NFL player starts organization to honor single moms

Jasmine Smith has a special message for single moms: "We are worth more than our circumstances."

A single mom of three daughters, the 25-year-old Smith delivered that message to six other single moms who gathered at a Sunday "Sisters of Strength" luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel on Sidney Simons Boulevard in Columbus.

It was labeled as a "celebration of women who do what it takes to keep their families safe and strong."

The meal was the first event of a new organization, the M II Foundation Inc., which is being started by NFL linebacker Marcus Smith II.

Smith played at Hardaway High School and at the University of Louisville.

He was playing in a game with the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night and could not be present for the event, which was hosted by his sister, Jasmine. She said some people judge single moms in a negative fashion.

"Marcus is starting this because he wants to help me and others like me," she said. "He knows there are struggles."

The six women invited were treated to a meal, given a turkey, a gift card and they got to have a professional Christmas photograph taken with their children.

"We are just getting started. I am putting together a team," said Smith, who teaches at Childcare Network.

"We want to be able to lend support to single moms in any way we can. Some single moms just need somebody to talk with."

She said she is "super excited" that her brother is so passionate about helping single mothers.

She feels that by working with this organization she can be a role model for her daughter.

There is no website yet. For those who wish to find out more, Smith may be reached at 706-617-9163 or at nicole25beauty@yahoo.com.

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "NFL player starts organization to honor single moms ."