MHHFO Coaching Academy
Life-skills and leadership programming for ages 9–12, 13–15 and 16–18 — character, communication, decision-making, financial literacy and college/career readiness.
Mending Hearts And Homes Family Outreach
Alabama · 501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 93-1331993
Roots to stand on. Wings to rise. Room to grow.
Mending Hearts And Homes Family Outreach, Inc. (MHHFO) walks alongside children, youth, families, veterans and neighbors across Alabama — mentoring, reading together, building leaders, and making sure nobody carries the hard seasons alone.
Our mission
Restoring hearts and homes. Building stronger youth, families and communities — together.
MHHFO is an Alabama nonprofit, incorporated in 2002, strengthening children, youth, families, single mothers, veterans and communities through literacy, education, mentoring, character development, life skills, leadership, family support, wellness, economic empowerment, and service — organized under one simple framework: Roots • Wings • Grow.
Roots
A strong foundation — family, literacy, education, character, culture, values, mentorship and community.
Wings
Life skills, leadership, education and career preparation that let a young person picture a future and go get it.
Grow
Opportunity, service, employment, entrepreneurship, higher education and community involvement that carry a household forward.
Programs
What we run, week in and week out.
Every initiative sits under the Roots • Wings • Grow framework and is designed for the children, teens, families, single moms and veterans we serve.
Literacy & Reading Initiative
Reading clubs, family reading nights, book distribution, storytelling and reading competitions that build literacy at every age.
After-School Education Program
Homework support, reading, STEM/STEAM, creative arts, social-emotional learning and mentorship for elementary-age students.
Diamonds & Pearls Leadership Initiative
Leadership development for young women and young adults — confidence, professional etiquette, financial literacy and mentorship.
Boys Leadership Development
Character, responsibility, confidence, decision-making and community service for boys and young men.
Veterans In Need (VIN)
Resource navigation, community referrals, employment and educational resources for veterans and their families.
Single Moms Initiative
A workforce-development concept pairing job preparation, culinary training, financial literacy and mentorship for single mothers.
Safe Haven Youth Initiative
The Roots & Wings Healing Circle — structured activities, mentoring and support for healthy youth development.
Where we serve
Where the need is, we seek to serve.
MHHFO's current and planned community focus includes Birmingham and Jefferson, Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Mobile and Shelby counties, with room to grow wherever there's demonstrated need and the right partnerships.
Birmingham
Jefferson County
Clarke County
Washington County
Wilcox County
Mobile County
Shelby County
Our founder
The person behind the vision.
Founder, CEO & Executive Director
Shernavian Roper Vandiber
Shernavian Roper Vandiber founded MHHFO after decades of work in hospitals, group homes, shelters, schools and community programs — including as a behavior interventionist at a children's hospital, a substitute teacher, a court counselor, and a certified foster parent. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and has completed Alabama DHR training, CPI crisis-prevention certification, and foster-parent certification.
"Roots give us our foundation. Wings give us the courage to soar. And growth gives us the opportunity to become everything we were created to be."
Programs Director
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Youth & Mentoring Lead
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Veteran Services Coordinator
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Partners & funders
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partner logo
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Questions
Before you reach out.
If your question isn't here, call or email us. A real person answers during office hours.
Who can join a program?+
Any child, youth, family, single mother or veteran in our service area. There is no cost and no membership — start with a call or the form below.
How do I volunteer or mentor?+
Mentors complete a background check and a short orientation, then commit to about two hours a week. Event and drive volunteers can start right away.
Where does a donation go?+
Directly into programming — books, mentor training, event costs and family assistance. MHHFO is a 501(c)(3), so gifts are tax deductible.
What does "Roots • Wings • Grow" mean?+
It's how MHHFO sequences its work: build a strong foundation first (Roots), equip people with skills and confidence (Wings), then move individuals and communities forward (Grow).
Contact & locations
Reach out. We'd love to hear from you.
Whether you need a program, want to volunteer, or are looking for a way to give — start here.
Serving Birmingham/Vestavia Hills & Jefferson, Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Mobile and Shelby Counties, Alabama
Street address to add · Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Street address to add · Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm