#Rollwithus2019: Sky's the limit for single moms

Welcome to our #rollwithus2019 Sky's the Limit for Single Moms annual Gofundme campaign.

The campaign goal is to raise $25k to match funding to expand the Single Moms at Work Program, urban university's (uu),  support, employment and housing program for single mothers departing from public assistance.

Who We Are
Established in 1998, uu is a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to improve the social and economic  status of impoverished individuals by providing employability training, coaching, and transitional employment.  Learn more about us from our  website .

After a decade of preparing more than 2,000 low-income individuals for gainful employment, we launched Single Moms at Work  - our most critical effort to date to create impact in the lives of the bay area's most impoverished family unit - single mother led families. 

Click  here  to learn more about our program as featured in The San Jose Mercury News, written by MARISA KENDALL.

Tenth anniversary celebration:  uu team members, single moms, community leaders, friends, customers & the bay area community Photo Credit:  Andre Davis

Our Why
Contrary to popular belief - we believe the "sky is the limit for single mothers." 
In addition to the power of her daily motherhood, we hold a big and important vision for her as a community leader - where she raises her voice of love and concern while creating initiatives that bring about joy and justice.  But first things first, she must first a) feel secure with a roof over her head, b) have the tools to  adequately care for herself and her family and c)  receive on-going support to develop long-term growth and well-being. 

By contributing to our cause today, you are directly helping us to clear the pathway to this larger vision.  



Danita, one of our successful single moms sharing her story at our 10th anniversary celebration.  Photo Credit:  Andre Davis


Our What
The Single Moms at Work Program is a holistic model that includes housing, support and employment. 

We provide:
-6 months of on-the-job training and employment through urban furniture and boutique, our social enterprise located in the City of Oakland.  Mothers receive a wage of $15 per hours as they work and learn hard and soft skills along with personal and professional development coaching.  Additionally, they are bridged to gainful employment after our program and are cared for during their new job as we provide retention services;
-up to 24 months of housing through our transitional housing unit, with a capacity for four families.  Mothers live in a community with each other in a safe and empowering environment and receive individualized coaching services, group therapy workshops and community support;
-on-going support and care to include retention services, individualized coaching, placement and post-placement services.


Tracey working with Shaleah, one of our single mom participants during our retail space redo at the urban furniture and boutique social enterprise. Photo Credit:  Bay Area News Group 


Our Big and Bold Ask
Good News,  The City of Oakland Community Housing and Development Department is partnering with us by expanding our program to serve 5 new single mothers over the next year. 

Join us and raise $25k to match City of Oakland funds that will be used to fill the gap in funds for staff who will care and guide our mothers on their pathway to success and general operating expenses not covered by program funding.  

This is our largest Gofundme campaign to date for the largest cohort of single mothers to date.  Our first campaign we raised $10k to hire single mothers and we did.  Last year we raised $11k to hire single mothers and we did.  This year, we want to go big and raise $25k to support our expansion and match the City of Oakland's support and belief in our vision. 
Tracey and Danita embracing after she shared her story to the Oakland community.  Photo Credit:  Andre Davis

In closing, our campaign will run from 11/11/19 - 12/31/19 = 51 days. 

Here are a few incentives and tips to help our vision reach success:

Sky's the Limit Fine Dining Experience 
-We're excited to announce:  The first 10 individuals who donate $150 or more to our campaign will be invited to our Sky's the Limit Fine Dining Experience, an exclusive opportunity to acquire a seat at a 5 course private chef dining experience including appetizers and a cocktail hour with Chef Lamont Perriman of Montperi Catering and Events, an  established local  culinary persona and longtime urban university contributor (Lamont graciously donates food to our families ).  At the center of this experience  Tracey, our founder, will intimately share her big and humble vision for the Single Moms at Work Program.  The dinner will be scheduled for a future  evening in January 2020 (dinner valued at $3,000).

Chef Lamont Perriman of Montperi Catering and Events and long-time uu supporter.

Tips:
-Consider making two contributions over the next 51 days.  Enter your contributions into your cell calendar as pop-ups so you are ready to #rollwith us;
-Switch your coffee funds to our cause.  Okay, maybe not the coffee funds, maybe your potato chip funds;
-Check in with your employer to see if she/he/they will match your gracious contributions;
-Share by sending the link to your folks;
-Talk about us at your holiday gatherings and challenge someone nearby to give;
-Follow us on Instagram  to see our posts and new campaign skits to view our new joyful single mother skit stories 
-Follow us on    Twitter  to amplify our positive posts out to the world.



Our growing love, justice and joy-filled community at urban furniture and boutique, uu's social enterprise that provides employment, housing and support to single mothers.  Photo Credit:  Andre Davis.


All - Thank You in advance for your wonderful support of our big and beautiful vision.  We're grateful.

From the heart,
Tracey 
Founder and Champion
urban university