A Look at 2023: What’s Next?
“....take courage, ‘declares the Lord,’ and work; for I am with you.” Haggai 2:4
The Shepherd’s Village family is charging into the new year full of excitement as we expand, anticipating the life-changing efforts to be accomplished in 2023! Goals are in place as we seek guidance from God for “What's Next” to help single moms and their children face their future with confidence.
Goals for the New Year
Expanding our Reach to Single Dads
We know firsthand the challenges of raising children as a solo parent. And while our focus has been, and will continue to be, on single mothers, single fathers need resources too.
This year we will expand our reach to single dads, sharing the good news of Christ while providing reliable resources that will move them in a new direction. Our podcast will reach new levels, including focus-forward conversations that both single moms and dads can relate to. “Single and Parenting” material will get a facelift, transitioning it from outdated to current, relevant, and relatable for single dads.
We know flying solo as a parent hurts, especially if you aren’t prepared for “what’s next” in this unexpected season of life. We invite all single parents to attend our first-ever Solo Parent Conference, “What’s Next?” This conference is for solo parents by solo parents who have walked this road before. (Note: Conference content will be available via Shepherd’s Village University for those not in attendance.) Click here for more event information and to register.
Becoming the “Single” Resource for Solo Parents
Ultimately, everything we do is focused on building a bridge of support between single parents, churches, and the community. New doors are opening to accomplish this great task, and we are excited to share what is coming in the months ahead:
“Hope and Help” - This year-round support group at Indian Rocks Baptist Church is designed to help single parents get through what they are walking through. The group meets every Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Register today and learn more about how you will flourish through Hope and Help.
Open Table Event - Often, churches don’t have the funding or dedicated staff that understand the many needs of single parents, nor do they have the resources to walk alongside them. The purpose of our on-site Open Table event is to bring awareness to Pastors and Single Ministry staff from local churches about Shepherd’s Village’s services. Providing this education will ultimately create a bridge of support to single parents in their church.
Co-Parenting Coaches - The Shepherd’s Village staff strives to be fully equipped as a faithful resource for single mothers. To deepen this cause, every Shepherd’s Village staff member will gain certification as a co-parenting coach in the curriculum of “Co-parenting: One Heart. Two Homes.”
Class Expansion - Our Tuesday night “Life Skills” class will grow to include non-residents of the Village. This exciting course will be centered on “Building Bridges To Healing of Life Choices & Hope For The Future.”
Website Addition - As we seek practical ways to be the leading resource for single mothers in our community and beyond, it makes sense to add a “Resources” page to our website. The page will include reliable and responsible information connecting single parents to other support agencies (WIC, Habitat for Humanity, Celebrate Recovery, Support Groups, Clothes for Kids, Clerk of Circuit Court Help Desk, local food pantries, and Singles Ministries.)
Industry Collaboration - Continuing with offering practical support, we will collaborate with industry-leading experts in financial and estate planning, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Career and Life Coaches to provide even more resources for single mothers.
More Ways to be Part of Our Village
Shepherd’s Village is grateful for our Village of Support. This year, we want to be even more donor-centric, bringing those with the heart to give closer to “the scene.”
Progressive Dinners - These intimate events will showcase the exciting changes in our Village. Mocktails will be enjoyed in the recently renovated one-bedroom Unit #10, followed by a formal dinner in our two-bedroom Unit#8, and then dessert in Unit #4, the soon-to-be renovated “Stay and Play Whole Family Learning Center.”
“Pray. Bless. Support” Prayer Event - Donors and church families are invited to come to The Village for a special door-to-door prayer time over our Village's single moms and children.
More Tours - As a privately donor-funded ministry, we’ve made sure each dollar is spent with the whole family’s healing in mind. We invite donors to tour the Village, witnessing the intentionality behind every apartment’s design. Our doors will be open every second and fourth Wednesday of the month! See how each unit is a place of rest for the single mother - different from the stereotype that comes with a “housing” program.
Annual Gala - We hosted our first sold-out Gala last year at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium! Thanks to increased social media, website, and Shabby to Chic traffic, 75% of the guests in attendance were new donors to the Village! We look forward to our return to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Saturday, September 9th, unveiling “What’s Next” for the village in 2024 and beyond!
Even More Excitement
God is using the Shepherd’s Village family for even more in 2023! Here are a few other projects we are working on:
Children’s Learning Center Renovation - Children going through the divorce process need a safe place to be free and express creativity through painting, drawing, and interactive play. Play is especially important for children who have experienced difficult life events or past trauma. To aid in their emotional healing and development, we are excited to transform our Children’s Learning Center into a “Stay and Play” Whole Family Healing & Learning Center!
Summer Vacation Bible School - Our kids of The Village cannot wait for VBS this year as we partner once again with Living Hope Church for this memorable event!
Shabby to Chic - At Shabby to Chic, every purchase has a purpose. This was evident in 2022 when we closed the year with $88,000 in sales - a 25% increase from 2021 and a new record! Our 2023 goal is to increase sales by 20%, providing even more hardship scholarships for single mothers and their families.
Back to School Collection - Stay tuned for more details about this July outreach event to help single mother-led families in Tampa bay!
National Nonprofit Day - Shabby to Chic is a nonprofit organization that supports Shepherd’s Village! Come show your support on August 15th from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm as we raise awareness of “what’s in store” for the opportunities to help single mothers and their children with hardship scholarships! More details to follow.
There are countless ways to get involved with Shepherd’s Village in 2023! Whether you are a donor, a single mother, or completely new to our mission, we want to meet you! Schedule a tour, learn more about who we are, and discover ways you can serve single mothers in our community.
A Message to the Mamas
To all the brave, beautiful, and bold single mothers out there, we encourage you to use 2023 to find your community at the Village! Be encouraged, get equipped, and surround yourself with other mothers who understand YOU. It may be a single mom thing, but it doesn’t have to be the single thing that stops you! Take courage and seek the Lord for what's next in your solo journey. Being a single mother is hard, and we are here to help you face your future with confidence.