Let’s be honest, being a parent is hard work. It’s challenging to juggle providing for the needs of our families physically, emotionally, and financially. Not to mention our own desires and dreams.
For a long time, my “mom” time with my kids was scrunched into mornings before I scurried off to work, or squeezed into condensed evening hours which often involved car rides to/from practices and activities. I felt like my time with my kids was not enough.
Yet, I also strongly desired to be able to do something that would make a difference for other people. And our family needed two incomes. I didn’t know how to make it all work.
Later in my life I ran across an opportunity that provides a solution to the conundrum of being able to stay home with your kids while also doing income-generating, meaningful work: becoming a mentor for REM Iowa’s Host Home Program!
I am sharing this information in the hopes that it may reach that mom or dad who wishes they could financially stay home with their kids and still do something that feels big and provides a sense of value.
Make an Income + Do Something Meaningful
REM Iowa offers a chance to do something meaningful, give back to others and to your community, and make an income from home as a Mentor through their Host Home Program.
This unique program enlists vetted Mentors to provide a nurturing home for individuals with intellectual disabilities or brain injuries either as a Mentor on a full time basis or as a Sub Mentor, supporting as needed.
The supports Mentors provide are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individuals who live with them. The actual level of support, supervision and active assistance varies, depending on the needs of each individual. REM Iowa conducts a comprehensive matching process to carefully match the preferences, lifestyles, and needs of both Mentors and individuals.
REM Iowa offers Mentors 24/7 support from an experienced team of professionals, skill development opportunities, a competitive stipend, and the reward of making a difference in someone’s life. Plus, the bonds of friendship you create can last a lifetime!
To qualify for the program, Mentors must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks, have a spare bedroom (at least 8’x10’), complete home and safety inspections, and pass CPR, First Aid, Dependent Adult Abuse coursework among a few other requirements.
Find Out More
To find out how you can make a difference in the life of an individual with disabilities while also providing for your family, visit www.makeadifferenceathome.com. Have questions? Check out their FAQs. Ready to talk with someone about how it could work for you? Fill out this form or call 319-393-1944.
About Our Guest Blogger
Dede Eschen, Mentor Recruiter, REM Iowa
Dede is a life-long Eastern Iowan who enjoys being active at home with her family, at work, and within her broader living community. Her marketing background and business development experience coupled with her love for helping others has landed her in this position where she contributes positively in all aspects of work, life, home, and with others. “I am humbled at the opportunities REM has offered me, where I can work with such great people, help others daily, and do something so meaningful.”
About REM Iowa:
Since 1979, REM Iowa has provided quality services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other complex challenges. Their personalized approach maximizes each person’s unique efforts to learn, grow, and thrive in the communities they call home. REM Iowa is a partner of The MENTOR Network, a national network of local health and human services providers offering an array of quality, community-based services across the country.