Building Financial Confidence for Single Mothers

Globally, an estimated 15–20% of people are neurodivergent, meaning they experience the world in ways that differ from typical neurological patterns. Millions of single mothers are raising neurodivergent children while navigating added financial strain, limited support systems, and services that often fall short of their families’ real needs.

That reality is what led Sandra Lacinová to found Via Connecta in the Czech Republic. Drawing from her own experience as a mother of a neurodivergent child, Sandra created Via Connecta to fill critical gaps in financial education and emotional support for families, especially single parents who are often left to manage complex systems on their own.

With the help of our Giving Joy $500 microgrant, Via Connecta launched its first financial literacy workshop for single mothers raising neurodivergent children. The workshop was designed to be practical, accessible, and stigma-free, equipping parents with concrete tools for budgeting, managing expenses, understanding benefits, and reducing financial stress. Just as importantly, it created a safe space where parents could share experiences and feel understood.

The impact was immediate. Fifteen single parents gained greater financial confidence and a clearer sense of control, with ripple effects reaching an estimated 30 family members - most often children who benefit when caregivers feel calmer and more secure. Parents shared that they left with real plans, renewed confidence, and new possibilities. Several learned for the first time about financial support they were entitled to via the government, and one participant even came up with a business idea she now hopes to pursue, opening the door to longer-term economic independence.

By integrating financial skills with emotional support, Via Connecta is reimagining what effective care looks like for families often overlooked. With plans to expand into additional workshops and child-focused programming, Sandra’s work continues to build stability, dignity, and hope.