Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Segobia.
Hi Rachel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
According to the U.S. Census, 40% of children in Kansas City are growing up in single-parent homes, compared to a national average of 34% (American Community Survey, 2019). This statistic has far-reaching implications for lifelong health and well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that “children raised in single-parent homes are more likely to drop out of school, to have or cause a teen pregnancy and to experience a divorce in adulthood,” (Kids Count, 2020). Single-mother families makeup 75% of the single-parent families in Kansas City, and are about five times as likely to experience poverty as married-parent families (U.S.Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the U.S., 2015). Poverty increases a mother’s stress in a variety of ways, including job loss, unhealthy housing, dangerous neighborhoods, conflict with partners, and other negative life events, which thereby leads to mental illness and depression (Linver, Brooks-Gunn, Kohen, 2002). This is particularly true when single mothers do not have access to supportive networks (Brown, Moran, 1997).
The Single MOM KC (TSMKC) was founded in 2009 by Misty Honnold in defiance of these troubling statistics. Misty, a single mom, knew first-hand the exhaustion and isolation that comes with bearing the full responsibility of parenthood and provision for single-parent families. She was determined to create a different story for herself and her children. Misty’s efforts kicked off a movement for other single mom families, and soon a grassroots organization of women was coming together to provide hope, courage, and community to each other.
Twelve years later, TSMKC has formalized its foundational priorities of hope, courage, and community into a comprehensive, holistic program that equips families to be restored into a better story. TSMKC invites the 61,600+ single-mother families in the KC Metro area to join together in communities of solid stable growing families to break the patterns of the past.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
TSMKC is a grassroots program, rising up from a small but mighty group of women meeting in Misty’s living room, to a community of nearly 2000 women coming together to build community, support each other and heal together. The energy, drive, and desire for single moms to have this sort of community has inspired 12 years of invigorating growth that has not slowed down since its inception.
TSMKC faced its first major hurdle in 2021 when its founder transitioned out of the organization. With a strong board of directors leading the hiring process and the founder, Misty, continuing to engage in the process, the organization successfully brought on its current Executive Director, Rachel Segobia, who has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, including fundraising, management, programming and 5 years as Executive Director of a similar-sized nonprofit agency. 6 months into the transition, things continue to run smoothly as single mom needs increase, donor and church bases broaden and volunteers desire to give back to those who need it most.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Single MOM KC sees communities of hope for single-mother families and solid, stable growing families who break damaging patterns. TSMKC’s mission is to call single moms to join us in community by providing resources and equipping their families to be restored into a better story. TSMKC is peer-led and highly collaborative, with trained single mother leaders implementing a majority of its programming.
The Single MOM KC seeks to serve holistically, empowering and encouraging single moms in every area of their lives. It does this by providing:
Connection and community with other moms
Quarterly events that embrace, educate nourish and offer hope
Practical, spiritual, and leadership development opportunities
Monthly workshops to equip and educate
6–8-week classes offer practical life tools
Leadership and discipleship training
Children’s programs for kids to explore and grow
Clothed with Dignity Boutique where moms can “shop” for free every month
An outlook that centers on the abundant grace of Jesus Christ
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking as a nonprofit professional can be difficult. It often feels like we’re always asking for something from other networkers, and rarely giving back. It’s important to remember that donating time, money and expertise fulfills an important need for most individuals. People want to give back and help others. Often, the hardest part of giving back is finding an organization that fits your individual calling. Networking for nonprofits is an opportunity to help others find their passion, feel needed, and contribute in a way that’s different from the usual engagement opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thesinglemomkc.org
- Website: https://www.thesinglemomkc.org/
- Instagram: thesinglemomkc
- Facebook: thesinglemomkc
- Twitter: thesinglemomkc
- Youtube: thesinglemomkc
