When people hear the term single parent, they typically picture a mom, but there are thousands of single dads in Arkansas raising kids, working, facing hardships, and — in the case of the single fathers we serve — going to school. For Father’s Day, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund reached out to our single dads, asking them to share their favorite thing about fatherhood.  Here are their answers! “My favorite thing about being a father is... Read More

Chelsea Phillips stands with her sons Tyler, left, and JaKayden. Chelsea is Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund's Student of The Month for June 2022.  At her May graduation ceremony, Chelsea Phillips received two surprises. The first was receiving the Florence Nightingale Award, which is South Arkansas Community College Betty Owen School of Practical Nursing’s highest honor. It recognizes a nursing student who goes above and beyond in the program to... Read More

Shalonda with her daughter, Catoria, and son, Kirdarion.  Shalonda Garner found herself in a situation like many single mothers find themselves: without a job, two young children, no child support, and a decision to make about the future. “I was working a factory job in Jonesboro, and I lost my job,” Shalonda said. “I thought, ‘I’m not going to sit around on my butt and do nothing,’ so I had to figure out what I was going to do.”... Read More

Loretta studies for her postsecondary accounting degree. Returning to college after 35 years? That’s not what Loretta had in mind for her 50s. But after decades as a stay-at-home mom, Loretta found herself at a crossroads.   She needed a way to support herself and her son still living at home. But she didn’t have the skills or work history to land a good job. Desperate, she turned to the fast-food industry. “I put in so many applications,” she... Read More

Alana Sterling has fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse. Alana Sterling is a single mother of two amazing girls. Alana, originally from Jamaica, lives in Conway with her two school-age daughters. Her path with Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has been a long journey of success and accomplishment, and her hard work has led her to full-time employment as a registered nurse for the state of Arkansas. Alana’s journey with ASPSF began in 2014. At the... Read More