A Christian non-profit, based in Lakeland, is expanding to offer more housing for single mothers and their children.
In May 2024, Natalie Garcia was pregnant with her second child and homeless.
The following month, she was accepted into the Single Moms program at One More Child and has been living on campus for nearly a year so she can get back on her feet.
“A big relief because they don’t charge you rent. They charge a small fee every month to be able to provide for us,” said Garcia. “They help out with childcare, food, diapers, wipes. They help us out with a lot.”
There are currently around 20 units for single moms and their children on the campus located at 1015 Sikes Blvd.
On Tuesday morning, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to add six new homes to provide more families with a path to long-term independence and self-sufficiency.
Since 1960, the number of single-parent households has nearly tripled around the country, according to the CEO of One More Child, Stephen Robert.
“Here in Polk County, 80% of single moms don’t have enough income to provide for basic necessities for their families, and so we feel called to step in to that space and be able to provide those services to allow them to flourish,” he said.
The second phase of the project includes the ‘Grounds for Grace Center, a two-story, 23,000 sq. ft. building in the heart of campus.
The center will offer job and life skills training, advocacy, anti-human trafficking education, and other services for single moms.
Garcia will be moving out soon as the Single Moms program only lasts a year. She calls it a true blessing.
“We feel we get forgotten about and people don’t want to help us because we’re single moms, but it takes a village, and we help each other out,” said Garcia.
One More Child hopes to have the new homes built by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
The ‘Grounds for Grace Center’ is expected to begin construction during the first half of next year.