Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF), a nonprofit that helps single parents get out of poverty through access to higher education, celebrated a day of hope with its third annual award bank on October 2nd in the city center of Little Rock.
Through sponsorships, donations and tickets, the event traveled over $ 109,000 to single parents pursuing higher education in 69 counties in Arkansas, including Bowie County, Texas. These revenue helps to finance 68 full -time grants and ensure that recipients have the tools and encouragement they need to study.
Emcee Donna Terrell guided guests through the A -day of Hope program.
More than 130 participants were gathered to honor single parents’ results and the community partners who champion their success. The event included the presentation of the newly established Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognized ASPSF candidates who have completed their degrees, pursued careers with family supporting wages and given back to the program.
“A day of hope demonstrated how education creates multigenerational change that transforms life for both single parents and their children,” said Jenn Morehead, ASPSF’s CEO. “We are grateful for the support that allows us to celebrate these amazing single parents and welcome their hard work, while also recognizing our social partners that make it possible.”
Initial distinguished alumna puts the tone
Tikima Simpkins from Hot Springs, a candidate from the University of Arkansas by Fort Smith (UNS) and recording specialist at National Park College, received the initial Distinguished Alumni Award.
A day of hope also recognized partners whose contribution to ASPSF has had a direct influence on the life of single mothers and father who earn college degrees and certifications:
Inherit Bank accepts 2025 Outstandate Corporate Partner Award.
Stories that inspired
Lisa Fischer, former radio personality and the current host of “Lisa Fischer said” podcast, delivered the main address of her experiences growing up as the daughter of a single mother. Fox 16 News’ Donna Terrell, a former single mother, served as Emcee.
“Meet the parent who hardly hangs up on raising children on their own to change the tide of that generation. If you could help a single parent with something, I ask you to provide support both financially and emotionally. The money you give today gives scholarship money to these single parents and giving them a hand where my mother never had one,” Fischer said. “Let’s give these single mothers and father the support they need to avoid a tragedy like mine. Let’s give them a purpose in their lives and equip them for their future.”
Keynote speaker Lisa Fischer shares a family photo from her daughter’s wedding. She explored how she broke the cycle with a single parent poverty through hard work and love.
Scholarship receives Takida Jester, a single mother of three from Little Rock working on Arkansas’s Blue Cross Blue Shield while studying a bachelor of health care, shared how unexpected challenges prevented her from achieving her goals earlier, but the support from ASPF helps her reach them now.
“I started college right after high school, full of excitement. But … Unexpected challenges continued to interrupt my way and made it harder to stay on track. When I became a single mother of three, my determination elaborated. I didn’t just want a degree … I would end what I thought I couldn’t and show my children you can still get on and overcome,” Jester said. “This journey has not been easy. There were moments that I questioned whether it was even possible, moments when exhaustion and doubt were higher than hope. But every step forward, every task was completed, every obstacle has been overcome a testimony to God’s grace and support from this scholarship.”
Alumna speaker Carrie Terry poses for a photo with her colleagues.
Alumna Carrie Terry, a 2021 candidate from UNS, who acts as a social-seeking coordinator of the Other Energy Corp., shared how the support from ASPSF and inspiration from her grandmother, who was also a single parent, helped her return to school after a 12-year break.
“My grandmother was a model of gravel and determination, and ASPSF staff and volunteers offered unshakable encouragement,” Terry said. “The financial support was a lifeline. It allowed me to buy a laptop so I could study. … Five years later I trained with a bachelor of science in organizational leadership, a minor in criminal justice and a certificate of skills in the management of the workforce. It changed the course of my family’s future. Now I am going to give back to my society, invest in education and help others.”
Special thanks to all sponsors of a day of hope, including presentation of sponsors Carol & Witt Stephens, Mary & Jim Wohlleb, the rope and Tiger Correctional Services.
For information about scholarships, voluntary opportunities and ways to be a lifeline for single parents through donations, you can visit www.aspsf.org.