OUTREACH GROUP PLANS FUND-RAISER BENEFIT TO AID SINGLE MOTHERS.

OUTREACH GROUP PLANS FUND-RAISER BENEFIT TO AID SINGLE MOTHERS. Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA - Every month, for more than 80 women in this community, Single Mothers Outreach is the bridge between desperation and survival.

Founded in 1995, the group works to empower women who are raising children on their own - through education and emotional and economic support. Grants and private donations make such programs possible, said Debbie Quick, who founded the group and serves as its executive director.

``But right now I'm nervous,'' she said. Although the group recently received a grant infants to help keep up with assistance programs and local merchants continue to support the program's clients, ticket sales for an upcoming fund-raiser were not going as fast as Quick hoped.

``Last year at our luncheon, we had 90 people there and raised $8,000,'' she said. ``This year we only have 50 reservations, so far.''

The luncheon will be held June 22 at the Hyatt Valencia and

features motivational speaker Billy Blanks and his wife, Gayle. The couple's foundation offers women and their children a positive, nurturing environment and resources to build self-esteem and life skills that foster success.

Quick said women come to the group every day with requests - most of which are reasonable, others impossible. Requests to serve court papers are beyond the scope of the outreach, but finding furniture, food and safe transportation for children is a breeze. In addition, many women who have received help from the group do come back and offer their own skills to other women.

``We have moms in the group who do financing that have helped women get their money together to get housing, and others who can help them find jobs,'' she said. ``We've had the Highway Patrol come over with a carload of toys for the kids; we've been able to get mentors for kids and got some into summer camp.''

One woman who recently received help from the group spends a good

portion of her free time helping with the luncheon, packing gifts and doing what she can. As Quick talked with a visitor, two mothers were working in the office, stocking shelves and doing paperwork. And the phone kept ringing and ringing.

A single mom who had called Quick recently was able to garner Blanks as the keynote speaker for the luncheon.

``She called me and said she was feeling really sorry for herself, and I told her to stop that and see what she could do for Single Mothers Outreach,'' Quick said. ``She knew some entertainers and was able to contact him.''

The group will honor its Mother of the Year and Volunteer of the Year at the luncheon.

``The criteria for mother of the year is, someone who is obviously a good mother who, no matter what, she still puts her children first,'' Quick explained. ``It's also somebody who helps back - not just a taker, but someone who has pulled herself up and shown progress by improving her situation.''

Tickets, which cost $50 per person, are still available for the luncheon. The event will also feature a silent auction of goods and services from members and supporters. For information, call Quick at (661) 298-9593.

Carol Rock, (661) 257-5252

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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