Profile Assignment PR Relations Class
- 1. Single Moms’ Education Linked to Success of their Children By: Kristine Jimenez How will I make ends meet? What will happen if I don’t? Is it selfish of me to try to improve myself? Will things ever get better? How will this affect my child(ren)? These are just a few of the questions that run through a single mom’s mind almost daily. From the second her eyes open until the moment they close, she mulls over her obligations, trying to decide how to best execute them. Being a provider, protector and nurturer becomes second nature to her yet it never feels quite right. Free time is no longer free and luxuries are labeled a sacrifice. But the prospect of a better future for her and her children keeps her motivated. She always hopes her child(ren) will never have to experience the hardships she faced and wishes there was some way she could ensure this. Research supports that there is one piece of paper that could be the remedy that a single mother longs for, increasing the likelihood of her child(ren)’s success. A 14-year study performed by Brescia University College and Western University in Canada compared the overall long-term success of children from single mom homes with that of two-parent homes. The results were that the mother’s education was the most important factor along with family stability. The fact that the single mothers were more financially disadvantaged than the two-parent families was of little significance in terms of their child’s success. There were three measures of success used in the study: education, occupation and income. The children of single moms did equally as well as those from two-parent families and sometimes even better. People who grew up in a stable single mom household secured better jobs than those who grew up in stable two-family homes and had a lower divorce rate.
- 2. There are a number of reasons why some women become single parents but the reasons most commonly attributed to their financial struggle are absentee fathers and a lack of higher education. Of the nearly ten million single mothers in America, less than twenty percent have completed college. And many of the mothers who do finish college ordinarily take between six to fifteen years to do so because of the challenges they face. Christina Ramirez, a 31 year old single mother of two revealed, “I loved taking college courses but I had to stop going because I couldn’t afford it anymore. I get frustrated because I really can’t afford to do much.” Christina works two part time jobs to stay afloat. She dropped out of college over a decade ago due to limited funds and time constraints, but still hopes to return one day. Acquiring a degree can be tough for anyone. Education expenses, a rigorous workload, internships, and everything else that comes along with this endeavor is no easy feat. Studies show that less than fifty percent of Americans actually finish college. Tack on the toils of the traditional undergrad to the many obligations of a single mother and it seems inconceivable. Despite the challenges of this difficult undertaking, there are single mothers who manage to cross the finish line. Financial assistance and support are vital to the success of a single mother and her children. There are a number of non-profit organizations that cater specifically to a single mother’s needs: financial assistance, housing, food, childcare, health insurance, job training, etc. but there aren’t many that have dedicated themselves to assisting single mothers with completing college. In 2001, a minister by the name of Chris Coffman discovered this void in the non-profit sector. While driving around his local community in Phoenix, Arizona, trying to figure out how he could better serve its residents, he came across a boy approximately five years of age, walking alone. He immediately became disconcerted. With the assistance of another resident they
- 3. approached the child and accompanied him back to his dilapidated home. Mr. Coffman soon learned that the boy was left in the care of his ten year old sister while their mother slept. This was when he decided the need he wanted to focus on and Helping Hands for Single Moms was born. “Helping Hands for Single Moms is a community-based nonprofit that assists impoverished single mom families while the moms are pursuing a college education and financial independence” is the organization’s mission statement. With the help of many volunteers at its inception they have grown into a small nonprofit that’s made a big impact on the lives of nearly 500 local single moms. Jacinda Dawson, Program Director at Helping Hands for Single Moms, proudly shared that, “Helping Hands has their record number of graduates this spring 2015 semester. We have 23 women graduating!” Jacinda also stated, “There are plans to expand to New Mexico and Dallas within the next five years.” As a former recipient herself, she is able to validate the program. The agency has close to 70 supporters and partners that help single mothers make their dreams of upward mobility a reality. A few of the program benefits are tuition assistance, emergency funds, tech assistance, limited healthcare, legal counsel, and a single moms network. The network’s official name is: “Single Mom College Community.” The members gather monthly to support and encourage one another. According to Single Mother Guide, single motherhood is becoming the new norm. Almost half of the children born in the U.S. are born to single mothers and nearly two-thirds are under the age of 30. The median income for single mothers is $26,000 and more than half live in extreme poverty, unable to afford childcare. While some might be eligible for college grants and scholarships, many simply can’t afford the expenses connected with obtaining a degree. Without
- 4. a higher level of education their career prospects are limited and their children become at a higher risk of future disappointment. During his 2015 State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama highlighted his “bold new plan” to lower the cost of community college to zero. He stated that by the end of this decade 2 in 3 jobs will require a higher education. As President Obama emphasized, student debt can be a deterrent for many when it comes to returning to college and striving for a better, higher paying job. This not only affects the individuals but our country as a whole because there are many job vacancies that will go unfilled. The president’s attempt to tackle this grave problem is one that single mothers and their children will benefit from, removing one of their many barriers to financial freedom. “If community college becomes free, then I will absolutely return. I would like to get a degree in nursing so I can move out of my mom’s house and be able to help her instead of her helping us,” Karen Jackson, mother of one discloses on her way to her part time job. She further stated that she has been unable to acquire a full time job even though she has been actively searching for over a year. Helping Hands for Single Moms has been working diligently for 14 years to tackle the very same problem President Obama has brought to the forefront. Single mothers in Phoenix, Arizona who are eligible for the Helping Hands for Single Moms financial assistance are proving that with a helping hand they can secure better employment and increase their child(ren)’s chances of long-term success. Although they are only able to serve local residents at this time, Helping Hands for Single Moms has created a model for others to emulate and their expansion is right around the corner. Nearly seventy-five percent of their full scholarship clients have graduated or are currently enrolled in college while maintaining a 3.2 cumulative average GPA.
- 5. Many of the graduates have acquired positions with starting salaries of close to $45,000 allowing them to live more comfortably than when they entered the program. The 2010 U.S. Census revealed that college graduates typically earn between thirty six to seventy eight percent more than someone without a degree. A program catering specifically to a demographic that can benefit from financial assistance is a noble operation but it’s doubly effective when its usefulness will trickle down to future generations. The long-term effects of a parent’s education can break cycles and contribute immensely to society. A single mother’s self- esteem rises when she achieves financial freedom and no longer feels dependent on the kindness of others and the government to maintain her household. “I was raised by a single mother and I think that maybe there’s some truth to the belief that it’s a cycle. My mom didn’t finish school and I think if she did maybe I wouldn’t have been raised in an area where I was surrounded by other young single moms,” Christina Ramirez grew up in East New York, Brooklyn and her mother has worked in numerous retail stores since Christina was a child. She has one older brother who moved out of the house when he was 27 years old and now shares an apartment in the Bronx with two of his friends. Christina’s brother Pedro is a barber who also struggles to make ends meet. Providing for oneself can be a heavy load to bear. Being responsible for a family can be overwhelming. The fact remains that many single mothers live below poverty level and must juggle their duties while trying to figure out how to advance. Unfortunately, many single moms do not have the resources or the time to research and apply for scholarships that they may or may not qualify for. At times it can appear as though the odds are stacked against them, which in turn affects their children. There are helpful organizations such as Single Mother Help that act as resource locators. To start with, they have a list of the top ten organizations that help mothers.
- 6. They also have information and advice on various topics ranging from how to improve your chances of getting financial assistance to good parenting tips. In order to obtain curated content, mothers must create a profile. Single Mother Help is storehouse of knowledge for single mothers. The next step would be to seek local help. Short-term assistance can lead to life altering effects on entire families and future generations. Helping Hands for Single Moms is one of the few places a single mother can turn to that is heavily invested in providing them with hope for the future. Jacinda Dawson explained how Helping Hands for Single Moms differs from other non- profits that provide financial assistance to single mothers. “There are a very limited amount of organizations that specifically assist single mom college students. The main difference is we do not just provide financial assistance. We provide services such as AAA for their vehicle, auto care, and dental services. Some organizations do offer assistance with things like electric bills, but this is just a temporary fix. Education is a permanent fix.” The organization is best suited for those who are determined to complete their college education. Applicants must meet a specific criteria which includes already being registered in school and having a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8. Jacinda added that one of the most challenging aspects of her position is having to discharge clients who fall below the GPA requirement. Helping Hands for Single Moms does everything within its power to help their clients succeed but the clients must adhere to the original criteria for acceptance into the program. Completing a degree is a very cumbersome experience. But it is one that can be extremely rewarding. Jacinda shared a little about the personal achievement she is most proud of, “I am most proud of my education. By earning a degree as a single mom, I can really relate to my clients.” She learned about Helping Hands for Single Moms through her college and aside from the huge
- 7. impact it has had on her life she has had the pleasure of witnessing the effect the program has had on the lives of others. “The most significant impact I see is that once financially independent, their whole lives can change. They no longer reside in low-income housing. Their children can often attend better schools and live in nicer neighborhoods. So much can happen once the mom’s self-esteem raises from obtaining a college degree.” One sheet of paper can hold a lot weight and be just the ticket a single mom needs to attain a better life.
- 8. Interview Summary 1. Jacinda Dawson: Program Director at Helping Hands for Single Moms. Jacinda spoke with me about how she first learned about the organization, what made her interested in joining their team and her positive and negative experiences as an employee. She explained what makes the organization different, their selection process and a typical day at work for her. 2. Christina Ramirez: A 31 year old single mother of two children who resides in East New York, Brooklyn. She has an 11 year old son Dante and 2 year old daughter Candice. She works two part time jobs. Both of her children are from the same father. They have had a very tumultuous relationship and she has spent a grand majority of it as a single parent. She aspires to finish school but she has very limited time and money. She explained her struggle to get by on low pay and the assistance of her family members. She wishes that an organization like Helping Hands for Single Moms was in the local area so that she could even consider going back to school. She fears that her children will have to struggle the way she has especially because they live in an unsafe area. 3. Karen Jackson: A 25 year old single mother of a 5 year old daughter who resides in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She went to LaGuardia Community College for one semester and dropped out after completing 2 courses with low grades. She blames her poor college experience on depression and stress. She and her daughter Chantel live with her mother in a 2 bedroom apartment. She was working a full time job for a few years but was laid- off due to cutbacks. She now works part time and is searching for another full time job or an additional part time job. She wants to return to college but is unable to do so at this time. She said it’s not just tuition it’s also textbooks plus childcare expenses etc.