How Safe Homes Gives Housing Resources For Single Mothers: Monica’s Story

At Safe Homes Movement, providing housing resources for single mothers is about giving families the stability and dignity they deserve. One powerful example of this mission in action is the story of Monica, a single mother of three girls living in the 7 de Junio settlement of Villa María del Triunfo in Lima, Peru. For years, Monica worked long hours at a restaurant, often returning home at 1 a.m. to find her children gathered around a single candle in a fragile, leaking shelter with crumbling walls and no sense of security. This experience illustrates why targeted support, specifically housing resources for single mothers, can be absolutely life-changing for families facing unstable living conditions.

A Brand New Start

When we visited Monica’s community, the living conditions were immediately clear: her family needed a safe, stable shelter. With just one week to act, our team came together to build a home that would provide a secure and stable environment for Monica and her daughters. Volunteers and community members worked side-by-side, replacing the roof and strengthening the structure so it could withstand daily life and weather conditions. They also brought in essentials like a bunk bed with mattresses, chairs, and a table, transforming the space into a real home for the first time.

This wasn’t just about doing a construction project, it was about ensuring long-term well-being for Monica and her children. Through our volunteers, staff, and the local community members coming together on a low-income housing construction project, Monica's family gained not only a physical structure but also comfort, pride, stability, and a renewed sense of hope. This project empowered her to take control of her family's future and offered her daughters the security they need to thrive and grow.

Benefits of Stable Housing for Families and Communities

Providing housing resources for single mothers like Monica is about more than simply building homes. A reliable house becomes the foundation upon which better education, health, and future opportunities can grow. For children, having a safe space to study with proper lighting and sleep comfortably at night supports their development and educational success. For parents, safe housing reduces stress, improves family dynamics, and creates an environment where they can focus on their livelihoods without fear of daily hazards.

Projects like Monica’s also strengthen the surrounding community by modelling sustainable, community-led solutions. Safe Homes Movement’s approach ensures that local residents are involved in every step, creating stronger bonds and building a shared sense of resilience and dignity.

Why This Kind of Work Matters

For many single mothers in low-income areas, access to stable housing feels out of reach. Initiatives that offer housing help for low income single mothers provide invaluable support, helping families transition out of unsafe living conditions and into sustainable homes and brighter futures. The impact extends beyond shelter, it improves health, enhances educational opportunities for children, and creates overall hope for the future.

Monica’s story illustrates just how powerful dedicated housing resources can be. By working together, volunteers, community members, and Safe Homes Movement staff, we can continue to transform lives one home at a time.

To learn how you can volunteer abroad with Safe Homes Movement and contribute to similar infrastructure projects in underserved areas, fill out the interest form below or download our brochure today!