* Behind Every Door Is
A Story

Behind Every Door Is A Story

Blue door with trim, and the word 'Resilience' written on a gray background.

Every family’s journey is different, but none of them walk alone. Explore stories of….

The image shows the word 'Transformation' on a pink background with a circular inset of a blue door.
A graphic with a dark blue background featuring the word 'Hope' in large white letters and a small image of a bright blue door in a circular frame in the bottom right corner.

Watch a Journey Through the Village.

 
 

Behind Every Story Is A Real Family of Resilience

The characters in this video are fictional, but the circumstances are inspired by real families we've encountered through the years. Their journey represents the courage, resilience, and hope we see every day in single moms working to build a brighter future for their children.

Stories of Transformation

"My experience at Shepherd's Village has been a blessing to my family and me. I found the community I'd been looking for to help me along my journey as a single mom.

The classes are one of the biggest blessings. Whether you're going through divorce, financial struggles, homelessness, or simply need encouragement, faith, or help caring for your children, the classes are filled with practical information and hope.

I no longer felt alone because the women who were strangers at first have become my family. I know if I need them, they're there. The staff is a blessing, and you can't find a better group of women who will listen, encourage you, and help you and your family move forward to better days."

-LaTonya  
Life Development Class Participant

"Shepherd's Village became the village my children and I needed during one of the hardest seasons of our lives. Today, I'm honored to give back as a mentor and volunteer, encouraging moms who are walking a path I once walked. I'll never forget the hope, support, and love poured into our family, and now I have the privilege of helping pour that same hope into others."

- Sharyn, Door #5

"Growing up at Shepherd's Village, I watched my mom rebuild her life one step at a time. Today, seeing her confidence, strength, and faith—and watching my sisters find that same support—reminds me that Shepherd's Village doesn't just change one life. It changes generations."

— Anthony
Family standing in front of a Habitat for Humanity house with a sign that reads 'Future Home of the Family' and 'Pinellas Community Partnership.' The house is light blue with white trim and there is an American flag behind the family. The family consists of two children, a woman, and a young girl.

Stories of Hope

After years of bouncing from place to place, Mariah arrived at Shepherd’s Village hoping to give her children a sense of consistency she never had. Determined to create a better life, she embraced every class, resource, and opportunity offered. Now, she and her children are rooted in a home they can grow in for years to come-a space filled with laughter, learning, and lasting memories.

Mariah

Construction site with a woman standing behind a Habitat for Humanity banner, blank signs, building materials, and supplies on the ground.

Sandi

Sandi came to Shepherd’s Village exhausted, working multiple jobs and barely making enough to provide for her family. She longed for stability but had no margin to plan for the future. Through the support of subsidized rent, financial coaching, and a safe place to regroup, Sandi gained confidence and clarity. Today, she’s finally able to breathe in a home that’s hers-a place of rest, strength, and new beginnings.

Group of five people smiling outdoors, with two women holding a bouquet of flowers. They are standing on a sidewalk with a house and trees in the background.

Katie

Katie came to Shepherd’s Village after a long season of heartbreak and instability during COVID. Unsure of her next step, with a global shutdown, she leaned into the supportive community and found not only direction but healing. The day she walked into her new kitchen, she wept with gratitude. Today, Katie is raising her family in a place filled with love, faith, and promise for the future.

Every village has a beginning. Before there were programs, classes, and thousands of lives impacted, there was one woman who saw a need and believed something had to be done. Discover the story of Phyllis Alderman, the vision that started a village, and the faith that continues to impact generations of single moms and their kids today.

The Story Behind the Mission

Illustration of a smiling woman wearing glasses with comic-style text bubbles saying "SNAP!" and "OH YEAH!". A speech bubble states, "Arthur Ashe said it first. Phyllis said it for 32 years." Another message reads, "START WHERE YOU ARE. USE what you have do what you can!!!"
Colorful sticky notes with handwritten messages, including words like 'Trust in GOD!', 'Jesus LOVES you!', and encouraging notes in various colors.
A woman with short dark hair smiling and a young boy wearing a striped shirt and white hat standing outside.
Group of women, including two dressed as nurses and one as a nun, gathered in a living room, sitting on couches and the floor, reading books.
A boy with curly dark hair and freckles wearing a colorful shirt is decorating cookies with icing, standing at a table with decorated cookies.
A woman sitting on a sofa with two young girls in matching brown outfits, smiling and holding hands.
A woman with long brown hair and a white shirt is smiling and hugging a young boy with short hair, wearing a blue striped shirt and khaki pants, outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background.
A woman and young girl are preparing cookie dough together in a kitchen, with a rolling pin and cookie cutter on the counter.
Group photo of diverse women and children smiling indoors.
Group of diverse people gathered outdoors in front of a Habitat for Humanity sign, some smiling, some holding flowers, with a residential building and American flags in the background.
An adult man with gray hair, beard, glasses, and camouflage cap, helping a young boy in a gray T-shirt make cookies in a kitchen. The man is wearing a yellow shirt with multicolored text on the sleeve. The boy is pressing cookie cutters into dough on
A man giving a presentation or speech to a group of diverse women in a conference room. The room has a projector screen, a wooden podium, and a bulletin board with a world map and text.
Group of women gathered together, some with eyes closed, in a moment of prayer or reflection in an indoor setting.
Two women and a girl with curly hair, wearing a bicycle helmet, riding a red bike on the sidewalk in front of a house. The women are smiling and standing near a sign about Habitat for Humanity.
A woman and a young man are sitting at a table, with the woman smiling and looking at the young man, who is writing in a notebook.
Two women standing indoors, smiling at the camera. The woman on the left is holding a stamp and a notebook, wearing a pink blouse. The woman on the right is holding a set of yellow keys, wearing a black floral top. Behind them, a colorful sign with p
A woman with long red hair smiling while sitting next to a young girl with curly hair. They are indoors with a blue polka dots wall background.
Four children playing foosball outdoors, with two children on each side of the table, a girl with curly hair and a boy with straight hair wearing a blue Mario T-shirt.
A woman with curly hair and a young girl with braided hair standing near a boy with short hair, with a decorated table with cookies in the foreground.
Group of children and adults outdoors under a large tree, smiling for a photo, some children wearing Royals baseball jerseys.
Photo of a boy in a firefighter's uniform and helmet, standing next to a poster of a fireman.
A woman giving a presentation in a church setting, with a large screen behind her showing a video call. Presented to an audience sitting at tables with personal items, water bottles, and snacks, in a room with American flags and religious symbols.
People gathered outdoors during a casual event, some standing near a picnic table with boxed food, and others chatting or holding plates, with a large tree and a building with hanging plants in the background.
A group of people gathering outside under a shelter with tables of food and drinks, some sitting in chairs.
A diverse group of women and a man posing together indoors, some holding zebra-themed prizes, smiling and standing in a social or community event setting.
Group of women in purple Shepherd's Village University T-shirts holding certificates outside on a sidewalk in front of a building and a palm tree.
A young girl with blonde hair and green eyes smiling and reaching out her hands towards the camera.
A group of women gathered around an elderly woman holding a '25' sign, standing in front of a decorated Christmas tree indoors during a celebration.
Four women smiling and lying on the grass outdoors, holding letter blocks that spell 'HOPE' with trees and sunlight in the background.
Adults and children outdoors, engaging in a joyful activity. One woman is dancing or leading, while children are clapping and playing.
Group of women and children outdoors in a circle, holding hands and raising arms, smiling and enjoying the moment.
A group of five people are gathered in a living room, with two women shaking hands near a plaid sofa. The group appears happy, and there are flowers and decorative pillows in the room.
People gathered around a table at a barbecue event, serving and eating food such as burgers, hot dogs, and buns.
Podcast cover for 'It's a Single Mom Thing' with a pink background, hosting by Sherry Chandler, featuring a smiling woman with red hair, a microphone graphic, and text indicating it's for single moms, with a small label that says 'Every Monday'.

“It may be a single mom thing, but it’s not the single thing that stops you.”

- Sherry

Listen Now

Stories You Can Listen To

You Said You Want Different

  • Stories You Can Read

    Sometimes the encouragement you need is just a story away. Explore articles filled with practical wisdom, faith-filled insights, and real-life encouragement for the single mom journey.

    → Visit the Blog

  • "You don't have to wait for life to be perfect before you start growing."

    —Bloom Where You’re Planted

  • "What if the season you fear most becomes the season that changes you the most?'

    -Learning From Being Lonely

  • "Sometimes the bravest thing a mom can do is stop trying to do it all."

    -You Don’t Have To Be Everything to Everyone

Rewrite Your Story -
When You’re Ready.

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There’s Always Room in the Village.

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