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MOMentum

Too Good to Be True-by Sandy Heather

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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