The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas held its annual Empower Summit on Sept. 28, Oct. 5, and Oct.12 using Zoom.
Recipients, alumni and general members of the public gathered virtually for three nights of Zoom sessions, each focusing on a specific area of career development.
Outreach Manager Katie Glenn said the event looked a little different this year due to COVID-19.
“With COVID, and everything, we had to make some adjustments, Glenn said, “which actually ended up being a great thing.”
“The summit is all about resume writing, financial management, and dressing for success,Glenn said. “It is also a great chance for people to get together and meet others who are in similar situations.”
The nonprofit holds several other gatherings for their families. Some including mini-golf tournaments, guest lectures and their upcoming holiday event: The Jingle Mingle.
Development Manager, Mallory Mounce, said normally they will get together with some of their larger donors and recipients for signature cocktails. This year, it will be held virtually on Dec. 10.
“With COVID and how much things have changed and how we have adapted and the ways we are trying to stay relevant and unique with our virtual events is really exciting,” Mounce said.
The Single Parent Scholarship Fund is unique in that it follows the journey of its recipients and forms personal connections with their families.
“To see the passion and change that has built-in them just from semester to semester is one of the most amazing things,” Glenn said.
The nonprofit supports single moms and dads to further their education, whether that be going to a university or receiving a certification, Mounce said.
Glenn said on average when a recipient enters into their program, they are making about $16,000 to $17,000 a year, which is below the poverty line. When they graduate from the program, recipients average about $35,000 to $40,000 a year.
Scholarship recipients must go through an application process in order to be considered.
“Our goal is to move them from those minimum wage jobs and help them pull their family out of poverty and, you know, lead them to a better life for not only them, but also their families,” Mounce said.
The organization has given close to 7 million worth of scholarships to 10,000 families in the past 36 years.
Due to COVID-19, there are no current volunteer opportunities, but the public can help through spreading awareness and donating.
“We’re kind of an anomaly in the nonprofit world around here,” Glenn said. “All of our administrative costs are covered by a private grant, so you can rest assured that what you are donating is going into the hands of our local moms and dads.”
The public is encouraged donate using the organizations website: https://www.spsfnwa.org/support/.
