ASPSF Raises $109k During A Day of Hope

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF), a nonprofit helping single parents rise out of poverty through access to higher education, celebrated A Day of Hope with its third-annual awards banquet on Oct. 2 at the City Center in Little Rock.

Through sponsorships, donations, and tickets, the event raised over $109,000 for single parents pursuing higher education across 69 counties in Arkansas, including Bowie County, Texas.  These proceeds will help fund 68 full-time scholarships and ensure recipients have the tools and encouragement they need to graduate.

More than 130 attendees gathered to honor single parents’ accomplishments and the community partners who champion their success. The event featured the presentation of the newly established Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing ASPSF graduates 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, transforming lives for both single parents and their children,” Jenn Morehead, ASPSF’s CEO said. “We are grateful for the support that allows us the opportunity to celebrate these amazing single parents and applaud their hard work, while also recognizing our community partners who make it possible.”

Inaugural Distinguished Alumna Sets the Tone
Tikima Simpkins of Hot Springs, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) and admissions specialist at National Park College, received the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award.

A Day of Hope also recognized partners whose contributions to ASPSF have had a direct impact on the lives of single moms and dads earning college degrees and certifications:

• Outstanding Education Partner: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Outstanding Corporate Partner: Arvest Bank
• Outstanding Philanthropy Partner: Arkansas Community Foundation

Stories that Inspired
Lisa Fischer, former radio personality and current host of the “Lisa Fischer Said” podcast, delivered the keynote address about her experiences growing up as the daughter of a single mom. Fox 16 News’ Donna Terrell, a former single mom, served as emcee.

“Meet the parent who is barely hanging on raising kids on their own to change the tide for that generation. If you could help a single parent with anything, I ask you to give support both financially and emotionally. The money you give today gives scholarship money to these single parents and to give them a hand where my mother never had one,” Fischer said. “Let’s give these single moms and dads the support they need in order to avoid a tragedy like mine. Let’s give them purpose in their lives and equip them for their future.”

Scholarship recipient Takida Jester, a single mom of three from Little Rock who works at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield while studying for a bachelor’s in health care management, shared how unexpected challenges kept her from reaching her goals earlier, but the support of ASPSF is helping her reach them now.

“I began college right after high school, full of excitement. But unexpected challenges kept interrupting my path and making it harder to stay on track. When I became a single mom of three, my determination deepened. I didn’t just want a degree … I wanted to finish what I thought I couldn’t and show my children you can still move forward and overcome,” Jester said. “This journey hasn’t been easy. There were moments I questioned if it was even possible, moments when exhaustion and doubt were louder than hope. But every step forward, every assignment completed, every obstacle overcome is a testament to God’s grace and the support of this scholarship.”

Alumna Carrie Terry, a 2021 graduate of UAFS, who serves as community outreach coordinator for OGE Energy Corp., shared how the support of 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 grit and determination, and ASPSF staff and volunteers offered unwavering encouragement,” Terry said. “The financial support was a lifeline. It allowed me to purchase a laptop so I could study. Five years later, I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in organizational leadership, a minor in criminal justice, and a certificate of proficiency in workforce leadership. It changed the course of my family’s future. Now, I get to give back to my community, invest in education, and help others succeed.”

Special thanks to all the sponsors of A Day of Hope, including Presenting Sponsors Carol & Witt Stephens, Mary & Jim Wohlleb, The Rebsamen Fund, and Tiger Correctional Services.