my own job — that feels more possible now!”

Dominique is in the driver's seat of her life! Homelessness led her and her 2-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, to find New Moms. Now that she is stably housed in the New Moms Housing program, she is working closely with her New Moms’ coaches to accomplish significant goals around employment, savings, parenting, and long-term housing. 

Her future is bright! Dominique recently got a job with New Moms’ community partner, Beyond Hunger, one that has academic benefits and is intended to be a stepping stone to pursue her future career interests. “I’m not going to stay in the same place. I want Brooklyn to see that we can take a new path in our lives.”

This holiday season, we ask that you make a gift to support New Moms. When you give to New Moms, you give moms like Eliza, Latoya, and Dominique an opportunity to build a new path for their lives — a path not clouded by poverty and homelessness, but instead it is filled with hope and possibility! 

We need your help to raise $350,000 as we close out our 40th anniversary year of 2023. Your gift to New Moms is an investment in young moms who are living into their potential to lead their families into bright futures. And their success will have a powerful impact for generations to come! 

With Hope for Bright Futures!

Laura Zumdahl, Ph.D.

President & CEO

P.S. Thanks to a generous funder, all donations from Donor Advised Funds will be matched up to $15,000, and all other donations will be matched up to $10,000! Would you make a gift that helps us meet the match and continue supporting young moms building bright futures? Please send your gift by December 31, 2023 to help us meet the match.