Community Program Raises Families Out Of Poverty

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Arkansas sociologist Lori Holyfield has written a true success story - the story of a small non-profit organization that has helped thousands of Arkansas families pull themselves out of poverty, gaining education and the prospect for a better life.

Published by Temple University Press, Holyfield’s book "Moving Up and Out: Poverty, Education and the Single Parent Family" tells the story of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) - a grass-roots program, which, since 1983, has helped nearly 8,000 poor single parents attain self-sufficiency through college education.

"This is the quintessential example of a grass-roots organization alive and well and making a difference," Holyfield said. "What’s important about this book are not the stories of women and children in poverty. Those stories are nothing new. The important thing is getting the word out about a program that has the potential to go nationwide, to make an impact on a much larger scale."

The ASPSF provides modest college scholarships to single parents in more than 60 participating counties. Of those who have received support, 85 percent have either graduated with a four-year degree or are currently in school, and 70 percent of those who have graduated now earn wages that lift them above the poverty line.

Despite its success in Arkansas, ASPSF remains the only statewide program of its kind. Yet as Hillary Clinton writes in her forward to the book, there’s no reason the program can’t work in other communities and other states. With 14 million single parent households nationwide - many living in poverty - the ASPSF provides a model of community involvement and support that could impact millions of American families.

As a sociologist, Holyfield explains the success of the ASPSF by examining the link between education and social class. Statistics in the book reveal that 11 percent of high school graduates live in poverty. By gaining some college education, the number falls to 7 percent. Attaining a four-year college degree drops the rate to merely 2 percent.

Though Holyfield acknowledges that gender and race also affect education and employment opportunities, she emphasizes that post-secondary education represents the single most effective means of improving one’s opportunities and quality of life. And that’s what makes the ASPSF unique.

Other welfare to work initiatives offer single parents training or incentive to find employment. But Holyfield claims that by providing the opportunity to acquire a college degree, the ASPSF gives single parents both the training they need to find higher wages and the credentials they need to thrive in the larger context of society.

"This is the only program that guarantees a person will come out in a better position than when they went in - no matter how far they pursue it," she said. "Any amount of college education raises a person’s prospects, and on top of the financial gains, there are intangible benefits like improved self-confidence and self-efficacy."

Holyfield speaks from experience. In fact, she’s not just an advocate of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund - she’s an example of its success. As a single mother, working full-time and still living in poverty, Holyfield became one of the program’s first scholarship recipients. The financial aid provided by ASPSF helped her complete a baccalaureate degree and encouraged her to continue her education, eventually acquiring a masters degree and a Ph.D.

Her own experience is reflected in the stories of other single mothers, women who struggled to feed and clothe their children each month, working so hard they never considered they could find the time or resources to pursue education. Holyfield includes the voices of such women in her book to illustrate the barriers and frustrations that can trap single parents in poverty.

"One thing that’s important to note is that the scholarship fund didn’t seek these women out. They went looking for it. It’s a tool that can help people once they’ve committed to changing their lives," Holyfield said. "These are people who have already started their journey up and out of poverty. The ASPSF recognized that and built a scaffold for them to walk on."

Another important fact is that the ASPSF represents a truly community-driven organization. The services it provides are sponsored and supported by Arkansas citizens, and funding for the program comes almost entirely from individual donations. In spite of these modest means, the organization awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships in the year 2000, and the program continues to grow.

According to Holyfield, this proves that single parent scholarship funds are not only a sensible approach to alleviating poverty but also a sustainable one.

"When people have a whole history of blocked opportunities, the community has to step up to the plate to put new opportunities in place," she said. "More and more, the federal government is backing off from these sorts of programs, and non-profit organizations are going to have to pick up the slack. The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund represents a successful, long-term model that any community could put into place."

Holyfield will present a discussion and a book signing at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Fayetteville Barnes and Noble. All royalties for "Moving Up and Out" go directly to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. For more information about the ASPSF, visit their web site at http://www.aspsf.org/. Donations can be sent to:

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

614 E. Emma, Suite 119

Springdale, AR 72764.

# # #