Life Center of Hernando

Before I learned of The Life Center, I didn’t know there were so many homeless mothers and children. This organization meets a huge need that most people don’t even know exists- it keeps mothers and their children off the street! Everyday this agency helps these women to improve themselves and gives the family a chance to have a better life. Keep up the tremendous work!

I truly believe the work being done at The Life Center of Hernando pleases God. TLC provides a home like atmosphere for young single moms who are pregnant or who have young children. They can stay for up to 3 years which gives them time to finish school and gain employability skills. They gain self confidence and a sense of self worth. They attend church and Life Skill Courses. They become whole people.

Where would they be without the TLC facility? Homeless no doubt. How sad that would be.

As the volunteer housemother, I know this organization very well. The women we have helped have been very grateful. We not only house some mothers but have helped others who just need supplies. We are in the process of opening a daycare to further help our moms on their road to independence.

It's hard to imagine that in this day and age, people are still homeless. The thought of a single mom being homeless is heartbreaking. We need to do everything we can to make sure as many people are helped as possible. This is a worthwhile organization, and I will donate money and time to this organization to help in any way that I can.

Some people dream or talk about doing great things…and some people just do them. Though it’s tough to admit it I’m undoubtedly a dreamer, and occasionally a talker. For many years now I have dreamed of winning the lotto and have always talked about buying a large apartment complex to house single mothers where I would let them live for free while putting them through school. It would be a place that provided these women with a real chance at life…a chance to end the cycle of poverty...and while I was dreaming, others were doing.

Most don’t know it but there is a little house in Hernando County that sits on the grounds of a church. It was run down and shabby not long ago. There also exists in Hernando County a group of doers…a group of dedicated people who recognized that a big dream often starts with small steps. They called upon the community to help restore the “Little House” and had the fortitude to take a dilapidated structure and transform it into a home that will transform the lives of it’s residents. It will be home to young, single moms and their babies who are at risk of becoming homeless. The moms will have shelter, food, toys, acceptance and mentors. They will participate in a three year program and the goal is to have prepared each young mom in terms of skills, initiative, personal vision, maturity, and overall wellness. The Life Center will enable her to step into a life of healthy, responsible independence and self-sufficiency that she has created for herself rather than living a life which she has little or no control over. So many people in our community have given and continue to give to this worthy cause. The dedicated people who have worked tirelessly (and continue to do so) are simply wonderful. They have a heart to serve others and to give these young women and children a shot at a great life.

This organization needs help to ensure that it can continue on and work miracles in the lives of young people that need this kind of support. I run a community website and volunteer my services to The Life Center of Hernando by managing their Facebook page and bringing awareness through my site.

I believe in the power of one. If one person is a doer then the world is better. If just one person completes this program and has a great life as a result then it was a success. Dreaming big is essential to living your best life, but it is equally as important to recognize that sometimes just doing something small is great…and it’s certainly better then doing nothing at all (while waiting to win the lotto). The Life Center is helping these young women take the small steps necessary to reach their big dreams.

This is a great organization..a truly dedicated group of volunteers who work long and hard hours to achieve a successful center dedicated to moms and their babies...it is an asset to the community ..I am proud to see how the volunteers dedicate their time and effort to make this dream a reality... I saw the house in the early stages and now cannot wait to go see the success the center is now becoming.

I am looking forward to becoming a volunteer at The Life Center of Hernando. When I heard Barbara share her vision about The Life Center, I immediately knew this was what God's purpose was for me. I knew that because this WAS my story. I was that unwed 16 year old mom who was homeless, with no where to turn and no one to help. Through the grace of God, I have overcome sooooo many tragedies and I know they were a part of my life so that one day I would be able to help others. Well that time has come. I have been in prayer about what God wanted me to do, but it wasn't until I wrote it down on paper that the following week Barbara showed up at my church. I am looking forward to sharing hope, encouragement, LOVE, guidance, wisdom and life experiences to young people who are so deseparately seeking this. I know I was and I found all of that through GOD'S love for me!

I am extremely proud to be part of an organization that will impact the lives of vulnerable young women by offerig them and their children support, guidance and hope for a promising future. I encourage the Hernando County community to rally behind the efforts of The Life Center by providing your time, talent and resources! Phil Scarpelli

I have watched The Life Center grow over the last several years. It has truly been a miracle in the making with the relentless,never giving up of many people involved. I believe it will pave a way for change in so many young lives. If we can make a difference for a young child and its Mother now, it will mean they both have a future. I know from experience what is like to have a small child and feel like there is no one to help. I think of my own life and my childs life, how different it could have been if I would have had a support system like The Life Center . The future is our children and if we can protect them now then the future will be a bright one. This is what The Life Center can do, it will change the future for those that were born into impossible situations, that thought there was no hope, it will give them hope and the strength and guidance to be great Mothers and bring up our next generation. Barbara Lemoine is one of the kindest, amazing people I know and I know she is the perfect person to be a role model for these young Mothers. She saw a need and made it happen. If only more people could show this iniative, I'm sure the world would be a much better place. Change of looking down on those less fortunate and helping them is truly the answer.

To say this non-profit is something extraordinary would be putting it lightly. The building (quite literally) of this agency is something like seeing something resurrected from the ground & watching it grow with all the energy and passion that everyone involved has brought to this project. The rebuilding of a little unknown house in Brooksville is only the beginning and will only bring more brightness and love to not only those involved, but to those young mothers and their children, those who are needing that love and brightness through this project in the end. Not only have the volunteers risen above hard ships to conquer this dream, but so has Barbara Lemoine and her extraordinary vision to see this life-long dream fulfilled. I am so proud of those involved, of the hard-working volunteers, civil servants and more than anything, my amazing Mother, Barbara who all this wouldn't have been possible.

I have been involved with The Life Center of Hernando for several years, so much work has been done to enable us to help and inspire young mothers with children to get their education, and teach them responsible home skills, cooking, balancing menus, checkbooks, educating their children and dealing with everyday skills they may have missed due to a young pregnancy...we have had fantastic times with people sharing menus, teaching us so we can teach others, and we are preparing for our future families....this is a great organization, and we are hoping to create a safe harbor and learning environment...thank you

I have been working with The Life Center for two years after meeting Barbara Lemoine at a Hernando Youth Iniative Summit and becoming immediately smithen with Barbara's dedication and focus. The Little House, funded by The Life Center, is a home that will address the needs of our community's most vulnerable members - homeless moms and their infants. It will provide a chance for these young moms to evolve out what could be a very vicious cycle of poverty and pregnancy. In addition, The Life Center serves it's community by directly supporting and supplementing programs in place such as New Generation and the Homeless Coaltion. The Little House offers young women a practical alternative to abortion. The Little House will teach and live Christian values but will also show how Christian beliefs can evolve from words to actions.

In the short time I have been with The Life Center, I have met the most dedicated and wonderfully caring people. Their coordination of donations and volunteers is outstanding; their goals are great, but I am certain they are also attainable. The way this group helps single mothers learn to take care of themselves and their children, receive education, and build new lives is inspirational. I am only too proud to be part of this association!