In a world where so many single moms struggle to raise our future generations, there was a lack in the resources for women raising young men. Dionne sought and created a solution. Single Parent Connection stemmed from her own struggles as a mom who was raising a son alone.
Single parenting isn’t easy. The challenges she experienced as a single mom are what fueled the passion for wanting to make a difference in the lives of other single parents who are struggling.
Meet Dionne Brown, the Founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, Single Parent Connection, Inc.
Dionne’s official journey of helping single parents began in 2016, using money that she saved Dionne started a project called “Living in Your Purpose”. Dionne used this vessel to sell t-shirts and wristbands to raise money to provide emergency assistance for single parents in her community.
Helping single parents in this way warmed her heart, but Dionne knew there was a need for so much more. In 2018, the nonprofit organization Single Parent Connection Inc. was established. Single Parent Connection Inc.’s mission is to improve self-sufficiency and strengthen single parent families through education, empowerment, and support. There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. The goal of Single Parent Connection, Inc., is to help single parents “learn how to fish”.
Dionne’s organization offers Smart Money Management workshops, teaching single parents how to use credit responsibly and how to create and follow a budget. Other programming includes a “Boys to Men” summer program which teaches important life skills to boys ages 12-18 that are being raised by a single parent. Single Parent Connection, Inc also offers a continuing education scholarship for single parents, toiletry and necessity assistance, school supply assistance, a single parent Christmas party and more!
As the child of a single parent and current head of a single parent household, Single Parent Connection, Inc. is truly a labor of love for her. Dionne has used her personal experiences and pain to provide a unique perspective and personal connection to the families we serve. She feels blessed to be serving in her purpose and to have been able to start an organization that provides the opportunity to be the “someone for those who have no one”
The biggest challenge throughout this process is staying encouraged during the steps of building an organization from the ground up. In Dionne’s own words “Speaking honestly…THIS IS HARD WORK!” Making all the pieces come together, trying not to become overwhelmed, establishing the right connections, serving in multiple roles, and trying to get others to see and support this vision are all challenges that she has faced as a nonprofit leader. The job can be emotionally and physically draining, but there’s no better feeling than seeing the fruits of your labor and knowing that you are helping people who need the services you’re working so hard to provide. The smiles on the faces of the families we serve makes it all worthwhile.
How does she know that this is her purpose? Her calling? Easy, her greatest professional and personal accomplishments intertwine. Being the founder of a nonprofit organization that is working to provide Help, Hope and Healing for single parent families throughout Indianapolis has been her greatest professional accomplishment, and her greatest personal accomplishment is raising a son alone who grew up to be a God fearing, caring, compassionate and intelligent young man. She was able to show him through her strength, determination, and prayer that it’s never too late to achieve your goals and he was cheering her on as she earned her college degree in 2016 after dropping out of college in 1996. You should have seen the tears that were flowing on graduation day!
Dionne hopes that Single Parent Connection Inc. and its impact will continue to grow well into the future. “I envision a future where we have a location that allows us to increase our programming, serve more families and continue establishing a connection with the families we currently serve”.
How can you help or get more info about Single Parent Connection, Inc.? Through their our website at singleparentconnection.org or via email at info@singleparentconnection.org.
Have you been thinking of starting your own nonprofit or community programming but scared to take the first steps? Dionne’s advice is “Every person can make a huge difference no matter how small they feel it may be. Any other information you would like to share? People often feel like they don’t have ENOUGH to make a difference (i.e., not good enough, not smart enough, not enough money, etc.) Making a difference doesn’t have to require much… just your time, passion, and a heart for helping others. If you see someone trying to help others, JOIN THEM. If you see a need for a program or service in your community, START ONE. Things don’t get better through complaints and suggestions…CHANGE REQUIRES ACTION. Be willing to step up, get involved, and help move the needle on addressing social issues. You have everything you need to be an agent for change, all it takes is the courage to do so.”
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