SPORTIN04 stands for Single Parent Outreach Resourcing and Togetherness is Necessary; the 04 stands for the year that the idea for the group was put on paper. The idea was born in the brain of Yumeeka Oliver, single mother of three children, as she realized that a great deal of support is necessary in order to raise children as a single parent. Yumeeka knew that if there was an organization where single parents could share information and assist each other with the daily stresses of life, their successes would increase.

If it ¡§takes a village¡¨ to raise a child¡¨, then single parents are truly at a disadvantage. Yumeeka knew through her own experiences that the support single parents need is not always available. Who better to turn to than those that understand the situation as well as she ¡V other single parents. The SPORTIN04 beliefs state:

„X As single-parents we have a right and a need to come together and help one another in the absence of the other parent.
„X Our children deserve the best opportunities in life despite of their family composition and/or unique situations.
„X Through education and support [we can] strengthen the single parent family as they strive for success.

I have long been a believer that the best people to understand and assist single parents are other single parents. We all know and understand the issues unique to our situations from a deeply personal perspective. In most cases, we are the sole source of parenting, discipline, income, and guidance for our children. Atlas just thought he has the weight of the world on his shoulders! He should have been a single parent ¡V then he would know what weight really is. Organizations such as SPORTIN04 can only be successful if those they serve put them to good use. I truly believe that Yumeeka¡¦s heart is in the right place and that she is on the right track with this organization. If the single parents in and around the central New Jersey area are interested in making an organization work for the betterment of them all, then SPORTIN04 may be just that opportunity. As its name states, ¡§outreach, resourcing, and togetherness¡¨ are key for the success of the organization, its members, and all single parents. Through single parent networking, we can share ideas, gain information, and educate ourselves and others to the pitfalls and successful methods of single parenting.

For those of you in the New Jersey area, SPORTIN04 is holding their first-ever Yard Sale/Bake Sale on April 25, 2009 from 7am to 2pm. There will also be a raffle on that date for dinner for two at Soho on George. If you are interested in participating in the project ¡V whether you are a seller, a shopper, a baker, or just want to check out the organization, contact SPORTIN04 at sportin04@hotmail.com.

While SPORTIN04 is located in central New Jersey, they do accept members from outside the area. If you are interested in membership, there is an annual fee for membership ($25) which is used to support the single parent community and fund the organization. Members are also expected to volunteer on various committees and projects, such as their upcoming yard sale and bake sale. From time to time, fundraising events may be held to benefit a specific advertised charity at the discretion of the members. You can find more information about SPORTIN04 at their website: www.sportin04.com.