The very human aspects of One by One are the matches between the mentors and the mothers. From these matches come stories, which sometimes make us cry but always inspire us.  Each story demonstrates the effect One by One Ministries is having on the lives of families.

• When Lucie* was only 12 years old she became pregnant through rape. We found out about Lucie when someone in her family called a neighborhood church which had recently begun One by One Ministries. Anne*, the mentor assigned to Lucie, began to make home visits. She found that Lucie’s family was in serious financial difficulty and about to be evicted from their home. This mentor took her Christian commitment seriously and knew she had to help Lucie and her family. Anne contacted her church and they responded with the support needed to keep Lucie and her family in their home. During one of the home visits, Lucie prayed to accept Christ as her personal Savior. The journey of healing for this now 13 year old continues, but now her life is changed forever and there is hope.
  
  
• Last fall, one of our single mothers was close to her due date when her own mother had to go out of town. This was a frightening time for Debbie* who had experienced deep depression in the past. She called her mentor, Nickie,* often. While the family was gone, Debbie went into labor. She called Nickie who told Debbie she would meet her at the hospital. When she got there, Nickie was there and stayed with her in the labor and delivery room all the way through to the baby’s first cry. Debbie and Nickie now share a very special bond. They continue to meet together and their bond has helped Debbie weather several big storms in her life.
  
  
• Marie*, a retired college professor, is mentoring two teenage deaf mothers. Marie and these young moms work through the curriculum and put together the baby book and never a word is spoken! What a blessing that Marie is trained in sign language and is a gifted interpreter. Marie has been able to help both sets of mothers and their extended families (many of whom are also deaf) handle some of the daily logistical challenges of being deaf yet caring for babies in a sound-oriented environment.
  
  
• Juan* and Stephanie* already had one child when Stephanie became pregnant again. When told about One by One at a pregnancy care center, Stephanie signed up to have a mentor. Their extended families had had a hard time getting to know one another and there had been a few problems in getting along. As the mentor introduced the One by One Baby Book pages, the grandmothers found common ground as they helped to fill in some of the family pages. The young mother was grateful to the mentor for introducing a way for the two families to come together for the sake of the baby.

* Names changed to protect privacy.