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The life of a single parent is difficult and has many challenges. However, great personal satisfaction could be felt after these difficulties are hurdled. Many support mechanism are in place to assist single parents in successfully meeting the challenges of raising a family. Assistance may be sought from single-parent organizations, support groups, and church networks. Many foundations offer financial aid through grants and loans for single parents.
Much information on these support mechanisms for the single parent could be found in the Single Parents’ Cash and Sources Guide. This guide is an online publication that could be read for free. Many practical tips are contained in this guide. Among these is how to best approach a foundation. One advice is giving priority on those foundations specifically addressing single parents. Phone calls to these foundations are ideal in order to get a faster response regarding loan information. There are even loans for single mothers available specifically for single women raising kids.
Under the guide, single parents are urged to strictly conform with the foundation’s application procedure. Some foundations require detailed proposals, containing such information as references and proof of income. Others simply want a letter. Individual letters should be written and sent to each foundation or organization. Positive results are unlikely if form letters are used. Single parent grants are very competitive so you want to make sure you put your best foot forward.
There are foundations, which do not give loans for single parents directly. The loans are granted through non-profit groups. Hence, single parents will need to first work with these organizations. These groups and agencies are usually listed under the “social service” category of the telephone directory’s yellow pages. A church group which may be familiar with a single parent’s case is another source of potential assistance. Grants for single mothers are often available through women’s groups or women owned businesses.
Loans for single parents could likewise be secured in underserved communities’ outreach programs. Some banks now want to tap lending opportunities among those with limited access to financing and are using outreach programs as loan conduits. These banks believe that they can benefit from this market.
Statistical data support this growth trend. A 20% annual growth in small business owned by minorities has been noted by the Census Bureau. This gain also indicates the growing need for government to grant more business loans for single parents. The Small Business Administration is helping meet this rising demand. The agency’s financing guarantee program is now extending 25% more assistance to women compared to the past years.
Other methods are available besides taking loans to help single parents. Single parents can avail of federal and state government programs. One is the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Skills training and job placement, and securing food stamps as well as financial help are the benefits that could be sought from this agency. For help with heating bills, the government body to go to is the LIHEAP (Low Income Housing Energy Program). The resourceful single parents will not be wanting in practical solutions to meet their families needs.
