The Chester County Community Collaborative, a collection of nonprofits and independent interests working for the betterment of single mothers in the area, has announced that the sixth annual Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference will take place April 14 at Henderson High School.

The event is sponsored for a third consecutive year by Benchmark Federal Credit Union, and all single mothers are invited to attend free of charge.

“More than 9,000 households are led by single mothers in Chester County, yet women here earn roughly 70 percent of what men do,” said Benchmark Federal Credit Union Vice President of Marketing Rebecca Worthington. “This can make it challenging for hard-working mothers to support their families.”

According to the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, two out of five single mothers in Chester County live below the federal poverty level. Furthermore, childcare costs exceed 40 percent of the median annual income of single mothers in Pennsylvania.

“We are pleased to be offering financial guidance, including tips on how to build credit, to single mothers in our Chester County community,” said Worthington. “We will also take a look at individual financial situations, and pinpoint ways for single mothers to make the most of their paychecks.”

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This year’s conference – the theme is “Single Doesn’t Mean Alone” – is devoted to encouraging, educating, and empowering single moms in their role as sole provider for the family. More than 70 exhibitors and speakers will provide resources and activities, including workshops, clinics and demonstrations on parenting, self-defense, custody, child support, finances, and more.

The day includes lunch, free childcare, door prizes, a photo booth, and pampering.

“No one is on an island, yet that is the way many single mothers feel,” said Conference Co-Chair Matrie Johnson. “We want to reinforce that ‘single’ does not mean ‘alone.’ There are people and resources surrounding you in your Chester County community, and we want to be sure our single moms have easy access to them, all under one roof.”

This year’s conference will include an award for a single mother nominated by the community and recognized by her peers.

Click here to register for the Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference.