This document discusses single mothers and the challenges they face. It provides statistics showing that single mother families are growing and that many struggle financially and with feelings of isolation. It outlines the programs and services of INCITE, a non-profit organization that provides support services to single mothers such as weekly meetings, social outings, children's programs, guest speakers on topics like health and finances, and more. INCITE aims to empower single mothers and improve their well-being and that of their children. Donations are described as helping to fund INCITE's various programs and services.

1. Single Moms
A Demographic
That Is Growing and In-Need
www.incitesinglemoms.com

2. "There are many single moms who feel alone,
are struggling and need an extra helping hand;
they are not getting the help that they need."

3. Statistics
• 1 in 6 families in Halton are single parent households,
93% of which are headed by a single mom
• 1 in 3 families in the U.S. are single mom families

4. "A lot of single moms are slipping through the cracks,
are being neglected and let down. They have no where to turn.”

5. Many single moms feel like there is a stigma attached
to being a single parent.
Single Moms often feel a sense of:
failure+shame+guilt

6. “Single Moms feel different in the workplace;
often considered unreliable or not capable.
They feel unloved and unwanted. They feel lost.”

7. "I don't know who to talk to...every time I try to better myself
to raise my three kids on my own, an obstacle gets in my
way. This is the hardest thing I have had to do. After 20 years
of marriage he decided he didn't want to do it any more
and left me and our children.”
A Member of INCITE

8. Quotes from Dr. Joey Edwardh
Executive Director, Community Development Halton
“In Burlington, 25% of single mothers with children live at or below
the low income level.”
“These are largely women between 35 and 45, who did not expect
to be left with their children.”

9. Quotes from Dr. Ellen Lipman
Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University
"One in eight Canadian children live in a family headed by a single
mother in general this is a high-risk, high-needs population.”
“Financial difficulty and stress are two of the biggest hurdles
affecting single moms today. Single moms adopt for themselves
many unhealthy practices and stressful compromises in order to
provide better for their children. These are women at risk.”

10. Quotes from Dr. Ellen Lipman
Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University
“Single Moms are vulnerable, struggling with issues such as poverty,
poor health, depression, family stress and homelessness.”
“Their children are at increased risk of emotional and behavioral
problems, academic failure and social difficulties."
"Compared with mothers in 2-parent families, single mothers
experience higher levels of depression and family stress.“
“Many of these women do not get the help that they need,
as it is inaccessible or too expensive."

11. "Although I am not yet a single mom, I have been going
through tumultuous times with my husband. The process of
ending my marriage after 13 years is extremely scary. It’s a
relief to know there's a support for me from others who have
already been through this stress…I will definitely be using your
group for support in the near future."

12. "After three years of being separated, as a single mom,
I still feel lost and lonely. I need answers to why I made
the biggest decision of my life, leaving an unsafe marriage,
just to feel less of a person. There must be more out there.
I need tools to continue on and I need to find some way to
be proud of myself.”

13. Single Moms feel…
lost+lonely+scared

15. INCITE
A Single Moms Support Group
to support, to encourage, to inspire, to raise, to advocate

17. INCITE A Single Moms Support Group:
• Is filling a gap in the system
• Is unique
• Is providing affordable and accessible solutions
• Is specifically designed for single moms by single moms
• Is making our community a better place to live

18. Mission Statement
We are an organization that raises up single moms and their
children in our community by offering support, encouragement,
guidance, direction and opportunities for empowerment.

19. Programs & Services
• Weekly Support Meetings
• A Children’s Program
• Monthly Social Outings
• Monthly Philanthropy Events
• A Focus on Healthy Living
• Affordable Advice
• Good Samaritan Program
• A Mentor Program
• One-on-one consultations

21. Weekly Support Meetings
• Open discussion
• A Mentor Program
• Small Group Discussions
• Guest Speakers
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Snacks & Beverages

22. Guest Speakers
• Financial Advisors
• Lawyers and Legal Mediators
• Therapists
• Public Health Nurses
• Inspirational Speakers
• Nutritionists and Fitness Experts
• Psychologists
• Spiritual Workshops
• Career Counselors
• Health Experts
• Image Consultants
• Entrepreneurs
• Other Community Organizations & Services

23. Children’s Program
• 8 Core Values
• A Focus on Citizenship & Community
• Fitness
• Enrichment: Art, Music, Drama
• Healthy Snack

24. Our 8 Core Values
“I’m a Super Kid!”
• I am respectful to myself and others!
• I am honest!
• I am caring!
• I am responsible!
• I make good choices!
• I stand up for what is right!
• I am healthy!
• I am a team player!

25. Board of Directors
• Jackie Holmes, Early Childhood Education Specialist
• Cathy Weatherston, Marketing & Sales
• Rick Perry, Executive Director, Horizon Counseling

26. Community Volunteers &
Advisors
• Brian Posavad, VP, YMCA
• Karmel Sakran, Sakran Law
• Jeff Lewis, Deloitte
• Thomson Scarlett, Therapist
• Dayaria Kapfunde, Children’s Aid
• Jack Costigan, Rotary
• Sandra Strauss, Life Coach
• Rick Burgess, Burgess Law
• Paulette Laidlaw, Psychologist
• David Armstrong, CMHA
• Lesley Megarry, YMCA
• Erika Norris, Halton Health Unit
• Shirley Molloy, Salvation Army

27. Community Supporters
• YMCA
• Salvation Army
• Rotary
• Halton Women’s Shelter
• Shifra Homes
• Optimist Club
• St Vincent de Paul
• The Compassion Society
• Horizon Counseling
• Aldershot Hub
• Cause 4 Courage
• Time Out Ladies
• Central Library
• Bethel Community Church
• Burlington Baptist Church
• Wellington Square Church
• Central Public School
• St Luke’s Anglican Church
• Knights of Columbus
• Ozone 21

28. Our History
• Held a Focus Group at the Ron Edwards Family YMCA in March
2011, with over 40 single moms in attendance and thrilled to “have
a voice for the first time!”
• Launched programs in Burlington, ON in April 2011, including
Weekly Support Meetings, a Children’s Program, Social Outings,
Philanthropy Events, Healthy Living Events and Affordable Advice.
• Have touched over 200 lives since April 2011!
• Created a Steering and Advisory Committee
• Added a Good Samaritan Program, based on the needs of the
single mom
• Developed a Board of Directors
• In 3rd stage of registering as a charity

29. What’s New?
• Designed an agenda specifically for single
moms, focusing on what kind of difference you
can make in your life, in only 365 days, taking
stock, goal setting and moving forward.
• April 2012 launching INCITELive! A recorded and
broadcast show specifically for single mom, with
guest speakers, interviews and round table
discussions.
• Workshops in 2012!

30. Philanthropy Events
• 30 Single Moms Volunteered at Rotary’s Ribfest
• “Fed the Homeless” at Good Neighbor Shelter, Toronto
• Donated Blood, Canadian Blood Services
• Volunteered at Salvation Army Toy Drive
• 50 volunteers for “Extreme Makeover” at the Shifra Home
• Talent Show and Games at Post & Village Long Term Home
• Move and makeover of Compassion Society
• Amazing Bed Race
• Burlington Santa Clause Parade
• Host annual Community Swaps

31. Annual Swaps
 Annual Clothing Swap at Aldershot Hub, August
 Annual Book Swap at Central Public School, June
 Annual Toy Swap at Burlington Baptist Church, November
 Annual Sports Equipment Swap at St Luke’s Hall, March
Swap your items for free or just come shopping!
Benefits: Reduce, reuse, recycle!
Goal: Helping others and working together as a community!

33. Social Outings
• Annual Beach Bar-B-Que
• Camp Wanakita Family Weekend Retreat
• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Ontario Science Center
• Bird Kingdom
• Black Creek Pioneer Village
• Amazing Adventure Playland
• Great Wolf Lodge
• Mysteriously Yours Murder Mystery Dinner
• Annual Family Picnic, La Salle Park
• Deuling Pianos
• Christmas Party
• Greg Frewin Magic Show

34. A Focus on
Healthy Living
• Weekly Walk N’ Talks, Spencer Smith Park
• Weekly Skate N’ Talks, Spencer Smith Park
• Cooking Classes
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Health Day Workshops
• Agenda
• Guest Speakers
• Affordable Advice
• Spiritual Workshops
• Mental Health Workshops
• YMCA Events

35. Workshops for 2012
• So You Are A First Time Mom…Now What?
• Moms Who Have Survived Abuse
• Helping Your Children Through Separation, Divorce or Loss
In partnership with Rick Perry of Horizon Counseling, Paulette Laidlaw, Psychologist and
Dayaria Kapfunde, Social Worker of Children’s Aid.

36. Events with Community
Partners
• Delivered homemade dinners and gifts to 20 single mom families at
Christmas, through Cause 4 Courage
• Toy Drive through the Rotaract
• Toy Drive through McMillan Public School
• Christmas Party thanks to the Time Out Ladies
• Spa Day at ThinkSpot
• Camp Wanakita Weekend Retreat through the YMCA
• Snacks and Beverages thanks to the Salvation Army

37. How We Have Helped
• Helped a Mom get emergency housing and away from abuse
• Helped a Mom get Child Care so she wouldn’t lose her business
• Helped a Mom get a double stroller so she could get around
• Helped a Mom get a bed and bedding for her son who didn’t
have any bedroom furniture
• Visited a Mom in hospital while she was paralyzed, got her son
daycare to relieve her parents
• Surprised a family at Christmas with Christmas gifts, who had
nothing
• Cleaned and de-hourded a Mom’s apt, so she could function with
her special needs son and her business
• Cleaned and organized a Mom’s townhouse so she wouldn’t lose
her housing
• Provided emergency funds to a Mom that was about to lose
everything
• One-on-one consultations with Moms that are struggling

38. In The Media
• 9 Interviews on TVCogeco’s FYI Program
• 7 Interviews on CHML AM 900, Scott Thompson Show
• 6 Articles/Ads in the Burlington Post
• 2 Articles in the Hamilton Spectator
• Two time guest on Mom U
• Article in Glow Magazine
• 2 Articles in Snap Magazine
• Wrote a blog for Halton Parents Advisory Committee
• Wrote Article for Heatlhy Schools, Halton Health
• Interviewed for book through Ally Book company
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39. Presentations in the
Community
• Rotary Central
• Rotary Lakeshore
• Rotary North
• Rotary Club
• Rotaract
• Optimist Club
• Burlington Baptist Church
• St Vincent de Paul
• Knights of Columbus
• Halton Parent Advisory Committee
• Aldershot Business Committee
• Healthy Schools, Halton
• Our Kids Network
• Halton

40. Testimonials
"Since joining Incite, not only have I benefited from this group but so has
my son. He is slowly coming out of his shell and making friends…I have
never left an INCITE meeting without learning something new…I feel like we
are a family and that there is always someone to talk to. It is nice to know
that we are not alone anymore. We have each other, we have INCITE.”
A Member

41. Does INCITE truly make a
difference?
Our single moms are…
 Laughing and smiling again
 No longer feel alone
 Are making healthier choices
 Have a support system
 Are moving forward
 Are giving back and helping others
 Are getting the help that they need
 Are flourishing and are empowered
 Their children are developing more assets, a sense of
community and learning about being a good citizen

42. Testimonials
" As single moms, we definitely have unique challenges and struggles,
but we also have wonderful lives to celebrate and much to give back.
This organization fosters single mothers like myself, providing us with the
support system and tools that we need to face daily struggles, strengthen
tour family dynamics and flourish in all aspects of our life.”

43. Testimonials
“Since being involved with Incite, I have felt a sense of pride of being
connected to such a worthwhile program. This is a program I believe
Burlington has needed for some time now, thank you to Beth Hudson for
bringing this program to life.”
A Member

44. How Your Donation Can
Help…
Your $200 donation…
• Can support a single mom family for an entire year through INCITE
services
• Can provide social outings, professional advice, yoga, meditation,
weekly support meetings, walk n’ talks and guest speakers for the
mom.
• Can provide a program for the child to go to, including mentors, a
focus on values, citizenship and community, art/music/drama classes,
and fitness activities.

45. How Your Donation
Can Help…
Your $500 donation…
• Can support an entire family to attend a single moms weekend retreat
in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands at Camp Wanakita
• Includes transportation, accommodations, meals, hiking, mental
health workshops, adventure activities, boating, archery, ropes, and
campfires.

46. How Your Donation
Can Help…
Your $1000 donation…
• Support our Social Outing Programs
• Includes: Beach Barbecues, Picnics, Art Galleries,
Museums, Parks, Amusement Parks, Sports,
Entertainment, Nature Events, Science Centers, etc.

47. How Your Donation
Can Help…
Your $2000 donation…
• Support our Healthy Living Events
• Includes: Walk N’ Talks, Skate N’ Talks, yoga, meditation
classes, cooking classes, library events, affordable
professional advice, counseling, life coaching, guest
speakers and workshops, fitness activities, mental health
events, Health Days, YMCA Events, Legal Clinics,
financial counseling, etc.

48. How Your Donation
Can Help…
Your $5000 donation…
• Support our Children’s Program
• Includes: Qualified staff, a mentor program, healthy
snacks, fitness activities, relaxation classes, crafts, a
focus on core values, citizenship and community, art,
music, drama, songs, circles, stories, leader-in-training
program, daycare, etc.

49. How Your Donation
Can Help…
Only $20 for a FREE Agenda
We can provide Single Moms in our community free agendas,
to help them to move forward and make their life their own. It includes:
Legal Questions and Answers Budgeting Tips
Inspiration Journaling
A Focus On Healthy Living Tips, tools and guidance
Help in the Community Taking Time for You
Goal Setting An Inspirational Poster
Money Saving Opportunities

51. Agendas
What Kind of Difference Can You Make in Your Life in only 365 Days?
• Easy Step by Step Direction on How To Change Your Life!
• Letting Go of the Negative!
• Taking Stock of Where You Are At!
• Identifying What Areas You Want to Change in Your Life!
• Creating Baby Steps!
• Moving Forward!

52. Thank You
For Your Support!
This is a wonderful opportunity to partner to help families in our
community.
“Single Moms” is a huge demographic, that is growing and in-need.
INCITE A Single Moms Support Group is offering support
encouragement, guidance, direction and opportunities of
empowerment.
With your help,
we can touch more lives and make our services more affordable
for all single moms in our community.

53. Thank You
For Your Consideration!
For more information about INCITE A Single Moms Support Group,
please visit our website at:
www.incitesinglemoms.com
To donate and help us to continue our worthwhile Programs in
Burlington, please visit:
http://www.incitesinglemoms.com/apps/donations/
To add your e-mail to our Good Samaritan Program list, please
forward your email to singlemoms@live.ca.

54. Contact Information
Beth Hudson
Founder & President
INCITE A Single Moms Support Group
Office: Upper Canada Place
460 Brant Street, 3rd Floor
Suite 368
Burlington, ON
L7R 4B6
Phone: 905.592.9721
Web: www.incitesinglemoms.com
E-mail: singlemoms@live.ca
Twitter: INCITESingleMom
Facebook: INCITE Single Moms Support Group