I love November, and not just because it's my birthday month, but because I love this time of the year when we focus specifically on the things that we are grateful for in our lives.  I'm convinced that if we want to feel the spirit, one of the easiest ways to do this is to simply count your many blessings!  Like you, I am filled with gratitude for so many of the wonderful blessings in my life.  But there was a time when I didn't feel this way…

Many who read this blog are aware that I am a child of divorce, thus my passion for defending traditional marriage and strengthening families.  I mention this, because it is so much of who I am today, and what drives me to do much of what I do -- and particularly this blog.

My parents divorced when I was 10, and it left my mother single with three young daughters to provide for -- with no education, and no help.  The years between my mother's first marriage and her remarriage are the worst of my life -- so sad, that I rarely discuss it.  Much of this had to do with the fact that because my father was not around, my mother was left to do her best to put food in our mouths, and shelter over our heads.  During these four years of my childhood we had many moves from apartment to apartment (literal dives) and very little in our cupboards.  We were not active in the LDS Church, and so we did not benefit by any kind of available assistance.  Because my mother was always working at a low paying job, we rarely saw her and were little cared for, to put it mildly.

When I became aware of this month's sponsored service project to give back to single moms, through the LDS Philanthropies Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it touched my heart deeply, and I just knew I had to get involved.  And I knew that many of you would, too.  So, let me tell you a little bit about this wonderful project to give back, to those currently less fortunate than you and I…

During the month of November, the LDS Philanthropies Department of the Church is partnering with LDS Business College, to provide four full-tuition (and books) scholarships for single parents.  And LDS Philanthropies is partnering with Mormon Bloggers to accomplish this goal!  Through the use of Social Media we intend to assist in getting the word out to as many as possible, to help in the collecting of donations, via our blogs, etc..

Over the next few weeks I'll introduce you to some of these well deserving students/parents from LDS Business College -- to help give you a better feel for how what we are doing to give back, will bless these families tremendously!

A few statistics about single moms (and some dads):

• 28 percent of children now live with just one parent.
• 40% of children under 18 experience a parental breakup.
• 90% of single parent families are headed by females.
• Single moms with children have the highest poverty rates.
• 60% of children living in mother-only families are impoverished.
• Single moms are more likely to be poor because of lower earning capacity.
• Single moms median income is only about 25% what a married couple make.

Why LDS Business College:


• LDS Business College has developed an approach to help single parents, especially
women, improve their earning potential.
• Single parents at LDSBC use scholarship funds to pay tuition, books and other fees.
• Students enroll in one of six career-oriented programs: accounting, business,
computers, medical careers, interior design, or office technology.
• LDSBC has placed 90% of its graduates.
• Each students is assigned a faculty mentor.

How can YOU help?


Donate (whatever you can) via the widget in this post or use the one on the right-hand side bar.

Listen to Megan's story...

Pass this information along on your own blog.

Share the link to this post on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc...
(please use the hash tag #GiveOhGive when posting on Twitter)

You will hear more about this fundraising project throughout this coming month.  I'll update you on the fundraising details and progress, as well continue to encourage you to help share this information.  As I said previously, counting our blessings is a wonderful way to instantly feel the spirit, but helping those less fortunate than ourselves, brings a spirit into our lives that is constant.  I feel sure that for those of us who will do whatever we can to help give back to these struggling parents, and ultimately their children, an extra special spirit of the season is sure to attend our lives.

Give Oh Give! (if everyone that is able were to give even just $5.00, imagine the good we could do together! :)


tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs
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