Being a mom is hard work— even when you have a present and supportive husband, encouraging family, and a church community.

I can’t imagine doing it all on my own.

But as of 2024, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center, 34% of children in Illinois are living in a single-parent household.

In addition to this, the U.S. Census Bureau in 2022 reported that 80% of single-parent homes are led by a single mom.

The challenges that single moms face are overwhelming from financial stress, safe housing, childcare, and much more.

This is why Fellowship Housing exists.

Fellowship Housing is a Christian organization that provides a 2-year program for single moms that is designed to help them regain dignity and stability in a variety of different ways.

“When moms reach out to us, they’re often in the middle of eviction, couch hopping, staying in a hotel, living in a shelter or their car. Fellowship Housing provides more than just a roof—it offers stability, dignity, and a new path forward. With safe housing, financial coaching, and a community that believes in them, moms find hope and begin to rebuild. And when moms thrive, so do their children.

We believe breaking the cycle of poverty starts with two things: housing and education. Fellowship Housing is here to make both possible, empowering today’s moms, their children and generations to come.”

The Illinois Family Institute has spoken and written extensively on the damage that occurs when children are raised in a fatherless home including:

• Higher risk of poverty,
• Higher rates of school dropout,
• Higher rates of incarceration for boys,
• Higher rates of sexual promiscuity for girls,
• Higher rates of teen pregnancy,
• Heightened rates of substance abuse, and
• Heightened risk of suicide.

As Christians, we are to be people that are marked by our compassion, care and generosity towards others – especially towards children who are growing up in fatherless homes. In Psalm 68:5, God declares that He is a “Father to the fatherless.”

If we are to live out the second greatest commandment and combat the damage that occurs in the fatherless crisis America is facing, it is imperative that we as believers support moms and children who find themselves without a husband/father for a variety of different reasons.

“Fellowship Housing gave me a place of my own that I could afford. For the very first time in my life, I had a place to go that I could call home. I’ve learned how to accept wisdom, guidance, love, and help from others. Seeing my son grow in this stable and loving environment is the largest blessing my heart has every felt.”

– Testimonial from Kyree

Click here to learn more about how you can help Fellowship Housing’s mission to minister to single moms.