Family Tides
When She Thrives launched one year ago, the organization set out to do something simple but powerful — nurture the nurturers and empower women navigating the challenges of single motherhood.
But they are far from alone: In 2023, there were about 7.3 million single mothers in the U.S., representing more than four in five of all single parents, according to an analysis by the Center for American Progress.
For founder and executive director Misty Aspenberg, the goal was never to become just another emergency resource for struggling mothers. Alongside her partner, Medea Valdez, she envisioned the Linwood-based nonprofit as something deeper — something that would help women break the generational cycle of poverty for good.
It was also a mission deeply personal to her.
“My mom was a single mom. We really struggled growing up,” Aspenberg said. “She did the best she could, but we were definitely vulnerable to a lot of things.”
Aspenberg recalls a childhood shaped by instability, one that left her and her siblings exposed to adversity and without adequate protection.
“When a mom is trying to do the best she can and work, she can’t be everywhere all the time, and I think sometimes women have to make compromises,” she explained. “They become more open to just anybody helping them with their kids because they’re desperate.”
Aspenberg said her life began to change during her junior high years when her mother connected their family with a local church where they found consistent support and community.
“That’s when I actually started getting support,” she said. “We started building community. People were looking out for me, and I began to realize life didn’t have to be the way I saw it.”
Today, She Thrives offers counseling, advocacy and community. Its monthly Mom Community Group brings Atlantic County-based single mothers of all backgrounds together for a shared meal and connection. It often features a guest speaker and provides participants free childcare
The nonprofit’s signature program is its 16-week Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World course, designed to help participants build long-term stability and strengthen personal resources.
Participants receive free dinner, childcare, a stipend for attending the class and participate in a graduation ceremony.
“It’s different for every woman, that’s why we really want to do individualized plans for each one,” Aspenberg said.
With support from donors, She Thrives has also established a scholarship program to help participants continue their education or pursue resources that support their success.
But the impact of She Thrives extends far beyond financial stability.
For many mothers navigating solo parenting, the constant demands can feel overwhelming, making it harder to stay fully present for their children. It can also be an isolating experience.
“It’s not just about their finances,” Aspenberg said. “It’s their mindset, their relationships, their hope; it’s all feeding into their lack of resources, which is poverty.”
Amy Moore, a licensed marriage and family therapist and director of programming at She Thrives, said many of the moms are “still healing” while parenting and that the program integrates “emotional healing, practical tools and community.”
“As a therapist, I’ve always seen wounds kind of happen in relationships, but I also believe they heal in relationships,” Moore said. “Our vision is to fill in the gaps and nurture the nurturers because mothers are often pouring endlessly out of their cup without anything being poured back in.”
Moore, who went through the Getting Ahead program herself, said it had an impact on both her and her daughter. Many participants enter the program in survival mode, and part of the work is helping them rediscover their ability to plan and dream.
“They’re leaving with increased clarity, confidence and practical strategies,” she said. “When you nurture the nurturers, entire families thrive and communities change.”
Some mothers also arrive carrying deep shame and internalized blame, believing their circumstances stem from personal failure. Others are navigating the effects of trauma.
“Most of them, if you even listen to their stories, they were left. They were cheated on. Some of them even lost a spouse through death,” Aspenberg said. “A lot of them come in and say, ‘I did something wrong; I chose the wrong person, and it’s my fault, and there’s nothing I can do about it.’”
In the short term, Moore said success at She Thrives looks like moms feeling “loved, seen, heard [and] cared for.” In the long term, it means seeing them become financially stable and able to take steps toward achieving their dreams.
“Seeing our moms set goals and then achieve them, that to me is long-term success. Then, really, the kids and seeing the kids’ behaviors. That’s huge — seeing the kids feel more settled and seeing the parents not be so reactive,” she said.
She Thrives is also preparing to launch its Staying Ahead program for Getting Ahead graduates, designed to help women maintain momentum and continue building stability.
“We focus on sustainability and emotional resiliency, goal maintenance, leadership development and community contribution,” Moore said. “It really enforces that thriving isn’t a one-time event; it’s a supported process.”
Looking ahead, Aspenberg hopes to develop a centralized resource center for women in the program, offering childcare, learning spaces, a kitchen, areas for play dates, a gym and more. Long term, she is working to establish housing for single mothers with children under five.
As the organization grows, Aspenberg has learned that showing up counts.
“It showed me personally that you don’t need to know everything in order to do something meaningful; I think you just need to show up,” she said. “I always feel like you can’t save the world, but you can do something impactful in your small part of the world.”
The next Getting Ahead course begins Feb. 20. Registration is required by Feb. 13, and applicants must complete an interview.
To learn more about She Thrives programming or to support the nonprofit through business partnerships, donations or volunteering, visit shethrivesnj.com.
