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Tisha Janigian’s story is far from unique—that of a young mother trying to make a life for herself and her two young sons after leaving an unhealthy marriage. In 2012, Janigian found herself with no money, no assets, and her belongings in storage. Each step forward seemed to bring new challenges. Securing a few hours of work each week resulted in a deep cut in food stamp benefits, revealing flaws in a system that seemed to be designed to keep people dependent.
While her story is not unique, Janigian’s response was. She describes “side hustles” that included research focus groups; baby and pet sitting; and scouring Craigslist, Freecycle, and even the side of the road for items to resell that helped Janigian cover basic expenses. This income, along with minimal child support, put her just above the poverty line, where little or no assistance is available. Janigian says her love and commitment to her sons sustained her until she found a part-time job that led to a promotion and a more stable financial state.
Building a Community of Empowerment
Over the next seven years, Janigian talked with other single mothers and quickly saw the systemic problems of public programs more designed to give handouts than hand-ups. Janigian says every mom mainly desired a short-term boost—resources and support to rebuild her life. She knew she wanted to make a difference, and with that, SHE IS HOPE LA was born.
SHE IS HOPE LA stands for Single moms, Housing & Empowerment Inspiring Self-confidence through Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance & Education Los Angeles. The 501(c)(3) foundation, created in 2019, is shaped by the belief that inadequate support for single mothers perpetuates poverty. Since then, the group has helped more than 1,500 single-mother families.
“When you’re doing everything yourself and feeling completely alone, you know you are not because Tisha is there. She is an angel on earth.”
–Michele Matheson, single mom
Help comes in the form of necessities provided via a clothing boutique and food bank Janigian opened with partner organizations. But Janigian’s broader vision was to make a more long-lasting impact by nurturing the moms’ self-esteem—often the first casualty of financial insecurity—and helping them get to a place mentally, physically, and emotionally where they can help themselves. The foundation offers resource guides and practical courses on credit repair and banking, wellbeing and workplace skills—all available free and online when in-person attendance is not possible.
Changing Lives by Inspiring Self-worth
The women who benefit from SHE IS HOPE are a testament to Janigian’s vision and leadership and to Janigian herself. “I’ve seen so many women come to SHE IS HOPE and watched their confidence grow,” says Wren Sarrow, board member and director of events, who has supported Janigian’s vision from the beginning. “Tisha is the most generous, loving person,” Sarrow says. “Her nonjudgmental nature and trust in people gives them self-value and allows them to grow.”
Victoria Gillett credits Janigian with changing her life after meeting her at a Target store and striking up a conversation over Janigian’s leopard-print pants. “In that first conversation, I mentioned I was a single mother, and she told me about her foundation,” Gillett says. “I used her food bank and attended her courses. I learned how to create a résumé that helped me stand out despite my limited job experience in housekeeping. Five years later, I’m a certified nursing assistant. I can now take care of my family and myself.”
Juliamari Samaniego connected with Janigian through a service to clean her house. “I was a recent single mom, trying to figure out how to survive,” Samaniego says. “Tisha asked if I would be comfortable working for her directly and then encouraged me to start my own service, connecting me to businesses that hired cleaners. Because of her financing courses, I now have insurance and a retirement plan and understand the value of generational wealth.
“Today, I’m the co-manager of a native plant nursery,” Samaniego says. “Tisha empowered me to have the belief in myself that she had in me.”
Commissions for a Cause
Janigian’s realty firm, SHE IS HOPE Realty, is part of her strategy to take her vision to the next level. A percentage of every commission goes to the foundation. But the real estate connection goes deeper. Janigian helps moms with rental applications and lease reviews. She has also arranged scholarships for several moms to take the California licensing class, including Gillett, who plans to join the firm once she passes the exam.
“I’ve never met anything like it. I call it the ‘Tisha factor.’ Once you meet her, how can you not be involved?” –Timber Rose, volunteer and board member
Agents and clients alike are happy to be part of the community offering single moms a hand up. Janigian wants to provide more housing support, getting moms and their kids into a home for at least two years. “It takes time to pull yourself up, and you can’t do that if you’re worried about where your kids sleep,” Janigian says. The foundation is documenting data necessary to secure large grants for housing. “I can’t wait until we qualify,” says Janigian. “Then watch out!”
Janigian hopes to replicate her realty model to support SHE IS HOPE initiatives elsewhere, possibly through franchising. As a 2024 district vice president for the Women’s Council of REALTORS® in California, she meets many like-minded agents. Also, her oldest son plans to get licensed, join the firm, and continue Janigian’s work to empower single mothers.
Janigian tells moms she wishes they could see in themselves what she sees in them. “I encourage them to use their bad experiences to catapult themselves forward and take others with them,” she says. “When that happens, it’s like ripping open the Superman shirt.”
Tisha Janigian is broker/owner of SHE IS HOPE Realty in Canoga Park, Calif. She is the founder of SHE IS HOPE LA which has served 1,500 single-mother families.
