Faith-based nonprofit offers paid work, job training and child care to single moms in Kensington and Glenside

In a church basement in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, the whir of sewing machines fills the air as women stitch soup cozies, pot holders and aprons.

The work is part of Every Good Gift, a nonprofit that employs single mothers while providing job training and a foundation for their faith. For participants, the space is often more than a workplace; it is a step toward stability for themselves and their children.

The program serves mothers navigating poverty, trauma, unstable housing and limited support systems. Some are first-time mothers. Because participants often face safety concerns involving domestic partners or stalking, the organization withholds the last names of the women and the exact locations of its workspaces.

Jill Page Goss founded the nonprofit in 2015.

As executive director, Goss oversees operations in both Kensington and Glenside, Pa. The mission is to provide job, life and relationship skills grounded in Christian faith.

Since its inception, Every Good Gift has employed 175 women, Goss said. The core program combines job training, soft skills development, mentorship and child care assistance while participants produce handmade goods for sale to the public. For mothers struggling to find or afford child care, the organization provides on-site support so they can work with their children nearby.

The program operates weekdays during the day, split between the two locations. Goss said the organization uses a tiered pay system, with increases occurring after four weeks, a 90-day probationary period and six months of employment.

In addition to employment, Every Good Gift offers “Work Life,” a 12-lesson curriculum focused on personal and professional growth. The course covers interview preparation, professional communication and crafting an elevator pitch.

Goss said the vision for Every Good Gift grew from her time working with pregnant and parenting teens through an organization called Safe Families for Children.

“I saw people who had very limited resources, and yet had the same goals as everyone else – for their child to have a safe and stable childhood,” Goss said.

She began studying generational poverty and became convinced that young mothers needed practical job preparation alongside a spiritual foundation to help break the cycle.

Ailaisha, a young mother in the program, said she previously struggled without reliable support from family and friends. Now, she leans on a community of peers and mentors.

“It feels like a lot of different doors opening and a lot of different opportunities coming my way that I have never had or experienced before for both me and my kids,” Ailaisha said while she was sewing a pot holder.

Before joining the program, Ailaisha said balancing a job search with child care was a constant challenge. Through her work with Every Good Gift, she gained both.

Other participants said the spiritual aspect of the program was an unexpected source of growth.

“It meant a lot to me because it is really positive and I like how they did the Bible study — I just didn’t expect it to be included,” said Roshanda. “It helped save me and grow me as a first-time mother in many ways.”

Roshanda said the faith-based discussions and mentorship provided essential encouragement as she adjusted to early motherhood.

The program’s impact extends to volunteers like Christy Hoffman, who has served as a volunteer for over a year. She helps teach job skills and participates in Bible studies.

“One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering at Every Good Gift is getting to build relationships with the moms, and with their babies,” Hoffman said.

The organization’s mission often comes full circle through women like Cassandra. After first joining the program as a participant eight years ago, she now gives back as a volunteer.

“I wasn’t working at the time, and I saw a post on Facebook where I was able to bring my child with me,” she said. “You can’t do that at every job, so that is what really drew me in.”

Now a volunteer, Cassandra helps other women find the same footing she did, reflecting the program’s long-term impact on the community.

Ailaisha encourages other mothers to take the leap.

“Take on the opportunity,” she said. “Try it and see if you like it or don’t like it — then you can decide from there. But don’t miss out on something that could become a strong foundation in your life.”

To learn more about Every Good Gift or to purchase its handmade products, visit everygoodgift.org.

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