MOMentum
Connecting moms. Strengthening communities.
Our Focus
MOMentum helps moms who are unemployed or underemployed secure and achieve success in new career opportunities.
MOMentum's mission is to reduce the feminization of poverty by eliminating barriers to employment for moms while helping employers diversify their workforce.
What is the feminization of poverty?
The feminization of poverty is the phenomenon in which women experience poverty at much higher rates than men. According to the UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the COVID-19 pandemic will push 47 million more women and girls below the poverty line, reversing decades of progress for gender equality.
Women's uphill battle
Women are the primary caretakers
Whether she's a single mom or a mom with another parent in the household, child care is typically her responsibility. This means there are fewer opportunities for her to get a paid job because she spends much of her time taking care of the children.
Jobs for women pay less
In nearly every industry, women are paid less than men. In early 2020, women earned 81 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
The pandemic
"The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has forced a large portion of the population to work remotely, with layoffs on the horizon for some occupations and industries. Women have a higher risk of suffering greater penalties in earnings as result. Women make up a larger percentage of occupations in Community & Social Services, Education, Library & Training, Office & Administrative Support, and Personal Care & Services, which are more likely to be suspended, laid off, or forced to work reduced hours. Women are also more likely to have to take time off work, or even resign their positions, in order to care for children who are no longer in school as well as other family members." -Payscale, 2020
MOMentum's solutions
Help employers recruit and retain talented moms
MOMentum recruits skilled, talented moms for part-time and full-time employment opportunities. MOMentum connects jobseekers to other moms in similar situations to help them build social capital. Think of it as a community-wide employee resource group!
One-on-one consulting with job-seeking moms
Moms need to know what jobs are out there and which ones will fit their needs. Consultation with an experienced recruiter can help them reflect on their interests and priorities to pursue the right opportunities for them and their families.
Support Services
Sometimes there are things keeping moms from being able to work. If it is transportation, child care, housing, a specific accommodation need, etc. MOMentum can help!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
David, Heartland Workforce Solutions
"As a result of years of experience working with low-income families and single parents, I am very much aware of the struggles faced by those who want to lift themselves out of poverty. The struggle is that much more real for single moms who don’t have the support of family and friends. However, with the help of an organization like MOMentum, there is an advocate for the mom who desperately needs someone in their corner."
Carolyn
"Not only did MOMentum get me connected to the key leaders with perfect timing and ease, Meredith was also with me every step of the way through the entire process to answer my questions, give encouragement, and share valuable insight. I really appreciated how quickly she responded to my questions, fears, anything I threw her way! With her support in this journey, I was able to go into each next step feeling very confident, prepared, and excited. I know this helped me to present myself professionally and genuinely. Meredith truly gave this Mom momentum to secure my dream job and an exciting new chapter for my daughter and I."
Brittany
"MOMentum has changed my life. I met Meredith shortly before I parted ways with my last job...we discussed my goals and what I wanted for my future. She went to work and started researching jobs that were in my field. She found an opportunity for me and since I have started at this new company, I am excelling very quickly and am the happiest I've been in a very long time. Thank you MOMentum for all you have done for me and my family!"
