As single mothers, we often found ourselves discussing our fears and concerns—particularly around limited resources and finances. These challenges made it difficult to consistently provide shelter, childcare, and daily necessities for our children.

Despite these worries, we were united by our love for our children and a shared understanding that we needed to support one another however we could to make it through. From the time our children were infants through their young adulthood, our financial hardships pushed us to lean on each other in many ways.

We shared housing at one point and regularly relied on one another for emotional support, transportation, childcare, and help navigating our children’s educational journeys. We collaborated on job searches and tapped into any available resources that could help us stay afloat.

Over time, our mutual support evolved. We began sharing what we had learned — and the resources we found — with our immediate families and inner community. We saw firsthand how simple, thoughtful gestures could make a meaningful impact. Something as small as loaning a gently used prom dress could save a single mother $100–$300 — a savings that could make a real difference in her life. These experiences inspired us to turn our passion for supporting parents into something bigger: a nonprofit outreach platform called Mommy in the Middle.