Nana Grants, a nonprofit organization that pays for child care for low-income single mothers in college, has partnered with Gas South to provide Nana Packs to five metro Atlanta college campuses this May, with plans for statewide expansion throughout 2025. Nana Packs provide age-appropriate children's activities to support student parents and caregivers while on campus. Thanks to Gas South's commitment to supporting children and families in Georgia, the Nana Packs program will launch at Gwinnett Technical College, Chattahoochee Technical College, Spelman College, Perimeter College at Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University.
ATLANTA, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Nana Grants, a nonprofit organization that pays for child care for low-income single mothers in college, has partnered with Gas South to provide Nana Packs to five metro Atlanta college campuses this May, with plans for statewide expansion throughout 2025.
Thanks to Gas South's commitment to supporting children and families in Georgia, the Nana Packs program will launch at Gwinnett Technical College, Chattahoochee Technical College, Spelman College, Perimeter College at Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University.
Nana Packs provide student parents and caregivers with age-appropriate activities to keep their children safely occupied while on campus. Each Nana Pack contains activities designed for infants through elementary school-aged children, curated under the guidance of an early-childhood education expert.
"Student parents are juggling enormous responsibilities, and sometimes they have no choice but to bring their children to campus," said Erica Stephens, founder and executive director of Nana Grants. "Nana Packs ensure that these dedicated students feel welcome on campus while providing their children with safe, engaging activities that won't disrupt the learning environment."
Nana Packs will be available for check-out at campus locations where student parents most need them, such as student aid, admissions and advisement offices, lactation rooms, libraries, computer labs, student services waiting areas, cafés, and faculty offices.
Objectives of the Nana Packs Program
- Provide student parents and caregivers with activities to keep their children safely occupied while on campus.
- Raise awareness of the need to welcome and support student parents on college campuses.
- Communicate to student parents and caregivers that they are welcome on campus while providing them and their children with a safe and enjoyable experience.
Student Parents Face Unique Challenges
Student parents represent a significant portion of the college population. Nearly three-quarters of parenting students (74 percent) are women, and the majority (55 percent) are students of color. Despite earning comparable grades to their non-parenting peers, student parents are more likely to enroll part-time due to their responsibilities.
"When colleges and universities actively address the unique challenges of student parents, they strengthen retention and graduation outcomes," said Stephens. "Every day, we witness how removing barriers leads to success for parents pursuing degrees."
Data shows that student parents are highly motivated to succeed, earning an average GPA of 3.17 compared to their non-parenting peers' average of 3.15. They are also more likely to be first-generation college students (48 percent) and to have income below the federal poverty level (35 percent).
Gas South: Powering Educational Opportunities for Student Parents
As the primary sponsor of the Nana Packs program, Gas South continues its longstanding commitment to Nana Grants' mission. Since 2019, Gas South has been a partner in helping Nana Grants provide child care for low-income single mothers pursuing college education in Georgia.
This initiative represents another chapter in Gas South's remarkable legacy of community support, having donated over $20 million to support children in need since 2006. The company's investment in the Nana Packs program demonstrates its understanding that supporting student parents creates generational change for families across Georgia.
ABOUT NANA GRANTS
Child Care + Education = Economic Mobility
Atlanta-based Nana Grants covers 100% of the cost of child care through graduation for low-income student mothers attending an accredited college, university or approved job training program in Georgia. Our mission is to support low-income single mothers pursuing post-secondary education while ensuring their children receive the benefits of quality early childhood education. Learn more at www.NanaGrants.org
ABOUT GAS SOUTH
Gas South is a natural gas provider with a purpose to Be A Fuel For Good® by caring for our customers and employees and elevating our industry and communities. Formed in 2006 as a subsidiary of Cobb EMC, the Atlanta-based company serves nearly 500,000 residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Gas South's mission is to be the energy provider of choice by delivering exceptional value, service and simplicity. Gas South gives 5% back of annual profits to help support children in need. Learn more at GasSouth.com.
Media Contact
Erica Stephens, Nana Grants, 1 770-370-9005, [email protected], www.nanagrants.org
SOURCE Nana Grants
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