Recently, *Virginia (not her real name) celebrated a special week—her baby Venus’s first
birthday and four days later, her own 28th birthday. She also had another great experience
to celebrate that week—Momentum’s much-appreciated ride-to-work program.
Virginia works as a Program Assistant at a local non-profit agency and has been using the ride
service for about a month. She admits she thought the program was “too good to be true”
when she first saw a post about it on a favorite online support group. Although skeptical,
she visited MOMentum’s website and completed the ride-share application that evening.
She says she could hardly believe it when MOMentum Founder and President Meredith
Metcalf called the very next day to share details about the program. Now, Monday through
Friday, Lead Driver Brandi takes Virginia to her job where she helps set up for fun after-
school learning activities, helps the younger staff prepare the meals, and assists staff when
kids are having the occasional meltdown. At 6 p.m., she leaves work to find the afternoon
driver, Tammie, waiting for her.
Unlike many single moms in the program, Virginia doesn’t need to drop off her baby at
daycare. She and Venus’s dad, although no longer a couple, are committed to being
successful co-parents. He is a self-employed auto mechanic, trying to get his fledgling
business off the ground, but his priority is his daughter, so when Virginia is at work, Venus
spends her days with daddy. Although there isn’t much money for financial support, the
peace of mind of loving, attentive childcare is invaluable, Virginia notes.
Despite her busy days, Virginia still manages to carve out a little time to honor her
unquenchable drive to create. Before the baby was born, she made wigs out of her home,
but now she is on to another artistic outlet—designing and sewing unique, beautiful
clothing. Self-taught, she whips up colorful tops, jackets, pants, and skirts using
untraditional fabrics and textures. Someday she hopes to launch her stylish, singular
creations, but for now she offers alteration services to her friends and family, working
around Venus’s schedule as she can.
Born in Mexico and raised in Omaha since she was three years old, Virginia graduated from
South High School at 17, moved out of her parents’ home, and immediately started working
to support herself. Her experience has made her extra appreciative of the friends and
strangers who have offered advice and support along the way, and she is particularly
grateful for MOMentum.
“Honestly, I never would have wanted my car to stall out, but I believe everything happens
for a reason,” she says philosophically. Since the first ride, Virginia has “bonded” with the
kind and supportive drivers. Since then, she’s been able to purchase a new, used car, but it had a broken windshield. Brandi offered a suggestion that allowed Virginia to install a new
window at a fraction of the original cost, and Tammie helped arrange a much-needed night
out. Eventually, once she’s saved enough for tax and licensing for the new car, she will no
longer rely on MOMentum’s services, but the friendship remains.
“If you need help, it’s the place to go,” she notes. “Meredith, Brandi, Tammie…everyone is
great! It’s so nice and RARE to have someone you don’t even know offer support. I want
single moms to know, you don’t have to go it alone. If you need rides to work or help finding
a job, MOMentum is there. I am so grateful, and I thank God for working in my favor. I truly
believe God is part of this organization. They are making a real difference for single moms, and when I get ahead I’m going to give back to them in some way.”
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