Charlene Turns Aspirations into Accomplishments

Charlene had lastly completed learning for the night time when, to her horror, she couldn’t keep in mind whether or not her sleeping daughters had eaten dinner.

“I felt so defeated,” stated the only mother from Forrest Metropolis.

On the time, she wanted to boost her 1.6 GPA to qualify for monetary support. She refused to let the guilt and self-doubt eat her.

 “I advised myself, ‘I can do it. I’m not a foul dad or mum. I’m engaged on my diploma to be a greater dad or mum.’”

Charlene realized that to succeed in her childhood dream of changing into a licensed social employee, she needed to forgive herself — and make modifications. She stop her full-time job to concentrate on her household and training.

“I needed to make changes to my life-style,” Charlene stated. “There have been occasions after I felt overwhelmed and wished to surrender, however as a result of I’ve such a robust help system, I used to be in a position to surmount this.”

That help system included the Arkansas Single Mum or dad Scholarship Fund. For 5 semesters, your donations supplied Charlene with scholarships and workshops that gave her new expertise. ASPSF Program Supervisor Marci Langston additionally coached her all through her journey.

Over three years, Charlene earned her affiliate diploma from East Arkansas Group Faculty and her bachelor’s diploma from the College of Arkansas at Little Rock, graduating with a 3.9 GPA. 

The only dad or mum scholarship ended after she accomplished her bachelor’s, however Marci stayed in contact. She helped Charlene discover assets to make it via a yearlong UA Little Rock grasp’s diploma program so aggressive that solely 20 of 200 functions are accepted — and Charlene was one in every of them!

Now, Charlene has three levels and a number of job gives doubling her wage. However she’s not finished learning: She should go a licensing examination. Her long-term objective is to open her personal scientific observe.

“To the great donors at ASPSF, thanks for believing in me and in all single mother and father who’ve targets we need to see via and eventually can together with your help.”

Prime photograph caption: Charlene is the primary in her household to earn a bachelor’s and grasp’s, however she received’t be the final: “My oldest daughter advised me, ‘I’m going to go to varsity similar to you!’”