Why We Exist: Our Soil
Seasons Village exists to cultivate lasting change by creating pathways out of poverty for single mothers and their children. Our mission, vision, equity statement, and values are the foundation for everything we do. They guide how we break cycles of intergenerational poverty and build a thriving village where families grow together.
By partnering with local leaders, nonprofits, churches, and schools, we raise awareness of the challenges low-resourced single mothers face and equip them to lead from a place of strength. Our two-generational approach invests in the postsecondary success of Mother Scholars, opening doors to higher-paying jobs, economic security, and long-term family wellness. These investments do more than uplift individuals; they develop leaders, strengthen communities, and plant seeds of prosperity across generations.
Our Mission
Seasons Village partners with single mothers and their children to cultivate a strong foundation for intergenerational prosperity.
Our Vision
To create a more promising future where single mothers and their children can break cycles of poverty and thrive in every season of life.
Equity Statement
At Seasons Village, our soil is enriched on the grounds of equity, where we are rooted and cultivated in fairness, nurtured through community, and sustained by acceptance and appreciation. We walk alongside single mothers and their children, planting the seeds of intergenerational prosperity and breaking cycles that have long limited access to opportunity.
We recognize the deep impact of systemic barriers to equity and opportunity, and we are committed to removing those barriers through intentional action, advocacy, and compassionate support.
Guided by our core values of respect, wellness, growth, connectedness, stewardship, and equity, we follow the rhythm of the seasons, knowing that true equity requires ongoing work, reflection, and care.
In every season, we remain steadfast in creating a village where single mothers and their children not only survive but flourish.
Our Values: Grounds Us
Just as healthy soil nurtures deep roots, our values ground every decision, relationship, and initiative at Seasons Village. They shape the way we serve, the way we grow, and the way we walk alongside single mothers and their children through every season of life. These principles are not just words; they are the nutrients that sustain our village and guide our path toward intergenerational prosperity.
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We believe in developing mutually beneficial partnerships that lead to meaningful connections.
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We value understanding and directly addressing the ways in which gender and racial inequities have exposed single mothers to undue disparities. We utilize our networks for tangible progress towards change.
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We invest in each individual and provide opportunities for transformative growth toward economic stability and overall family wellness.
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We value the investment that our community has placed in us and believe in extending everything that we do back into this community.
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We believe in cultivating resiliency through a holistic approach that focuses on healthy minds, healthy relationships, physical wellness, and spiritual growth.
Seasons change, but our mission doesn’t.
Because of this, we are intentional in how we support our Mother Scholars and their children through each season of life while they are engaged in our program. Every season plays a meaningful role in their journey of growth, community, and empowerment, reflecting our commitment to walk with them through every stage.
Here’s how the Seasons Village values naturally align with the rhythm of the seasons:
Spring – Growth & Renewal
Values: Growth & Connectedness
Spring represents new beginnings, learning, and personal development. Just as nature blooms, individuals grow through opportunities for economic stability and wellness.
Connectedness reflects how spring brings people together, nurturing relationships and partnerships that create lasting impact.
Summer – Strength & Vitality
Values: Wellness & Respect
Summer is the season of fullness and resilience, mirroring wellness as it fosters mental, physical, and spiritual health.
The warmth of summer aligns with respect, as it signifies the dignity of all individuals, valued and recognized in their journeys.
Fall – Harvest & Responsibility
Values: Stewardship, Equity, & Advocacy
Fall is the season of harvest and accountability, aligning with stewardship, where we extend what we have back into the community.
Equity & Advocacy thrive in fall, as it’s a time for reflection, ensuring we address disparities and work toward tangible change before the next cycle begins.
Winter – Reflection & Resilience
Values: Respect & Wellness
Winter is a season of introspection and endurance, requiring resilience, a core aspect of wellness.
Respect is essential in winter, as communities lean on dignity and worth to navigate challenges, preparing for renewal in the next season.
A Look Back | Our History
The inspirational “seed” for Seasons Village was planted in 2015. The concept of supporting single mother led families, within a village environment of supportive peers, to open opportunities for the moms to go back to school for a post-secondary degree was first seen when Kim Shirley visited Project Row House in Houston Tx. The idea took hold, and lots of research went into what other nonprofits were doing around the country, and what were best practices for supporting single moms who desired educational credentials that would equip families to thrive. The concept remained in an aspirational state until Melanie Crockett said, “Let’s do this together”. That was the start of getting serious about launching a nonprofit here in Wake County. And that power of partnership, of someone coming alongside and saying let’s do this together, became foundational in the Seasons Village model. We partner with, and walk alongside, the women and their children throughout their time in our village.
Melanie came up with the suggestion for Seasons Village and we knew immediately that was the right name. We chose “Seasons” for the universal experience of lives going through different seasons and to encourage those who might feel they are in a winter season for example, that there are growth opportunities in all seasons and our winters prepare us for spring growth and blossoming. Each season has value as we all continually cycle through different life seasons. “Village” resonated, as we all need a village and know it takes a village, as well as our goal to have a literal village to
Co-Founders, Kim Shirley & Melanie Crockett