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If you think you have an interesting "Today's Woman" topic, you can contact Candice Madsen at cmadsen@ksl.com. There are more than 50,000 single moms in Utah. One of those single moms, Dotti Durtschi, created Synergy magazine to serve as a hub for all the events, programs and organizations that can help single moms and their children.
"I'm a single mom. I have three kids, and I noticed I was like a pinball machine, bouncing around from organization to organization, trying to find ways to improve my life," Durtschi explained.
She wanted to do something to help other single moms and decided a magazine was the perfect avenue. So, she went back to school to get her associates degree in multimedia, and then started creating Synergy from the ground up, with no outside investment.
All of Durtschi's hard work and determination culminated at the party celebrating the launch of the magazine this month. "I took a leap of faith and just started it, and I've been connected to the most awesome people," she said.
The magazine's editor, Deborah Kirby, is one of the connections Durtschi made. "I was so fascinated by a magazine and her bigger vision of how she intends to do to bring together single moms and the resources that are out there that single moms might not know about," Kirby said.
Kirby became a single mother to her 15-year-old son after her husband died in an accident several years ago. She says while every mother's situation is different, all can find something of value in the magazine. "[It includes] everything from resources to ‘be aware of or paying the bills' or going back to school all the way to profiles of successful women," she said.
"Every month our single moms will pick up our magazine and read about two women who have walked the road before them and can show them not to give up hope, to let go of their fears and to move forward with your life," Durtschi explained.
Synergy magazine is free and is available at various locations around the state. CLICK HERE to find out where you can get a copy.
