Will served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003-2007. He said this experience showed him he can achieve hard things. 2022 Newsletter | aspsf.org Scholarship recipient Toccara (left) inspires her family (right) to work hard for their goals. Continued on page on back Few parents can say they graduated at the same time as their children, but single mom Toccara Pearson will do it twice! In May 2019, Toccara completed her associate degree from the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College as her oldest daughter, To’Kira, graduated high school. This spring, Toccara will receive her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as her son, To’Darius, completes his high school diploma. “I’m going to try and work it out so that I can graduate with my youngest, To’Mira, who is 14 years old, with my masters because no mother can say she graduated with all three of her children!” Toccara said. Toccara has been a recipient of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund since spring 2019. She is grateful for the scholarship — which has helped her buy food for her family, pay electricity bills, purchase a computer for schoolwork, and afford a car repair after a baseball practice ended with a smashed window — and the community she’s gained through workshops, mentors, and other single parents. Toccara’s journey has not been an easy one. She was 8 years old when her mother died. Her father turned to alcohol to cope with the stress of being a single father, and over time this led to violence in the home. She went to live with her grandmother, and then during her senior year of high school, became pregnant. “At the time, I thought that my life was ending, and I wasn’t going to graduate,” she said. “Fortunately, my high school counselor intervened. She let me know that my life wasn’t ending, it was just beginning, and she was going to be by my side.” Celebrating the Important Role of Single Parents Toccara Pearson overcomes challenges to obtaining her associate and bachelor’s degrees with support from Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund Little Rock single mother shows her three children ‘it’s never too late’ to go back to school Celebrating the Important Role You Play in Single Parent Success 2023 Fall Newsletter Newsletter sponsored by Right At Home | www.littlerockcare.com | 501.673.3166 Move over Superman — there’s a new superhero! He doesn’t fly or turn invisible, but he is one of the strongest people you will ever meet. Will is a single dad raising three girls. And among their soccer games, work, and volunteering to prevent veteran suicide, he started college in his mid-30s to become a licensed psychologist. “Being a veteran myself and going through some of the same issues prevalent with returning veterans, I decided to use my unique experiences as a way to help others realize their dreams no matter the odds against them,” he said. Your donations to Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund helped Will graduate this spring with a 4.0 GPA. This consistent support he received gave him encouragement when he needed it the most! “It provided a sense of security since 2019 when I started this journey,” he said. “There aren’t adequate words to thank you, the people who give their hard-earned money to chip in and help someone go to school that they don’t even know.” “There aren’t adequate words to thank you.” -Will, ASPSF Alum 2023 Graduate, Bachelor’s in Psychology, Central Baptist College Veteran finds ‘sense of security’ from scholarship With his degree, Will wants to show his daughters that “our pasts do not define who we are and where we can go.” Now pursuing his doctorate, Will is the proud papa of Danielle (far right), a high school senior enlisting in the Army; Alyssa (second from right), a high school junior; and Lydia (far left) an Arkansas Tech University sophomore. They celebrated his 2023 graduation from Central Baptist College with his girlfriend, Candy (second from left).
Why we give “I love to see single parents accomplish great things! ASPSF assists them in obtaining the information, tools, and ability to start a career that allows them to take care of themselves and their family.” -Freda (Grandy) Calloway Monthly Donor & Volunteer in Monticello Thanks to your donations, more than 480 low-income single parents received a scholarship from ASPSF for the Fall 2023 semester. Over $700,000 in scholarship funds were awarded! The support helps recipients like Skylar stay afloat when times get tough. Just as school started, Skylar learned her SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits ran out. How was she going to feed her children, pay bills, and get to school? Her Fall award from ASPSF would cover some of these things, but not all. Skylar shared these concerns with her ASPSF program manager, who quickly sent her a list of local food pantries. Skylar remained positive and was determined to “make it work.” Soon enough, Skylar found a new job that paid $5 more per hour and would count toward a required internship for school! She was hired for the new job because of her educational experiences. And her current degree path in business technology will lead right to a promotion with the new employer. This couldn’t have happened without you! Skylar found the strength to carry on because you believed in her. She, like so many of our single parents, is working so hard to provide a better life for their family. $700K in scholarships distributed this Fall Only a few classes remain until Fall recipient Skylar graduates — and earns a promotion with her new employer. Southeast Arkansas recipients celebrate their Fall scholarships with Commercial National Bank of Texarkana.
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHTS At our first statewide event, The Lunch Break, ASPSF celebrated seven partners for their incredible generosity and commitment to single parent success. Outstanding School Partners Enrollment Under 2,500 Enrollment Over 2,500 “ATU-Ozark is No. 1 in promoting ASPSF on campus. Staff even help students complete their ASPSF applications.” -Christi Brown ASPSF Program Manager “From their matching funds program to the volunteers, UAFS provides excellent support to students and ASPSF staff.” -Christi Brown ASPSF Program Manager Outstanding Corporate Partners Under 50 employees Over 50 employees “MailCo’s customer service is incredible. The team has reprinted projects at no cost and sponsored an issue of The Honor Role.” -Jen Para ASPSF Communications Director “In 2022, Cadence Bank Foundation contributed $34,000. The bank is also a reliable source for student workshops.” -Shaila Creekmore ASPSF Development Manager “The Presbyterian Women have 10+ church members as active volunteers, and they have donated more than $13,000 since 2017.” -Dawn Cattaneo ASPSF Volunteer “She buys tickets, offers program advice, sponsors promotional videos, and proves to our single parents there are people who care.” -Dawn Cattaneo ASPSF Volunteer Presbyterian Women of FPCHS Dorothy Morris “Hundreds of students, dubbed Entergy Scholars, have benefited from their financial assistance while in school.” -Ruthanne Hill ASPSF Executive Director Outstanding Organization Outstanding Philanthropist Legacy Award
T-shirts and totes, oh my! You can buy all your holiday gifts this year through ASPSF’s new online retail shop at aspsf.org/store. You’ll find a selection of fun, original designs that will show the world your support for ending single parent poverty through higher education. Plus, all proceeds help single parent students across Arkansas get the support they need to graduate and find a job with family-supporting wages. What are you waiting for? Get your new t-shirt and tote today! Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund PO Box 854, Springdale, AR 72765 479.927.1402 | [email protected] | www.aspsf.org Change A Life Today! Use your phone camera to scan the QR code or visit WWW.ASPSF.ORG/GIVE. ASPSF swag for the whole family Dazzling Diamond Earrings Raffle These gorgeous diamond cluster earrings worth $2,500 will add sparkle and shine to any occasion — from a girls’ night out to date night! Plus, the raffle now includes a chance to win $300 and $500 in Amazon gift cards. 1 ticket for $40 or 3 tickets for $100 Only 300 tickets available! Winners will be drawn once all tickets are sold. Proceeds support single parent success across Arkansas. Go to aspsf.org/diamond to learn how you can purchase your TAX DEDUCTIBLE tickets. Helping Others Really Pays. If you are looking for a meaningful job with flexible hours, caregiving is the job for you! Newsletter sponsor [email protected] 501.673.3166 16607 Cantrell Road, Ste. 6 Little Rock, AR 72223 7510 Highway 107 Sherwood, AR 72120 www.LittleRockCare.com Paid training and development A positive work environment Flexible schedules to fit your life Paid PTO and health benefits Contact information