SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Single Mom Strong, a nonprofit created to meet the unique needs of local single mothers and their families, has partnered with SMUD to bring Street Soccer USA, 916Ink, Square Root Academy and others to local children.

The cost of childcare is a significant strain on the family budget.  The problem is compounded when school is not in session and full-day programs are needed. Extended school closures related to COVID-19 have further intensified this problem.   Single Mom Strong’s summer camps not only meet the needs of working single parents at an affordable cost, but they will ensure kids get to be kids this summer.

“Not only has the irregular learning environment and disconnection from other kids weighed heavily on children for over a year, but their parents have had the added responsibility of supporting them through distance learning or finding and affording full day childcare.”  said Single Mom Strong Founder Tara Taylor. 

“Our EmpowerME Summer Camps are designed to ensure children enjoy their school breaks while continuing to learn and be active.  They are packed with fun, engaging activities, aimed at reinforcing values like perseverance, compassion, and responsibility, lessons that are so essential right now,” added Childcare Director Le Taunya Terrell. 

But even more essential is some good old-fashioned, off-screen fun. “Since the Sacramento region is home to an incredible array of organizations that support families, we reached out and asked them to collaborate for some unique experiences this summer.”

The result is 10 weekly themed summer camps with special guests and an amplified curriculum.  “Week 2 is our Summertime Stories session, which will include a trip to the library.  The kids will write and illustrate the Single Mom Strong story and enjoy a special activity with the team from 916Ink, an arts-based creative writing nonprofit organization,” explained Taylor.

Other themes include Sports Extravaganza with Street Soccer USA, Mad Scientist with Sacramento’s STEM program Square Root Academy, and Outdoor Explorers with Kaleidoschool.

Tuition for children of single parents is just $99 per week, $129 for all others.

Initially founded on the premise of community, inspiration and education, Single Mom Strong has expanded its mission to address the lack of affordable, quality childcare in the region and opened The Empowerment Center, a licensed facility for preschool, non-school day care, transitional kindergarten, and value- and activity-based camps. Preschool and childcare programs are open to all children, but single parents are able to volunteer in the center and receive a tuition discount. 

Since its inception in Sacramento less than five years ago, Single Mom Strong has served over 890 mothers and children in the greater Sacramento area.  Scholarship applications and more information may be found at singlemomstrong.org.

Based on the premise that a single mother can simultaneously be a professional success and a great parent, and the belief that neither the single mother nor her children are limited in any way by this circumstance, Single Mom Strong is:

A community, meeting the need for belonging and love for single mothers and their children; A place of empowerment: for single mothers through education and opportunity for balance; for their children through education and positive relationships; A means for betterment:  with their children in safe, quality childcare, single mothers can better provide for their families and achieve personal goals