By MORGAN MIZELL

The Natchez Democrat

FERRIDAY — Ferriday native Jennifer Maggio began a journey in 1999 that has become a nation-wide Christian non-profit organization with resources that are helping tens of thousands of single parents each year — The Life of a Single Mom.

Maggio, who is the CEO of The Life of a Single Mom, was a single teenage mother herself facing multiple issues including financial burdens and emotional stress. After having a moment of self–realization, Maggio said she decided she would do what it took to succeed as well as give back to others who were in her position.

“I got a job in corporate America and won several awards and secured $55 million in accounts,” Maggio said. “I was the assistant vice president for HSBC Bank for nearly 10 years.”

Her success in the corporate world, however, held no comparison to the calling Maggio said she felt God had for her life.

“I never doubted God’s plan for my life,” Maggio said. “It was hard, and there are many days when it still is hard, but when you know what God called you to do, the passion fuels your perseverance.”

The first meetings of the organization were held in Maggio’s house with three moms. A year later, the group grew exponentially. The following year, she released her first book.

“I have written four books,” Maggio said. “I will write more. I actually have two more book ideas in my head right now.”

Maggio had her first book published in 2009, “Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom,” which is her autobiography.

The next three books followed quickly behind the first: “The Church and the Single Mom,” was a book Maggio wrote to the church and why it should care about the single parent issue. The last two books, “Kids and the Single Mom” and “Peace and the Single Mom” are books meant to encourage single moms.

While Maggio travels much of the year, her house and the base for her non-profit is Baton Rouge.

“Louisiana ranks second in the nation in single-parent-led households,” Maggio said. “So, this is ground-zero for single mom’s ministry. The proof of concept has allowed us to expand throughout the U.S. and impact 72,000 single mothers each year in all 50 states.”

The organization works with churches of various denominations and sizes to start single moms’ ministries. The ministries can be anything such as Sunday school classes, life classes of Bible study — any of a number of ways for single mothers to gather. Once the connection is established, the group offers a curriculum to help single moms by teaching healthy parenting, financial goals and overall emotional and spiritual growth. The group also offers an online life skills resource titled: “Single Moms University.” It offers more than 100 life skills classes with the goal being growth in three core areas: Parenting, Finances and Health and Wellness.

As Maggio is not a licensed nor ordained minister, her work is more motivational with an emphasis of hope through Christ.

“The work I do isn’t for motivating people,” Maggio said. “It is for transforming them from the inside out. I want to ensure that people know they are seen and loved by God.”

Maggio said the non-profit has an immediate goal of reaching 100,000 single mother houses each year and connecting them to local churches.

According to their research, the national average of single mothers not attending local churches is 67 percent.

“Many single mothers have gone through trauma, whether from a divorce or failed relationship or death or abuse,” Maggio said. “Oftentimes, the result is to isolate. Isolation breeds depression. Depression often can lead to poor decision-making, addiction or self harm.”

The Life of a Single Mom, Maggio said, believes Single Moms Ministry is a way the church can be the church by seeing the needs around them and demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways.

“The church cannot meet every financial or physical need every time,” Maggio said. “But, they can make lasting impacts in the lives of single mothers and their children.”

Maggio recently spoke at the Rejuvenate gathering in Vidalia. Melissa Calhoun, recently married, had been a single mother for several years. She said Maggio said so many things in her presentation that stuck with her.

“It’s all about timing,” Calhoun said. “In the midst of the wait there are things you need to be working on to prepare you for the thing you are begging for.”

Calhoun said she struggled a lot during her years as a single mom and that in those times she failed to work on herself.

“I wanted my miracle right then and there,” Calhoun said. “I had to wait and prepare myself for my miracle.”

Calhoun said Maggio also spoke about selfishness and selflessness.

“She asked us the question, ‘If God answered all your prayers, would it change the world or only yours,’” Calhoun said. “I was praying for my troubles to get better and for God to rescue me, I wasn’t thinking about the fact that He was using me to help other people.”

In addition to all of the resources offered for mothers, the website does offer material for single fathers, too.

Those looking for more information about the organization or details about beginning groups can visit the organization’s website at thelifeofasinglemom.com.