The Season to Give: http://www.warrenvillage.org/

Service Source had a wonderful idea to give back to the community this Holiday Season. All of our employees choose a charity event to attend and I choose Warren Village. I did not know about the organization before I showed up on their doorstep, but was eager to learn and help. Naomi sat us down to watch a small video on the organization and it's mission. I, being the sensitive sally I am, almost cried of course especially when I found out it's main focus is on single parents.
I know a few single Moms and I know how hard it is to get by for them. Life is hard sometimes when you get beat down, not only financially, but emotionally and mentally. Warren Village is a home and support system for the single women and (2) men and their children to get a leg up.
I was raised by a single Mother and I know what we went through sometimes. If I noticed, I know my Momma did. We never had alot growing up and sometimes we even lived with family members (thanks Mamaw and Dot). Though my childhood was not perfect, I do not feel that I was left out ever.
The most important part of our survival was something I mentioned earlier a fantastic "support system". My family is quite large and I am lucky in that way. My charity work reminded me of one particular memory.
My Momma was ending a relationship with someone and we were moving out on our own again. We found a cute little house next to the ball field and right across the street from Dusti's best friends house, Kham Cummings. I'm not sure how much help we had financially moving in that house, but that's not important right now. I do know that my family threw us a Pantry Party. For those that don't know, instead of filling your house with house warming gifts, they filled our pantry, fridge and freezer with groceries. I was so excited and now I wonder how that made my Momma feel. Was she sad because she had to have help? Or was she happy that we would have food in our bellies? Did she feel blessed to have such a strong support group?
I will definitely be returning to Warren Village on a regular basis. I can't wait to get to know the people that work and live there. I almost forgot the best part. When we were done, we cut the fool with some of the women and then they prepared a plate of girl scout cookies for us. That is sweet. I don't care what you say. That felt like home-cutting the fool and eating cookies with some good women.