MOTHERHOOD IS one of the most universal experiences in the world, yet it remains one of the loneliest. The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” isn’t just a nice idea — it’s a reminder that families, especially mothers, need support, connection, and shared strength to thrive.
But in today’s times, that village has grown quieter. Families live farther apart, communities feel more fragmented, and many mothers carry the weight of parenting without the support generations before them relied on. The truth is simple — no woman was meant to navigate motherhood alone. And in a world where asking for help is often met with shame instead of compassion, organizations like Life Options Network are stepping in to rebuild the village every mother deserves.
Life Options Network, a 501(c)(3) organization, operates three locations across the country — two in Washington state and one next to Mt. Juliet. Their mission is simple but profound — to ensure no mother faces motherhood without support, resources, or someone in her corner.
“At Life Options Network, we provide resource information necessary for mothers and struggling families to receive the help they need,” said Life Options Network founder and president, Jennifer Hoffman. “We know information is power, and knowing where to go for resources like food, clothing, childcare, and shelter is essential to so many people who might otherwise continue to struggle. Our goal is to share the love of Christ as we advocate for vulnerable mothers and their children in all stages.”
The organization’s heartbeat is advocacy, education, and its free stores that are warm, welcoming spaces where mothers can shop for essentials without cost or judgment. But according to Hoffman, the deeper mission is empowerment.
“We want every woman to know she is powerful in the event of an unexpected pregnancy or difficult parenting circumstance,” she explained. “Here in the U.S., there is a culture of shame around asking for help. Whether you are married with three kids and struggle to pay the bills or are a single parent who doesn’t know where your family’s next meal will come from, we want to be a resource you can count on.”
A VILLAGE REBUILT, ONE FREE STORE AT A TIME
The free stores are stocked entirely by community donations but curated with dignity in mind. The stores offer everything from clothing to toys to brand-new car seats.
“We offer 0 to 5T clothing, maternity clothes, toys for kids, books, and brand-new car seats, in some locations,” Hoffman explained. “All of this is coming from the local community, which is really great because we do love that it’s kind of recycling. But all we put out is the best of the best. We want moms to feel dignity again. In these really hard moments of motherhood, we want them to know that they can be empowered.”
Life Options Network doesn’t stop providing diapers and clothing. Their advocacy program is long-term and deeply personal. They help mothers move into new housing, plan finances, access services, and build stability.
FINDING A HOME
Hoffman and her family moved to Tennessee in 2022 when her husband accepted a job in Nashville.
“I live in Lebanon,” she said. “My husband got a job in Nashville in 2022. We were looking around [for a place] to live, and we landed in Lebanon, and we love it here.”
While she wasn’t sure if Middle Tennessee would embrace the idea of a free store, those doubts were put to rest thanks to a local church.
“We had a local church come alongside us — New Tribe Church — to help us open and establish things,” Hoffman said. “It’s been pretty amazing. They’ve come around it, and they’ve been so excited, and we’ve been able to impact because of their partnership. And then we’ve been getting some local businesses engaged as well.”
A NATIONAL MISSION WITH LOCAL HEART
Hoffman said that while their physical locations are limited to three, their advocacy is nationwide.
“Our advocacy is national. People can reach out to us from anywhere across the country and get advocacy,” Hoffman said. “Because we see this as an issue across the nation, we want mamas to know that they can be helped.”
According to Hoffman, the best part of the organization is knowing that mothers are getting the village that they deserve, and that people both in Lebanon and across the country can help. All donations, no matter how small, make a big impact.
“We’ve already helped 64 mamas in Middle Tennessee since the beginning of 2026,” said Hoffman. “We helped hundreds last year in the Middle Tennessee area through our free store. If people give $10 a month, that’s going to help one mama come in the door annually,” she said. “And she gets up to $5,000 worth of free product, including baby furniture, clothing, supplies, and advocacy services, which are all included. We really understand that, a lot of times, women are making decisions because there just isn’t enough support. And we want to be that support system that supports where, if a mother needs somewhere to fall back, she can.” GN
For more information, visit online at lifeoptionsnetwork.org.
