Keep Hope Alive for Single Black Mothers

This past Saturday (September 6th, 2025), Pointters was very pleased to announce the graduation of several families of our Strengthening Families Program, a multi-week long initiative that brought families of minority communities together to discuss and learn ways of strengthening family bonds and improving mental health across family members. 6 families graduated from our program this year, and we have plans to bring the program to more members of the community in the following years.

We've noticed that many families in our community, particularly families of black single mothers, have often faced incredible hardships, as the stresses of their attempts to make a living, raise kids, and ensure healthy mental health among their families, compile up to almost moral-breaking levels. With the SFP Program, our goal was to provide these single black mothers with the opportunity to learn and grow to form stronger bonds with their family, which in turn would reduce mental health stress and ensure that the family stays together, connected, and supportive of each other.

Each one of our weekly meetings was greeted with enthusiasm from our families we shared the program with, and there was always an eagerness to see what came next. Now that the program is done for the year, Pointters is on the path to building the curriculum and processes for next year, bringing more families together to learn bond strengthening exercises and ways to improve familial love and bonds.

Links:

• our website

PCI is dedicated to empowering Black and immigrant mothers in the Fox Valley region through targeted support and culturally responsive programming. Our efforts are anchored by the HERS (Healing, Empowerment, Resilience, and Support) women’s group, a safe space where mothers can share experiences, build community, and access emotional and practical support. HERS fosters a sense of belonging and resilience, equipping women with the confidence to navigate systemic barriers and advocate for themselves and their families.

Complementing HERS is our implementation of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), which provides bi-weekly lessons on family care, communication, and parenting best practices. These sessions are designed with cultural sensitivity in mind, blending evidence-based strategies with lived experiences to make the content relevant and applicable. Mothers who participate in SFP report feeling more equipped to manage stress, maintain positive family dynamics, and guide their children through challenges with greater confidence and clarity.

Together, HERS and SFP form a holistic support system that uplifts and empowers mothers, affirming their role as leaders within their families and communities. Through these initiatives, PCI is not only addressing immediate needs but also nurturing long-term resilience and leadership among Black and immigrant women. The positive ripple effect of this work strengthens entire families and contributes to a more connected, supportive Fox Valley community.

Links:

• http://www.pointters.org