The Elisha Collaborative

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Our Story

Kelly Skelton, the founder and CEO of The Elisha Collaborative, is a dedicated single parent of three children: twin daughters, one of whom is moderately deaf, and a 24-year-old son with cerebral palsy. She has solely provided for her children both financially and emotionally, ensuring their needs are met despite the absence of their father due to life circumstances. This absence has added significant challenges to her journey, particularly in meeting basic necessities, the costs of which have risen dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from firsthand experience, Kelly intimately understands the physical, emotional, and financial strains of being a single parent while striving to create a stable, loving home where her children feel secure. Her personal journey has also exposed her to the systemic shortcomings in providing adequate support to both single-parent households and special needs adults over the age of 21.

Understanding the Mission of the Elisha Collaborative

The Elisha Collaborative employs a comprehensive multi-channel sales approach to drive donations, merchandise sales, fundraising events and corporate sponsorships. We procure discounted overstock inventory and distribute it to families in need. Our merchandise line funds purchases of essential items. We provide financial assistance for extracurricular activities and leverage community fundraising and corporate partnerships.
Single-parent families and special needs adults struggle to afford essentials due to inflation. 23% of U.S. children live in these homes, facing a “digital divide” in education.
Traditional assistance programs, while well-intentioned and beneficial in many ways, often fall short in addressing the immediate and ongoing needs of single-parent families and special needs adults over 21.
Additionally, many charities and nonprofit organizations focus primarily on food assistance or emergency relief, which, while vital, leaves significant gaps in other essential areas. These gaps include clothing, educational technology, and funding for extracurricular activities. This narrow focus, while addressing immediate hunger concerns, fails to provide a holistic solution to the multifaceted challenges faced by single-parent families and special needs adults.
Concurrently, a lesser-acknowledged but deeply vulnerable population—special needs adults over the age of 21—faces many of the same economic and systemic challenges. As they age out of youth-based support programs, access to everyday essentials, developmental services, and community engagement opportunities becomes increasingly scarce. Many live with aging caregivers or single parents already struggling to meet their own household’s needs. This transition period, often referred to as “falling off the cliff,” can lead to isolation, regression of skills, and decreased quality of life for these individuals and their families. In today’s increasingly digital world, access to technology has become essential for both children and adults. Computers, smartphones, and reliable internet are now fundamental to education, job applications, skill-building, and basic social engagement. Yet, the digital divide continues to grow—particularly for low-income
No Income restrictions. The Elisha Collaborative addresses this issue by operating without income restrictions, ensuring wider accessibility to its services. This approach recognizes that financial hardship can occur across various income levels and allows the organization to provide support based on need rather than arbitrary income cutoffs.

The Elisha Collaborative’s model represents a promising approach to addressing these issues, leveraging existing resources in novel ways to provide meaningful, sustained support to a vulnerable and often overlooked demographics.

Technology for Future Success

Advanced technology training programs prepare individuals for careers in growing fields, creating pathways out of financial hardships through skill development. Digital inclusion initiatives ensure that even those with limited resources can participate in today’s increasingly online world.

Technology loan programs allow individuals to borrow devices for job searches, educational pursuits, or remote work opportunities. This temporary adult assistance helps bridge gaps until permanent solutions become viable.

For families receiving single parent help, technology resources for children’s education ensure that the next generation develops essential digital skills regardless of household economic status. By addressing both immediate needs and future preparation, these programs create sustainable pathways toward stability.

Conclusion

Advanced technology training programs prepare individuals for careers in growing fields, creating pathways out of financial hardships through skill development. Digital inclusion initiatives ensure that even those with limited resources can participate in today’s increasingly online world.

Technology loan programs allow individuals to borrow devices for job searches, educational pursuits, or remote work opportunities. This temporary adult assistance helps bridge gaps until permanent solutions become viable.

For families receiving single parent help, technology resources for children’s education ensure that the next generation develops essential digital skills regardless of household economic status. By addressing both immediate needs and future preparation, these programs create sustainable pathways toward stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can single parents qualify for nonprofit assistance programs?

Most single parent help programs have specific eligibility requirements based on income level, number of dependents, and current needs. Typically, you'll need to provide documentation of your financial situation, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of expenses. Many non profit organizations offer application assistance to help you navigate the process. The best approach is to contact local organizations directly, as requirements vary between programs.

Technology assistance can include refurbished computers, tablets, internet access subsidies, and digital literacy training. Some programs offer technology lending libraries where you can borrow devices for specific purposes like job searching or education. Many nonprofits also provide workshops on using technology effectively for employment, education, and accessing essential services during periods of financial hardships.

Yes, many organizations offer help special needs services specifically designed for adults with disabilities. These can include vocational training adapted to different abilities, accessible housing assistance, specialized transportation services, and programs that combine adult assistance with independence-building skills. Case managers who specialize in disability services can help connect individuals with appropriate resources tailored to their specific needs.

Emergency clothing assistance typically works through distribution centers or voucher systems. Many programs maintain inventories of shoes, undergarments, and other essential items that can be provided immediately to those in need. Some organizations specialize in professional attire for job interviews, while others focus on everyday necessities. For immediate needs, many cities have crisis centers that can provide same-day assistance with basic items.

Non profit financial education resources typically include one-on-one budget counseling, debt management workshops, credit repair guidance, and programs that help build savings. Many organizations offer specialized financial literacy courses designed specifically for those experiencing financial hardships, with practical tools rather than theoretical concepts. Some programs even include matched savings initiatives where organizations match your savings contributions to help build emergency funds or assets more quickly.

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