Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona
“We don’t want mothers to have to choose between putting food on the table and childcare,” said Bob Parsons, Co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Pathways for Single Moms is giving single moms tools to become financially independent and bring their families out of poverty.”
TUCSON, Ariz. (PRWEB) December 21, 2022
The Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) has received a $350,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The gift will be used to support statewide expansion of Pathways for Single Moms, an innovative program that gives single mothers the resources and support they need to pursue higher education, forge a better career path, and secure a livable wage for themselves and their families.
In Arizona, there are more than 70,000 full-time working, single mothers who lack a college degree. Even when working full-time, single mothers are likely to be in or near poverty and without a path to further education, these mothers cannot increase their earning potential. According to the Arizona 2022 Self-Sufficiency Standard, it is estimated that a single mother in Maricopa County with one school-aged child must make $51,519 to meet basic needs such as housing, childcare, and food. However, research shows that single mothers of young children have an annual median wage of $30,000. Without additional support, these families don’t have a way forward.
“We don’t want mothers to have to choose between putting food on the table and childcare,” said Bob Parsons, Co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Pathways for Single Moms is giving single moms tools to become financially independent and bring their families out of poverty.”
Pathways for Single Moms helps low-income single mothers change the trajectory of their lives. They can become economically self-sufficient through a variety of educational and economic opportunities, including a one-year certificate program in one of many growing STEM fields such as construction technology, healthcare, entrepreneurial studies or IT, that pay sustainable wages. Pathways for Single Moms also covers the cost of tuition, childcare, and more – removing the common barriers women face when going back to school.
Launched in 2020 by WFSA, Pathways for Single Moms recently received state funding to scale its work across Arizona in partnership with nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
“We believe everyone deserves a chance to succeed,” said Renee Parsons, Co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Pathways for Single Moms is helping women address ongoing challenges and overcome systemic barriers at a critical time in their lives. The program helps women build confidence, secure a significantly higher paying job, and learn skills to move forward in their careers.”
“Bob & Renee Parsons and their foundation’s investment in moms and their families throughout Arizona speaks volumes about their understanding of and dedication to solving the complex challenges our communities face,” says Dr. Amalia Luxardo, WFSA CEO. “Emerging from over two years of a pandemic, the mothers we serve in this program understand better than most that being an ‘essential worker’ does not pay a living wage. Add to it the highest inflation our generation has seen, particularly in Arizona, which is the highest in the nation, this funding could not have come at a more critical time. The generous gift from the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will help us meet the gaps while expanding this critical program statewide.”
This funding has been generously matched by Women Moving Millions, a nonprofit organization focused on the advancement of women and girls. Renee Parsons is a member of Women Moving Millions.
To learn more about Pathways for Single Moms, visit womengiving.org/pathways.
About the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona
The Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (previously the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona) innovates to create social, political, and economic change that achieves equity for women and girls of all identities through its integrated framework of research, advocacy, grantmaking, and innovative solutions. To learn more, visit womengiving.org.
About The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation’s giving is driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.
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