ATU graduate reflects on final semester: ‘I had to be the example to my kids’

Tuesday Howard would never have made it to her graduation ceremony without the help from Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s supporters. Family finances were rocky during her last semester of college. While her single parent scholarship helped pay for some of her bills, Tuesday barely had the resources to pay for her final semester and keep her family afloat.  And when graduation day arrived, Tuesday realized she had no gas in her car and no extra cash to refill the tank. &... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 5/30/23

ASPSF celebrates Denese Bogard for her 24 years as volunteer

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is thrilled to honor and celebrate Denese Bogard of Mississippi County as the May 2023 Volunteer of the Month.  For two dozen years, Denese has graciously given her time to help single parent scholars complete their education and find a career with family-supporting wages. As the Educational Advisor for the Educational Opportunity Center TRiO Program at Arkansas Northeastern College, she recruits new single parent recipients and mentors ASPSF... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 5/15/23

Communities come together for Spring 2023 ASPSF award ceremonies

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awarded nearly 400 scholarships for the Spring 2023 semester. To celebrate the single parents' achievement, communities across the state hosted scholarship ceremonies with workshops, speakers, and snacks. Check out photos from the events below!    Hot Springs families enjoyed a fun evening of scholarships, magic, and electrical safety by The Scott Davis Comedy Magic Show, sponsored by Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.   Sixty-four Nort... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 5/9/23

Women’s Giving Circle chapters form across Arkansas

The ASPSF Women’s Giving Circle has officially launched! Excitement is building as women gather across the state, connecting with friends, meeting other women, and planning ways to support our single parent families. With chapters in Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock, and online, no matter where you are in Arkansas — or even out of state — there’s a chapter for you! Women’s Giving Circle members are professional women, age 21 and older, at dif... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 5/8/23

Murphy USA shares career advice with single parents

ASPSF students in Union County recently attended Speed Career Networking, an event hosted by Murphy USA in El Dorado.  Similar to speed dating, students spent 15-minute sessions with employees, asking questions about their career journeys and learning about their current roles and responsibilities.   “Our students learned so much, and we are grateful to MUSA for the time and attention devoted to them,” ASPSF Program Manager Sandra Warren said. “We heard lots ... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 5/5/23

ASPSF Supporter Spotlight: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Foundation, Inc.

Did you know ASPSF recipients enrolled at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith receive extra aid every semester?  The UAFS Foundation matches each single parent scholarship by 25%. The money is deposited into the students’ school accounts. That means our single parents are receiving up to $300 more each term! “We can’t thank UAFS enough for this creative and innovative idea,” ASPSF Executive Director Ruthanne Hill said. “And while they’l... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 5/3/23

Pulaski County single mom soon to graduate with accounting degree

Tough times don't last, tough people do. That’s what single mom Kimberley Kendrick wants to show her teenage daughter by becoming an accountant. The journey has been long, but Kimberley will soon graduate from Arkansas Baptist College with a bachelor’s degree. Kimberley became a mother the year after she graduated from high school in the mid-2000s. At the time, she was enrolled in college classes but dropped out shortly after her daughter’s arrival. Caring for an infant, wo... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 4/25/23

Volunteer Jennifer Scott ‘helps with everything,’ ASPSF program manager says

Jennifer Scott (left) receives a certificate from ASPSF Program Manager Kim Paul-Williams, recognizing Jennifer as the Volunteer of the Month for April 2023.  Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is grateful for volunteers like Jennifer Scott of Boone County. “Jennifer helps with everything,” ASPSF Program Manager Kim Paul-Williams said. “She has helped with the United Way golf tournament and Ride the Ozarks Rally every year. She also helps with applications, review... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 4/5/23

ASPSF Graduate ‘never felt like a single mother’

Dear ASPSF Supporters, I would like you to know that you were essential to my son, my success, and my life! I have never felt like a single mother thanks to your support. You are no stranger; you are  my family. You sat at my dinner table, you put presents under our Christmas tree, and,  most importantly, you reached out to me when I decided to go back to school. In our home, I have hung up each scholarship, card,  and letter of encouragement to look at and read during my... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 3/28/23

Monticello single mom doesn’t quit on nursing degree

Like so many, Camisha Johnson watched the news when the pandemic rolled in three years ago. But unlike many, the single mom from Monticello didn’t despair or panic. Instead, watching the health care field step up motivated her to try again to become a nurse. “The fire in me was reignited. I wanted to help those in need,” she said. “I enrolled back into school with a determination to make it through this time.” Camisha first applied to nursing school in 2015. Her... Read More
Posted by Jen Para at 3/23/23