One Single Mother's Story, from Jenay Marbury in NC, USA

[Jenay]

I've been a single mother since the age of 15. Even though I do despise the absence of my children’s father in their life, I do not dwell on it too much as I'm grateful to not have to deal with him in mine. However, as with the rest of us single mothers, I struggled, cried, and fought for the success of my household. I learned through tears and depression that the only strong hold is God. The world dammed me to live in poverty and on welfare, but my determination and prayers carried me to another reality and lifestyle and I proved the world wrong.

Now, a successful college graduate working in one of the largest computer companies in the world, my three children and I live in our own two story suburban home (owned, not rented) and enjoy a quite, stress and drama free life. I also own three rental properties and am making preparations to work for myself.

With all the struggles I've been through, from being homeless, a victim of abuse to going days without a meal, I've learned a lot of lessons and won a lot of battles. I try to share my knowledge and inspire other single parents to reach their full potential and be successful as well.

Locally, I have a non profit organization, Successful Single Parents (http://successsingleparent.editme.com), in Raleigh, NC. As a group we focus on the health and happiness of the entire family by promoting fun get togethers for our families, and support community outreach programs that we benefit from. We also focus on the single parents with in the group by networking with and for each other, and supporting each others goals. We hold open discussions for members to vent to one another and learn from each others experiences. We have a skill building component built into the groups programs that focuses on each member having key skills that booster their success.

In the wider community, I just recently started a new network page, http://singleparentsofnc.ning.com/ to serve as a space for North Carolina's single parents to come together as a community and get to know one another, and share experiences, news and ideas with each other.

[Fadia Ward]

Your success is our success,

Thanks for sharing.

Fadia Ward

www.DaddyDontWantMe.com

[Jenay]

Thank you Fadia. I truly appreciate your support! :)

[Mahogany Momma]

That you for sharing, your post has been featured -lh

[mrsdana757]

CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.May blessings flow from heaven to you and yours always!!!!!
Peace.

[Germanie]

Miss Jenay,
I am really inspired by your story. I have been a single mother since I was nineteen. Her father was not around in the beginning but someone was. Then that fizzled out between us but he still stays active. Her real father came in and out since she was two years old and then 2 years a ago when she was building a relationship with him he was murdered. I have been in and out of school on many occasions trying to decide what I wanna do. Still struggling I make it through still have government assistance and receiving section 8. I hard out here sometimes and I wish I had it all together. I wanna Thank you for showing that single mothers can get out of things through God and applying themselves.

[NIcole Townsend]

Can you help me get something going in South carolina?