Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is grateful for volunteers like Beth Weldon, the July Volunteer of the Month. Beth is a familiar face to ASPSF, having previously served as a development manager. She brings extensive experience and strong community ties to her role as a volunteer for ASPSF’s Southwest Region, which includes Calhoun, Columbia, Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, and Union counties in Arkansas and Bowie County in Texas. Beth plays an active role in scholarship interviews, application reviews, awards ceremonies, and community outreach. “Her deep roots in Union County and broad local connections make her an invaluable…

  Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF), a nonprofit helping single parents rise out of poverty through access to higher education, announced a new honor for its annual awards banquet. The newly established Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented during A Day of Hope on Oct. 2 at the City Center, 315 N. Shackelford Road in Little Rock, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $75. “The new Distinguished Alumni award was created to celebrate an ASPSF graduate who has completed his or her degree, pursued a career with family-supporting wages, and has given back to the ASPSF program,”…

Years ago, while going to school at North Arkansas College, Kim Paul-Williams found out about a scholarship for single parents. She applied, received financial aid, and found a supportive community that understood the challenges of being a student and raising children without a partner. Today, Kim is on the other side, cheering on single parent students as the program manager for Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s Ozark West Region, covering Baxter, Boone, Cleburne, Newton, Searcy, Stone, and Van Buren counties. Since 2017, she has guided single parent students as they navigate higher education and reach their career goals. “As a…

Years ago, while going to school at North Arkansas College, Kim Paul-Williams found out about a scholarship for single parents. She applied, received financial aid, and found a supportive community that understood the challenges of being a student and raising children without a partner. Today, Kim is on the other side, cheering on single parent students as the program manager for Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s Ozark West Region, covering Baxter, Boone, Cleburne, Newton, Searcy, Stone, and Van Buren counties. Since 2017, she has guided single parent students as they navigate higher education and reach their career goals. “As a…

Ariel’s biggest fans are under 5-feet-tall and never miss a chance to tell people, “My mom’s a nurse!” Even though she reminds them she’s not quite there yet, it’s their excitement that keeps her going through long days of work and nursing school. “They’re always hyping me up,” Ariel said. “Asking, ‘Mom, what did you do at school today?’ or ‘Did you stick anyone with a needle?’”  Thanks to your donations, Ariel is back on track toward her dream of becoming a nurse. Life with two babies put her education on hold, but now, with her children older and cheering…

ASPSF caught up with Kimberly Broadway, an alumna now teaching kindergarten in the Marion School District. She graduated from Arkansas State University last spring and has nearly tripled her salary to $50,000 since starting her educational journey in 2022.  Why did you go back to school?I worked several jobs as a team leader, assistant manager, key holder, and office manager. It wasn’t enough, and I missed so many things in my children’s lives due to trying to work to provide for us. I want to be able to show up for them as much as possible. They are my everything!…

For many years, NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund have worked side-by-side to promote health care careers for single parents in Northeast Arkansas. “Many of our students have been employees of NEA Baptist,” said Carrie Allen, ASPSF program manager. “They’re working at the hospital or  clinics while they earn their certificate or degree that will allow them to move up at their current job.” The two organizations took their partnership to the next level last year when NEA Baptist became the presenting sponsor for a new Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament benefiting ASPSF and two other Jonesboro nonprofits.…

Jocelyn woke up bleary-eyed on a Saturday morning, grateful to be alive. She and her kids survived a tornado that ripped through Cave City the night before, on March 14. Their home was still standing. Their lives were spared. But their  struggle was just beginning. The power went out for six days, spoiling food in their fridge and silencing the internet that Jocelyn needed to attend her online classes. Her workplace, a local dental office, was reduced to rubble. Suddenly, Jocelyn was without income, relying on her dwindling savings and her single parent scholarship to carry her family. “I am…

Balancing a toddler, college, and a budding health care career might sound like a juggling act best left to superheroes. But for Karmen Sanak, it’s just a typical Tuesday. Karmen, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s June Student of the Month, is currently working toward a certificate in radiography at Baptist Health College Little Rock. She’s not just surviving — she’s thriving with a 3.85 GPA and loves her chosen career path. “I chose radiography because of the fascinating things you see every day!” Karmen said. “There are so many opportunities in this field, and I’m excited to grow in…

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is proud to announce the addition of Danielle Harris as its first Development Officer, Major Gifts, marking a strategic step in expanding philanthropic support for single parents across the state. Harris began her new role on June 2 and brings a rich background in educational advancement and donor engagement. “I am honored to be the first major gifts officer for ASPSF,” Harris said. “This new role shows ASPSF’s deep commitment to philanthropy, and I’m excited to join a team with such strong fundraising experience. I look forward to building relationships that help students succeed.” She…