Bob Robinson & Carol Floch – Parenting Alone, Irving, Texas

History:

Parenting Alone is based on 9 years proven experience in single parent ministry at Irving Bible Church (IBC). Bob Robinson, the founder and former executive director, launched and led that ministry as part of the pastoral staff, which grew to serve over 1000 people with over 240 volunteers. In 2008, Bob left the staff of IBC to launch Parenting Alone as a stand alone 501c3 charitable non-profit serving the entire Dallas metroplex community both in and out of church environments.

The Impact of Parenting Alone for the Community:

Now: Single parents and their kids receive help, healing and hope to rebuild to their lives.

Future generations: Healthy parents and healthy kids can help reduce the cycle of divorce. Parenting Alone members active during the course of a year could result in 7,000 kids who would never experience the pain of divorce (four generations out).

Our Mission

To walk hand-in-hand with single parents and their kids. Our goal is to bring help, healing and hope to impact and encourage current and future generations towards healthy, vibrant families.

Our Plan

To offer a one-stop resource and relationship center for single parents that will help meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Free professional counseling, financial crisis coaching, budgeting, grief recovery, legal and career counseling are just some of the many services offered to the community. Family fun activities are also offered! (See Resources below)

Our Vision

Our vision is to perfect the Parenting Alone resource and relationship center at our initial location, and then launch multiple centers throughout the city, state and nation. Programs and processes are designed and documented to be replicated for future centers.

Resources Provided

“U” University! We are now accepting application!!

Parenting Alone established U-University to give our single parents the support they need when experiencing the aftershock of becoming a single parent family. We specialize in stabilizing the family during the initial crisis and providing hands-on support through our Journey Coaches, Financial Coaches and programs. Parenting Alone recognizes the need for our single parent families to “connect” during a time when things are likely to be “disconnected.” Our end- goal at Parenting Alone is to be a conduit for our single parents and connecting them with local churches in an effort to help them build a long-term support system.

The U-University program is designed to provide classes, workshops, and seminars that address: finances, personal development, parenting, life skills and maintaining a healthy spiritual life. Each member will have the opportunity to develop their own “life plan” which is a blueprint or working road map for their new family unit. U-University is a 9 to 12 month program where the participant is required to complete a number of classes, workshops and seminars. The program addresses many important aspects of single family living and the classes build the foundation for the participant’s “Life Plan”. The Life Plan is designed to be a working roadmap that addresses seven key areas of life (i.e. Personal, Financial, Spiritual and Family). Each participant builds their Life Plan by taking classes, workshops, and seminars offered by a church body (a church partner), community partners and Parenting Alone. For example, our parents may take a Divorce Care or Divorce Recovery Course, and Financial Peace University through a church partner. Then take Budgeting 101 and Family Nutrition through a community partner. While Parenting Alone will provide parenting classes.

Working together in a collective effort, these learning experiences serve as building blocks for the participant’s Life Plan. Parenting Alone will provide a Life Plan Course that will guide the participant in creating their own unique blueprint.

Our participants graduate with a certificate and a tailored “Life Plan” that they have composed during their time with Parenting Alone.

Journey Coach

Meet with a Journey Coach to assess your needs. They will listen to your story and develop a "journey plan" for the resources you and your kids need to provide help and healing. They will continue to followup with you on your journey.

Counseling

We help you find professional counselors who offer individual counseling for you and your kids. Professional counselors also lead various support groups.

Financial Coaches

Financial experts can meet with you one-on-one to guide in making tough decisions addressing your financial issues.

Resource Network

A thorough "partnership network" provides you with many resources available in your community that can meet additional needs that you might have.

Workshops

Workshops are designed to meet various needs of single parenting and childcare is provided when reserved.

Previous Workshops include:

ParentRise – Discussion topics include items such as discipline and boundaries.

Single Parent Counseling Group- A Small Group series will address topics that single families face.

Financial Workshop – Those that complete the program may qualify for a special “matching” savings program!

Grounded- this is a time to relax, drink coffee (or tea), talk, and work on a community project.

Controlling Your Finances- Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey

Career & Education- career assessment, interviewing, resume writing, basic Microsoft Office skills and job board

Cooking in the Kitchen- fun classes for the kids!

One Parent plus Kids- building a healthy home, grief recovery for you and your kids. Parents meet together while kids are in their own age appropriate groups.

Working together in a collective effort, these learning experiences serve as building blocks for the participant’s Life Plan. Parenting Alone will provide a Life Plan Course that will guide the participant in creating their own unique blueprint.Our participants graduate with a certificate and a tailored “Life Plan” that they have composed during their time with Parenting Alone.

Parenting Alone Website:
www.parentingalone.org