Empower & Equip Single Parents Enrolled in College

We are thrilled to share some heartwarming news with you! Thanks to your unwavering support, ten incredible single parents have achieved their dreams of obtaining a higher education this spring. Your generosity has been the driving force behind this remarkable accomplishment.

These graduates are not only transforming their lives but also leaving a profound impact on the community. By earning their degrees, they have decreased public assistance by a staggering $686,000 this spring alone. This is a testament to the power of your compassion and belief in their potential.

With newfound confidence and knowledge, these parents are now equipped to create better futures for their families. They are contributing to the local economy, even giving back to this program to pay it forward for someone else. They have found meaningful employment doubling their salaries, and are setting positive examples for their children.

Your dedication to their education has ignited a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classroom. You have played an essential role in empowering these parents, inspiring hope, and fostering lasting change within our community.

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest gratitude for standing by us in this journey. Together, we are transforming lives and making dreams come true. Thank you for being the driving force behind this incredible success.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Kenita Smith, BBA, MBA, MA

President/CEO & Founer

H.O.P.E, Inc. 

Links:

• https://hopbe.org
• MeChelle's Story

Hi Game Changers!

I am SO excited to report to you the incredible success you have made in the lives of 10 single parents who graduates from college last year, and the 15 more graduating this year! The impact of this initiative on the equity landscape in the United States has been remarkable, and we have some data to back it up.

Our survey, taken in March 2023 and submitted to our graduates, resulted in some fantastic additional data. Firstly, 91% of our graduates are now working in their career field, while the remaining 9% are working at higher income levels in a different career field. This success rate is unprecedented, and we are proud YOU have played a role in making it happen.

What is even more exciting is that 50% of our graduates are the first members of their family to attend college and graduate. This achievement has broken down barriers for their families and has paved the way for future generations to pursue their dreams.

Furthermore, when the single parent participants that responded to our survey started our program, 47% of them were making under $20,000 per year. However, now, 47% of our graduates have yearly incomes between $20,000 and $40,000, and 3% have incomes between $40,000 and $50,000, which is a 75% increase. This increase in income has allowed our graduates to provide better for themselves and their families, leading to increased financial stability.

But that's not all! When our program started, 50% of our responding graduates did not have a savings account. Now, 78% of them have established savings accounts with an average balance total of $3,253. This financial literacy and planning are critical to our graduates' continued success and growth.

Lastly, the credit scores of our graduates have shown a significant improvement since completing our program. When the single parent participants that responded to our survey started our program, 50% of them had a very poor credit rating of 573. However, since graduating, their scores average to be 621 or greater, which is a 47-point average credit score change. This improvement in credit scores has led to better access to loans and credit, further increasing our graduates' financial stability.

In conclusion, YOU have made a significant impact on the lives of our graduates and their families. YOU have not only provided them with an education, but you have also the tools and resources necessary to achieve financial stability and success. We are so grateful for YOU and hope that you will continue to invest in our project so that we can continue to make a difference in the lives of single parents and their families. Thank you for EVERYTHING!

Links:

• From Single Mom to Successful Nurse: A Graduate's Inspiring Jour