Stacie Martin's Story

After years of coping with a difficult marriage to a drug addict, Stacie began to pour herself into her job. But when she was laid off twice over the course of two years, she was devastated. With no financial support, she knew that she was the only one her son could truly rely on. So she stepped out on faith and founded a nonprofit to help others in her position. She had no experience in the nonprofit world just an all-consuming passion to make a difference, and a steadfast belief that God had a plan for her.

With the help of Thomas O. Bailey & Associates and Joycelyn Ceasar of Robert Works, Single Parent Advocate was approved as a 501c3 nonprofit in less than four months.  Single Parents Network at Prestonwood Baptist Church and her circle of close friends continue to champion the cause, while others who share her passion joined in.

Single Parent Advocate has already provided school supplies, food, toys, beds, family portraits, computer assistance, and hope to families that are in the gap now, and the organization vows to continue making a profound difference in the lives of single parents and their families.

Contributors

Hilary Yurtin, M.S. is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern with experience counseling individuals, couples, families, and groups.   Hilary graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2010 with a Masters degree in Counseling from Southern Methodist University where she received extensive training in marriage and family therapy, couples counseling, career counseling, and multicultural issues.

Having been raised by a single parent, Hilary is passionate about bringing awareness and support to this growing and often overlooked demographic.  Hilary devotes much of her research efforts towards the study of change.  Some life transitions are unavoidable, and others we can choose.  Hilary is particularly interested in helping women improve their experiences and reactions to physical and environmental changes throughout their life span.  In her consulting practice, Hilary has specialized in working with female executives in a corporate setting to set and achieve goals for the improvement of Work/Life Quality and the reduction of stress and guilt that often accompany the balance of roles that women occupy.  Hilary receives licensed counseling supervision from Vanessa Sanford, M.S., LPC-S.