Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund Scholarship recipient Toccara Pearson (again) evokes her household to work onerous for his or her objectives.
Few dad and mom can say they graduated similtaneously their kids, however single mother Toccara Pearson has carried out it twice!
In Might 2019, Toccara accomplished her affiliate diploma from the College of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical School as her oldest daughter, To’Kira, graduated highschool. In Might 2022, Toccara acquired her bachelor’s diploma in social work from the College of Arkansas at Little Rock, as her son, To’Darius, accomplished his highschool diploma.
“I’m going to try to work it out in order that I can graduate with my youngest, To’Mira, who’s 14 years outdated, with my grasp’s as a result of no mom can say she graduated with all three of her kids!” Toccara stated.
Toccara has been a recipient of the Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund since spring 2019. She is grateful for the scholarship — which has helped her purchase meals for her household, pay electrical energy payments, buy a pc for schoolwork, and afford a automotive restore after a baseball follow ended with a smashed window — and the neighborhood she’s gained by means of workshops, mentors, and different single dad and mom.
Toccara Pearson (heart) and her household take part in a Cooking Issues Workshop hosted by Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund.
Toccara’s journey has not been a simple one. She was 8 years outdated when her mom died. Her father turned to alcohol to deal with the stress of being a single father, and over time this led to violence within the residence. She went to dwell along with her grandmother, after which throughout her senior yr of highschool, grew to become pregnant.
“On the time, I assumed that my life was ending, and I wasn’t going to graduate,” she stated. “Fortuitously, my highschool counselor intervened. She let me know that my life wasn’t ending, it was simply starting, and he or she was going to be by my aspect.”
Toccara married after highschool and had one other little one, however they divorced. She then remarried, had her third little one, however that marriage, too, led to divorce. Toccara discovered herself caring for 3 kids on half the earnings.
“I used to be excited about the way forward for my household and supporting them, so I made a decision to return to highschool,” she stated. “As a single mom, I made a decision to point out my three kids that it doesn’t matter what age you determine to return to highschool, it’s by no means too late.”
This spring, Toccara Pearson graduated from the College of Arkansas at Little Rock along with her bachelor’s diploma in social work.
Toccara is each excited and nervous about post-graduation life. She’s labored on the identical workplace for 18 years, and it’s bittersweet to begin a brand new profession in social work. However Toccara says she’s prepared for the problem and hopes to open a shelter for girls in the future.
“There are such a lot of sources on the market, and so many individuals don’t know get these sources, and I wish to be that individual to do it,” she stated. “I’ve all the time been good with managing my time and discovering sources for my household, and I can additional that by serving to different folks.”
Toccara stated her three kids inspire her to stability parenthood, full-time employment, an internship, and schoolwork. “We help one another the place we have to help one another, and that’s what’s vital,” she stated.
To’Darius, who needs to earn his business driver’s license after which examine engineering, stated she evokes him day by day to achieve for extra. And To’Mira, who needs to be a physician, stated she’s glad her mother is pursuing her dream of serving to folks.
Recognizing the position ASPSF has performed in her life, Toccara stated she appreciates the funding the donors and volunteers have made in her and so many different single dad and mom, serving to them full their research and earn larger wages for his or her households.
“With out their contribution, there wouldn’t be a program like this. There are such a lot of ladies attempting to additional their careers, who’re struggling and looking for funding.” she stated. “I’m going to overlook being part of ASPSF. This program has helped me out rather a lot all through the years. Thanks for all the things.”
Toccara Pearson picks up her Spring 2022 Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund test and certificates.
