GET INVOLVED
You Can Make a Difference
Our strength is amplified with collective action, and you can help make a difference with She Is Hope LA right now! The support we receive is a huge driver of the good work we do in single mothers solve their most challenging problems. Get in touch today and join our community in making a lasting impact.
THE INSPIRATION THAT
BEGAN SHE IS HOPE LA
Tisha Janigian scraped by with her wits, and learned how to thrive as a single mom, new to L.A. after her divorce in 2012. Her vision to support single mothers led to the formation of SHE IS HOPE LA in 2019.
SHE IS HOPE LA AT A GLANCE
TISHA'S STORY
Things were far from perfect when I was married, but I told myself I had taken the vow and had to make it work, plus I didn't want to be a burden on my folks if I left. When my two sons were born, both had a lot of health issues and had to endure many surgeries, which put even more stress on the relationship. I left my ex-husband several times, beginning when my second son was six months old. When I finally mustered the strength to leave once and for all, my boys and I started our lives over with three suitcases as everything we had was in a storage unit in another state. I had no money, credit, or assets, so it was extremely difficult to find an apartment that would rent to me, even with my Father as a co-signer. Section 8 Housing had an extremely long waiting list as well.
I realized that I couldn't afford before and after-school childcare, so I started to look for a part-time job. Unfortunately, most companies wouldn't even interview me. They told me that I was overqualified because I have a Bachelor's Degree and thought I wouldn't stay long. When I finally did get hired for a few hours a week, my food stamp benefits went down to almost nothing. I realized then that the system was broken, and it perpetuates people to stay on it.
The problem was that I wasn't making enough money to cover the utilities even with a low-income discount, so I participated in focus groups and looked for free things on Craig's List and Freecycle to resell. Growing up back East and working with my folks in the antique business, I had a knack for this sort of thing. Because I shared what was going on with old and new friends, they offered me a hand up versus a handout and gave me side jobs that included babysitting and pet sitting. Without these side hustles, I wouldn't have had enough to cover utilities, food, and gas. The work and child support I was receiving put me in the gap above poverty, where little assistance was available.
My luck changed when I got promoted six months after I started a part-time job. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing because I have two amazing sons who are my world. After experiencing all of these challenges firsthand and speaking to so many other single moms and moms in bad relationships and with similar experiences, it made me realize that I had to do something about it!
My personal experience and the challenges single moms face were my inspiration for creating SHE IS HOPE LA!
Tisha Janigian
SHE IS HOPE LA is an LA based nonprofit uplifting single mother families with mentoring, employment opportunities, peer support, financial, legal, and health education, as well as housing placement and advocacy.
SHE IS HOPE LA stands for Single Moms, Housing & Empowerment Inspiring Self-Confidence through
Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance & Education Los Angeles.
EDUCATION
The SHE IS Series Development Program is a curriculum for all single mothers. The program utilizes expert leaders and speakers for legal and financial advice, job training and preparation, mind / body wellness, and peer support and mentoring.
The world is beginning to understand the societal need to uplift mothers and children. Many Angelenos are coming together on a mission to uplift the lives of single mothers in L.A., empowering and providing education to more mothers so single families can thrive in our city.
EMPLOYMENT
SHE IS HOPE LA offers jobs with the SHE IS HOPE LA Boutique, and SHE IS HOPE Realty, and are starting an employment agency.
We assist with business plans, professional resume reviews and interview preparations, as well as professional attire and accessories as needed. We offer job preparation during a single mother's transition back into the workforce.
HOUSING
SHE IS HOPE LA assists single mother families in finding affordable housing. Our goal is to secure funding for purchasing an apartment building to provide our single mother families a one to two year tenancy while they build their credit and self-esteem.
Single women-headed households are five times as likely as married households to be "extremely low income." More than 70% of single mothers are rent burdened compared with 60% of single fathers.
We always focus on giving single moms a hand up rather than a hand out.
