How Poor Are Female Headed Households?

Take a look at this chart created by the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Inc.

This chart shows the poverty rates for families with different characteristics, specifically highlighting female headed families (families with no husband present). Female headed families have the highest poverty rate in Rochester, where 64.2% of female headed families with children under 5 years old are poor. That’s an astounding number.

What We’re Doing to Help

CompassCare

A woman facing an unplanned pregnancy can be said to have different risk factors that would push them towards abortion. One of the higher risk factors is finances. “I can’t afford to have this baby.” Another high risk factor is that her partner is threatening to leave her if she doesn’t get an abortion. “I can’t have this baby alone.” Couple these two fears together and the risk is huge. She doesn’t want to be part of the 64.2%. CompassCare works towards erasing the need for abortion by transforming a woman’s fear into confidence. Having this child doesn’t mean she has to be a part of the 64.2%. There’s help, and CompassCare helps each woman connect with the help she needs to carry her child to term.

What Can You Do?

Consider being a part of a MotherCare Team by mentoring her and adding to her support network, or consider any one of the opportunities found here: http://northridgeserves.com/compass/

Good News Jail & Prison Ministry

According to the Correctional Association of New York, “80,000 children have a parent in a New York prison”. If the parent is the father, then there’s a high likelihood that his now female headed family is in poverty. The Good News Jail & Prison Ministry strives to meet the spiritual needs of both inmates and staff through ministry that includes evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral attention. In a place where their normal lives are disrupted, the Good News Jail ministry works towards meeting their spiritual poverty which often leads to a better way of life when they renter their families’ lives.

What Can You Do?

Consider taking a tour of the jail to learn more or consider any one of the other opportunities found here: http://northridgeserves.com/goodnews/

Grace House

“Reentry is tough. Two-thirds of release prisoners will be arrested again within three years.” Grace House strives to provide men recently released from a correctional facility a smooth transition to community life by providing a residence of safety and structure, and equipping them with the life skills necessary to successfully complete parole. In a sense, Grace House picks up where the Good News Jail & Prison Ministry ends, adding both spiritual and physical help to these men. They help them re-engage with their families, prevent homelessness for the men and help prevent future criminal behavior- ending old cycles and equipping men to start new ones. At Grace House, only one-fifth of released prisoners will be arrested again.

What Can You Do?

Consider being a maintenance volunteer for any of the five houses used in the program or consider any of the other opportunities found here: http://northridgeserves.com/gh/

Email agencyrep.northridge@gmail.com to get involved.