Our Mission Continues

This past year saw tremendous growth for the Shepherd’s Village Ministry but, more importantly, for the single mothers we serve! Our team continues moving ahead, seeking new opportunities to be a solid resource for all single moms and their children.

As we expand our reach, please join us in prayer that these resources move far beyond our doors to all single mothers worldwide. Our goal is to become an even stronger support for both single mothers and our local churches.

Growth, Success, and a Solid Plan for the Future –
2022 Gala Highlights

The Shepherd’s Village mission is clear – to help single mothers and their children face their future with confidence. Through our podcast, Facebook group, scholarship opportunities, Shepherd’s Village University courses, the Learning Center, and blog, the Shepherd’s Village ministry has helped countless families find community, healing, hope, and a healthy future.

Shepherd’s Village’s annual Gala is a chance to celebrate growth before charging into the next year. It is an opportunity to gather and honor the work completed as we strive to continue helping single mothers and their children face their future with confidence.

April’s Top 10 in 10

To kick off the Gala, Shepherd’s Village Executive Director April McKnight reflected on the successful work that shaped this past year’s growth at Shepherd’s Village.

This is our recap of April’s Top 10 in 10:

April is honored to officially be our new Executive Director. We all know Shepherd’s Village is in good hands!
Our annual Gala saw a bit of a makeover with a new venue and date! Thank you to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for making our Gala even more special!
Shepherd’s Village University, our faith-based online learning center, welcomed 1,017 new enrollments! Single mothers are taking back control of their lives through our free courses: Essential Life Skills, Financial Freedom, Healthy Parenting, and Spiritual Wisdom.
The “It’s a Single Mom Thing” Podcast, hosted by Sherry Chandler, gained over 4,000 downloads on seven continents! We’re creating a worldwide community of single moms!
Living Hope Church has a heart for single mothers. When they reached out asking to host a Backyard Bible Club VBS for the kids of the Village, how could we say no?! Through music, crafts, and play, our kids found fellowship and learned the good news of Christ. What a special event!
We truly believe that Mentorship Matters. We believe in creating meaningful connections that impact and influence growth in others. Under Phyllis Alderman’s guidance, 15 new mentors were trained at our Learning Center!
Partnerships with local churches are invaluable to Shepherd’s Village. This year, we continued strengthening our relationship with Indian Rocks Baptist Church while connecting with even more community churches – Grace Family Church, Life Bridge, Calvary Chapel Palm Harbor, and First Baptist New Port Richey.
Moms are dreaming again! 100% of our moms are enrolled in school, starting new businesses, or receiving promotions. One mom is even working on her Habitat for Humanity home! These amazing women are definitely facing their future with confidence!
Shabby to Chic proved that every purchase has a purpose with its highest earning year to date! This little boutique has done big things for our Village!
Finally, our 11th unit opened with 100% in-kind donations! This new residence will be a place of hope and healing for another mother and her children!

There are so many reasons to celebrate how God is using the Shepherd’s Village ministry in our community. April’s Top 10 in 10 just scratches the surface.

And the Winners are…

At Shabby to Chic, every purchase has a purpose! Since 2012, our thrifty boutique has awarded over $55,000 in academic scholarships to resident moms. Second-generation scholarships are also given for their children’s academic pursuits. In June, moms participating in the program were able to apply for a scholarship towards continuing education, technology support, books, and more. These funds give moms the support they need to open new businesses, get their bachelor’s or master’s degree, learn a new trade, and pursue their dreams again.

Meet our two scholarship winners who are pursuing their educational goals!

Adelyn and Abigail
Door #8

My name is Adelyn. I have a 3-year-old daughter named Abigail. We have lived at Shepherd’s Village since Thanksgiving of November 2020. Before coming to Shepherd’s Village, I faced a very difficult marriage with someone who did not want to see good things happen for my daughter and me. My mom happened upon Shepherd’s Village while doing an online search back when I had separated from my ex-husband. I stayed in touch with Susan for quite a long time throughout COVID. After meeting with Susan and April when an apartment opened, I was able to begin my time here.

Phyllis is such an inspiration, and I just love and respect her for her strength and also the inspiration that she can bring to people’s lives. While at Shepherd’s Village, I have been able to focus time on my daughter and myself, living a life that we can be proud of. Because of this, I decided to make career moves and plan my finances appropriately. I am currently a full-time online student for my Master’s degree in Business Administration, and I will graduate in June 2023. The support and love here have been much appreciated. This is a nice place in a nice area and has been a great place for me to be able to get my life for my daughter and myself back on the right and positive track.

I received scholarship money for interior design certification and money toward my Master's degree. The resources that support the lives of single mothers here to create the best life possible for their families are truly admirable. Thank you!

Sandi
Door #6

I am very grateful to have received the Shepherd's Village scholarship to help grow my CPR business. My time at the village has been such an amazing time of spiritual and personal growth. It's hard to believe how much I have changed and come to see my value and worth in the eyes of Christ versus the unappreciated and discarded wife I was when I first arrived.

Shepherd’s Village has allowed me the time and resources to grow more deeply in my relationship with Christ and is helping me to be an even better mother. This scholarship will allow me to grow my newly established CPR business and help me to support myself and my children in the future. I am excited to see how much further I will be refined and grow in my remaining time at the village.

Thank you so much to all the supporters of Shepherds Village. Your love and generosity are truly life-changing.