Page 58 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021- Online Magazine

OPPORTUNITY
TO Serve

“Unpacking”

Life
for

by Jane Bromley

pproximately 51% of homes in 2016,
in the Lubbock area are founded
Aheaded by single moms. “Unpack”
Most of them face difficulties only – a ministry Christmas 2020: The moms with their Santa sacks full of gifts. (The bags
other single parents understand for single were pillowcases handmade by board member Shelly Walker.)
– especially with finances. Single moms in totally separate entity. They lead a
moms are twice as likely to live Lubbock. “I decided I would initiate corporate class on Wednesday night
in poverty as other families. And the change that was needed.” in a room so beautifully decorated it
they often struggle with many could be on the cover of a magazine.
other shortages like time, energy, “Our mission is to help women They want the women to know they
relationships, resources, and ‘unpack’ their pain, so they can begin have value. “We don’t sugar coat
emotional support. to heal mentally and emotionally
and unpack their things so they anything, and we have practical
Poppy Beard has walked in those can create a beautiful home for discussions about how they are
shoes. Twenty-three years ago, she themselves and their families.” going to live out the truth.” They use
was the single mother of a six- one-on-one mentorship to teach the
year-old and an infant who spent Her sister Holly Hallford came moms how to transform the place
18 weeks in the hospital. It was a on board last August as Executive they “stay” into a place they are
challenging time for her. She needed Director of Unpack. She had proud to call “home”.
basic things such as someone to do a managed an office of psychologists Poppy says research shows that
load of laundry or sit with her baby for 12 years and is using her skills to “when a woman is proud of her
so she could run home and shower. support the ministry. Both Holly and
Poppy are passionate about making home, her mental health and socio-
Church members or pastors would a real difference in the lives of single economic class improves. Her
come by but usually just leave a moms. children bring their friends over, and
business card. Poppy thought, “The that contributes to greater success
church is missing this.” She needed Poppy explains, “At Unpack, we say, in their education.” She points to a
practical help and ‘Let’s see what God says number of success stories.
determined to do about how your future *Bonnie is a single mom who
something about could look different.’ We came to Unpack shortly after she
it when she was want to help them realize became a Christian. She had been
able. Her children their value, so we go over sexually assaulted, and the father
are grown now, the top to make them of her young son was in prison.
but she has feel special.” Holly adds, But “she was teachable.” Through
made good on “We are not looking to the mentoring she has received at
her promise. point out their mistakes. Unpack, she has learned to work
Eventually, We want to build a safe hard, save money, and create a
she earned her trusting environment.” healthy home for herself and her son.
Master’s in The sisters “happily “She is radically different,” according
Human Sciences/ An example of one of the items house at the Lubbock to Poppy.
Family Life the ladies make on craft night to Impact facility” but are a
Education and, be sold in the Unpack “store”.

58 Lubbock Senior Link