SPARK Collaborative

IWPR, the Urban Institute, and Child Trends have teamed up to highlight the challenges and successes of student parents in a series of publications. Using the latest data, this series reveals key trends in their demographics, enrollment patterns, and the vital role community colleges play. With one in five undergrads raising children, supporting them is more important than ever!   Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHEUxvqx

🙌The 2024 California Student Parent Pooled Fund is now open for proposals! 👪 The statewide fund seeks to affect multi-generational change at the micro level within families, systems change within California’s higher education ecosystem, and policy change at the state level. To that end, $50K-100K grants are available to US-based nonprofits and educational institutions working in California. To learn more about the grantmaking priorities and how to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/gZHMF6BA The California #StudentParentPooledFund is made possible by the contributions of our partners: California Community Foundation, ECMC Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Ichigo Foundation, Lumina Foundation, R&S KAYNE FOUNDATION, and Stupski Foundation.

Are you passionate about making a lasting impact in the lives of student parents and their families? Join Generation Hope, where we help student parents to thrive, achieve economic mobility and drive systemic change. We're seeking visionaries who are ready to make a difference. If you're committed to supporting #StudentParent communities, shaping futures, and breaking down barriers, we want to hear from you! Apply now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dwAebJU

What We Are Reading Wednesday "As a behavioral health provider, I spend much of my time reading psychotherapeutic literature. Lately, I have been considering how time poverty and attachment theory may impact parenting students' relationships with their children. I am currently reading 'Becoming Attached: First Relationships and How They Shape Our Capacity to Love' by Robert Karen, Ph.D. I am using this work (alongside additional literature) to explore ideas for applying interventions at the intersection of clinical mental health and parenting students." Kateri Klingele, APSW #WhatWeAreReading #ParentingStudents #AttachmentTheory #MentalHealth #SPARK

🌟 Meet Kateri Klingele, APSW, a clinical social worker based in Madison, WI, who is making a difference in the lives of parenting students. 👨👩👧👦💼 Drawing from her own experiences as a parenting student, Kateri co-founded WISPO, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's pioneering parenting student organization. 🎓👶 WISPO focuses on advocacy, socialization, and resource management, ensuring that parenting students have the support they need to succeed. 🤝💪 Kateri's work is driven by an intersectional understanding of how families engage with social systems. 🌍💡 By applying this lens, she aims to enhance the effectiveness of social policies designed to promote family well-being. 👨👩👧👦❤️ Through her dedication and innovative approach, Kateri is creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for parenting students, paving the way for a brighter future for families in higher education. 🎓🌈 Quote: "The reality of many individual’s lives is their potential for parenthood. Yet all too often, when their parenthood is unexpected, the message is, 'Your educational and/or professional dreams are now over.' My hope in continuing to work for parenting students in postsecondary education is to allow for parents to receive a new message, one of hope and opportunity: 'Your dreams and your children do not have to be at odds.'" Connect with Kateri to learn more about her groundbreaking work and the impact she is making in the lives of parenting students. 🤝✨ #ParentingStudentAdvocate #ClinicalSocialWorker #IntersectionalApproach #FamilyWellbeing

📚 Shalease Williams shares a must-read for Student Parents and Educators for our "What We're Reading Wednesday"! "I recently came across an insightful article by William Jackson and Kristine Andrews that I highly recommend to all student parents and those interested in educational equity: "Village of Wisdom Used Community-Based Participatory Research to Co-Design Education with Black Families" (ssir.org) *The power of community-based participatory research in education *How co-design can lead to more culturally responsive learning environments *The importance of involving families in shaping educational experiences As a student parent, I found this article particularly relevant. It demonstrates how we can actively participate in shaping our children's education while addressing systemic inequities. Read the full article here: Village of Wisdom Used Community-Based Participatory Research to Co-Design Education with Black Families." What are your thoughts on this approach to educational design? Have you seen similar initiatives in your community? #StudentParents #EducationEquity #CommunityBasedResearch #BlackFamilies

Empowering the next generation of female leaders! 🌟 Shalease Williams wants to spotlight Step Up, an incredible nonprofit mentorship program that is making a real difference in the lives of young girls and women. Step Up offers a unique opportunity for participants to either receive mentorship or become mentors themselves, fostering a cycle of empowerment and growth. Key features of Step Up: -Personalized goal-setting framework -Mentorship opportunities -Leadership development -Community of supportive women Whether you're looking to make a difference as a mentor or seeking guidance to achieve your dreams, Step Up provides the tools and support to help you succeed. Learn more and get involved: Step Up | Mentoring Nonprofit for Girls & Young Women #WomenEmpowerment #Mentorship #NonprofitSpotlight #LeadershipDevelopment suwn.org

💚 this work!!! Thank you to the SPARK Collaborative team in putting the website, all of the resources, and the most up-to-date info on #StudentParents in #HigherEd. Allies, advocates, and the public can learn more-- in accessible ways to directly improve lives; through changing policies, practices, and cultures of how we serve student parents in our IHEs. Such a model of #DataToAction!

🎓 Celebrating Generational Success in Education! 🎓 Student parents aren't just paving the way for themselves, they are setting important examples for the next generation! Our SuperSTAR Fellow Shalease Williams shares her incredible story of perseverance and achievement: As a First Generation College Graduate: "Shalease is the first in her family to earn a college degree. She attended Portland Community College, where she achieved two certifications and four degrees in various fields of study." Second Generation College Graduate Loading: Her son Tay is attending a 4-year University this fall where he will study law and elevate the family heirloom his mother built! This powerful journey showcases the transformative impact of education across generations. It's a testament to the dedication of student parents who pave the way for their children's success. To all the first-generation graduates and the parents supporting the next generation of scholars: Your hard work is creating a lasting legacy. You're not just earning degrees; you're changing family trajectories. Let's celebrate these achievements and continue to support educational access for all! #EducationMatters #GenerationalSuccess #StudentParents #FirstGenGrad #HigherEducation

🎓 Celebrating Generational Success in Education! 🎓 Student parents aren't just paving the way for themselves, they are setting important examples for the next generation! Our SuperSTAR Fellow Shalease Williams shares her incredible story of perseverance and achievement: As a First Generation College Graduate: "Shalease is the first in her family to earn a college degree. She attended Portland Community College, where she achieved two certifications and four degrees in various fields of study." Second Generation College Graduate Loading: Her son Tay is attending a 4-year University this fall where he will study law and elevate the family heirloom his mother built! This powerful journey showcases the transformative impact of education across generations. It's a testament to the dedication of student parents who pave the way for their children's success. To all the first-generation graduates and the parents supporting the next generation of scholars: Your hard work is creating a lasting legacy. You're not just earning degrees; you're changing family trajectories. Let's celebrate these achievements and continue to support educational access for all! #EducationMatters #GenerationalSuccess #StudentParents #FirstGenGrad #HigherEducation