Stephanie

“I’ve been a part of the Single Parent Outreach Program since 1993. I live in Roxbury. Single Parent Family Outreach has meant a lot to me because they have inspired me to be the very best that I can be. They have encouraged and uplifted me as a single parent. I just want to thank them for all they have done for my family and me. I have two children, a ten year old and a five year old. They also have been a part of the Single Parent Family Outreach Program.”

Susie

“I live in the South End of Boston. I’ve been in Single Parent Family Outreach for 11 years now, and I enjoy it. It makes me happy. It makes me get up and go when I don’t feel like going. I enjoy it. And the president (Arlisha Johnson), I enjoy her. If I can’t attend the Single Parent Family Outreach Program, it means that I’m sick, because I love the Single Parent Outreach Program. It means so much, so much to me. I tell people about it…to try and get them to come and enjoy it.”

Linda

“I have been with Single Parent Family Outreach for over five years, and I really enjoy it. What it has done for me is help me with my niece and nephew. My sister didn’t have time to fill in…come to the meetings and stuff, so I stood in as a mother and I love it. I live in the South End of Boston, which I love. My nephew is 15 years old. My niece is five, and I bring them to the meetings and they enjoy it.”

Patricia

“I’ve been coming to Single Parent Family Outreach Program for about three years. I live in Jamaica Plain. The Single Parent Outreach Program has helped me with my great-grandchildren. I am 67 years old. The school my great-grandson attends is in Brookline. He’s 10 years old. My great-grandson is a very active child and Single Parent Outreach calms him down and he’s very anxious to come when I say it’s time to attend the program.”

Shaccera

“I have been coming to Single Parent Outreach since I was a little girl. I can’t remember exactly, but maybe since I was six or seven. I live in Roxbury/Mission Hill, just up the street. I like coming here because everyone is of one faith, and one belief, so it’s nice to be around people who believe in the same thing as you do, who can be like family when your mom is at school. I’m 17 years old and go to Boston Community Leadership Academy. I have an older brother and a younger sister. My brother comes to Single Parent Family Outreach, but my sister doesn’t because she lives with my father. I want to be an author and a chef. I think Single Parent Family Outreach helps because they make you think you can do things. I like to write and they have people who can help me do that.”

Pauline

“I like the spiritual results that you get from Single Parent Outreach Program. And also I like the idea that there are people helping people. I’ve been coming to the Single Parent Outreach Program for at least 15 years. It’s helpful just to be with people that are trying to help somebody, who are interested in helping somebody else. No violence. Just doing what’s best for the children. That’s Single Parent Family Outreach.”

Valerie

“I’ve been coming to the Single Parent Family Outreach Program for about a year. I live in the Bromley Heath Jamaica Plain Projects. The program helps me with (my) family and it helps me provide different things like clothing and food for my family. It also helps out with other things that we need. My family consists of my three children and my three grandchildren.”

Hope

A single mother of a 4-year old daughter, Hope said that since she began coming to SPFO 3 years ago, she has learned things from other parents and has felt that she doesn’t have to worry because people will help and encourage her. She said, “Being here is inspiration.”

Josh

“My job is to pick up food at Fair Foods in Boston once a month. I set up the area and make sure everything is in order before the meetings begin. I do all of this as a volunteer.”

“I basically want to just say that the best thing about SPFO is the way we’re able to come together and just provide help for other people…provide clothing, supplies, shelter. Also, we give members a chance to be with each other, to grow with a better understanding of how they can improve their lives. Not as a handout, but more like an instructional experience. For example, we can show them how to improve themselves and just share each other’s life experiences and what they have learned. It’s a classic example of community unity that you want to see in all communities, especially for minorities, or for that matter any group of people.”

Lennox

“I am a physical trainer, personal trainer, a nutritionist, and also a professional body builder. My wife is a part of the program. We started volunteering about three years ago, just basically trying to get the people to get involved with health and fitness, nutrition programs, weight training programs that basically are going to help them live longer. As for my experience, I have been doing this for over 20 years. I have my own facility in Westford. Sometime I wish that some of the people in Single Parent Family Outreach could come out there to get a workout. But the once a month time that I’m spending with Single Parent Outreach Program, it really helps a lot of them change their way of eating.”

“Since I’ve been coming to Single Parent Outreach Program weight loss has been kicking in. Monthly, the members bring me a food list and ask me what I can change in their diet. It really makes a big difference for me to actually spend my time doing this. Sometimes I get more out of volunteering here than when I actually get paid from a client for the services I render. I’m happy to be a part of Single Parent Family Outreach. My wife, and me, we’re very committed to this organization. They have made me the coordinator of the fitness program. I am so happy to work with these wonderful people.”