Fall / Winter 2014

Fall/Winter 2014

MeganTorresUALR Student and SPSF RecipientRead Her Story on Pg 3

2 www.spsfpulaski.org

Board of directors

Greg Jones, ChairWayne BallJay Barth

Andrea DobsonCharles W. Donaldson

Marc HaynesJenny Hergenroether

Susan HoffpauirJan HundleyTom JewartTim Jones

Jennifer McCartyW.J. Monagle

Daniela OchoaSandra Prater

Cassandra RameyCathey RobbinsJanea Snyder

Nancy Zink

staff

Karin L. BaraExecutive Director

Brittany K. RichardsProgram Administrator

contriButors

Sarah FlemingWriter/Designer

Think Lawson & Company

When you bring single parents out of poverty, they bring their children with them.

LetterDirector

from the

Dear Friends,

Last week, one of our shining star recipients posted a picture of her graduation invitation on Facebook and proudly exclaimed, “In 10 more days I will be a college graduate!” This young lady, a veteran of the US Armed Forces, has been accepted into graduate school and will begin her MSW at UALR in January, 2015. A

SPSF alumn recently stopped by the office to let us know how much she loves teaching in the LRSD and about the difference she is making through teaching music to young people in our community. Right after one of our shining star recipients spoke at our fall event, a guest leaned over and said to me, “I come every year just to hear the stories of the SPSF recipients. They are the most inspirational individuals!” This young lady is a senior at UALR and will graduate with her degree in Biology next spring. Her goal is to become a pediatric dentist.

We have story after story…enough to fill a book! SPSF recipients are winners. They are finish-ers. They are completers—in fact, each semester 92% of our recipients graduate or continue in school. Their determination is firm and their resolve is unmovable.

But, their struggles are real and their worries are chronic. Their can-do-attitude does not take away their financial vulnerability. One financial setback, be it a car repair or a sick child has the potential to knock them off their feet. These are the very circumstances that cause stu-dents to drop out or stop out of college. They face daily challenges of having enough money to put gas in their car, keep food on their tables, pay the bills, juggle the financial challenges of the holiday season, and still go to school.

Single parents who are living below the poverty line head a staggering 27% of families in Pu-laski County. One by one, we are helping single parents by providing scholarship dollars that help them stay in school so they can finish their degree, and nurturing families through our support services. And you help kindle the fire of hope that burns brightly within each of them and empowers them to change the destiny of their families.

SPSF has a board full of visionaries. They know there are many more hard-working single parents in Pulaski County who would benefit from receiving our scholarship and they are determined to help as many as possible. So, in traditional SPSF board member fashion, they rolled up their sleeves and went straight to work, laser-focused on the goal of creating sustainable funding. As a result, the SPSF Giving Circle was born. The Giving Circle is an opportunity to invest in the lives of our low-income neighbors by committing to a multi-year pledge. Since July, we have raised $270,000 in pledges. We are also beginning a Planned Giving Program that will give you the opportunity to leave a legacy gift and will help families for years to come.

Our committed volunteers and board members are the fiber of our organization. And you are the unsung heroes. Together, we are changing lives, not only for single-parents but for their children. We are leaving the world a better place.

Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season and a joy-filled 2015.

Karin Bara

3SPSF Newsletter/Winter 2014

As I leave the Board I am reminded often of the determination, motivation and true spirit of those who have received the scholarships. I will always remember their hard work but also the sacrifices they have made to move not only themselves but their families forward.

The Single Parent Scholar-ship Fund should be called the Single Parent Partnership Fund. It’s the partnership that we form with our recip-ients that makes the differ-ence. Not only do we change the lives of the recipients; we shape and influence the future of their families.

Bringing families from poverty to prosperity is amongst the most rewarding aspects of my board service. When I participate in inter-viewing students, I am amazed at their tenacity, drive and commitment to success. I always leave uplifted and feeling en-couraged.

Sandra Prater

Marc Haynes

Andrea Dobson

Jay Barth

It Takes All Kinds

In order to succeed, virtually every organization needs a clear, unified mission and the commitment and wherewithal to carry out that mission. For a philanthropic organiza-tion like SPSF, that wherewithal comes in the form of donations.

To many, that term conjures up notions of financial contributions. And indeed, in the six years I’ve been privileged to serve on the Board of Directors, we have been blessed with an army of financial donors –both individuals and institutional – whose generosi-ty has been amazing and inspirational.

But while financial contributions have been essential for SPSF to survive, it has been other types of donations that have enabled our organization to thrive. Such dona-tions have come from our staff and Board members who give not just their time but also their hearts to ensure the success of our mission. They have come from folks like Phyllis Britton at the Arkansas Times and Olivia Farrell, at Arkansas Business, and Gloria Lawson, at Lawson & Co., who have offered up creative ideas, media access and graphics design for us to get our inspiring story out to the public. They have come from big-hearted people like Christy and Jay Bolling, Mary and Sean Glancy, and Terry and Walter Quinn who have shared their astonishing organizational skills to make our past three annual fund raising events resounding successes.

They have come from medical professionals like Dr. Misty Nolen and Dr. Jessica Dzi-urkowski who have volunteered their time to share medical advice with our students through the Blue & You program, as well as from Dr. Melissa Efurd and her colleagues

SPSF was an incredibly solid organization when I joined the Board, do-ing great work for many students. During my time on the Board,I was deeply satisfied to be part of the development of a plan for the next generation of the organization that we are already seeingimplemented.

at the UAMS Department of Dental Hygiene who have delivered dental services to our students and their families for free. They have come from our network of school-based volunteer mentors who serve as on-scene advisors and anchors for our students. And they come from dozens of volunteers who have offered their time to pore over scores of scholarship applications to help us identify the most deserving of recipients.

You see, the success of our organization has depended on donations of so many kinds from so many people who have found so many ways to contribute to our mission.

Greg Jones

Thank You for Your Service


For Megan Torres, earning a degree is about more than a job opportunity. It’s a new way of life for her and her 12-year-old daughter, Talena. As a senior at UALR, Megan plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in finance this December and at-tend graduate school next spring. Her goals of earning an MBA and working in the investment or banking industry are light years away from where her story began.

“After having my daughter in high school, I thought it would be easier to get my GED and start working.” Megan spent four years working hard at minimum

Being educated is one of themost empowering qualitiesa person can have. Not only does it give you the knowledge andthe know how to do something, education gives you the

confidence you need to go out and do things.

The Power of Education


cares about the struggles and hardships of single parents who want an education. She has received endless support and encouragement from them at the times she needed it most. “SPSF has been ‘a breath of fresh air’ through my college journey, and I cannot thank them enough.”

Alumni C onnectionC

gives you the confidence you need to go out and do things. It gives you a sense of respect.”

And SPSF? “I don’t think I can say enough about SPSF. They are truly remarkable. They are not just a scholarship, they are a family.” Megan feels that SPSF is an organization that truly

wage jobs to support her little girl before deciding to make a change. “I realized the only way to do something I loved and still make a decent living was to go back to school and get a degree.”

Being in college helped Megan gain a new respect for education. She enrolled at Pulaski Technical College in 2007 and received her Associates in Fine Arts before transferring to UALR in 2010. Along the way Megan has learned to value the opportunity of going to college. “As our society continues with innovations, we need educa-tion to be prosperous as a country. Education allows for endless op-portunities that you would other-wise not have. But most important-ly, education turns dreams into a reality.”

Megan is proud to be the first person in her family to receive a college education. In fact, the most satisfying part of getting her degree is to set an example for her family, especially her daughter. Megan’s message:

“Being educated is one of the most empowering qualities a per-son can have. Not only does it give you the knowledge and the know how to do something, education

Hello, I’m Meredith Lane, former SPSF recipient and UALR graduate. I received my Bachelor of Social Work in May of 2013 and completed my Master of Social Work this past May. When I reflect on this major life accom-plishment, my feelings exude empowerment. This goal has given me strength, courage, and confidence that I have never felt before. I feel like a superwoman and am pretty darn proud of myself!

Who knows what the future holds for me? Just 4 years ago, I would not have thought I would be walking across the stage to receive my MSW diploma. I am aware that learning

never stops, and I have much more clinical experience to gain. I couldn’t think of a better place to gain this knowledge than Arkansas State Hospital. My current focus is to get as much experience as I can and then pursue my licensure to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Becoming an LCSW opens the door to endless opportunities including counseling in a private practice, and that is very appealing to me.

SPSF definitely helped me reach my goal. The scholarship provided a financial security net for my family and alleviated the stress and burden which often came from worring over next month’s bills. The words of encourage-ment and emotional support from the SPSF staff gave me additional motivation to keep working toward my goals. Thank you SPSF!

Meredith LaneFormer SPSF Recipient & Social Worker for Arkansas State Hospital


HopeA

ofNight

octoBer 8, 2014

Friends and supporters of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County gathered at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion for our 15th annual “Night of Hope” fundraiser. This event was co-chaired by Christy and Jay Bolling and Mary and Sean Glancy. As a result of their efforts $97,000 was raised for schol-arships—an all-time record!


SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF PULASKI COUNTY

GivingCircle

Charles A. Frueauff FoundationMarge & Tom Schueck

CHANCELLOR’S LIST

VICE-CHANCELLOR’S LIST

Linda & Steve Humphries

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

PROVOST’S LIST

Carol & Witt StephensMary & Jim Wohlleb

Carol & Allan Mendel

DEAN OF STUDENT’S LIST

DEAN’S LIST

Ball Corley, PLLCKarin & Ron Bara

Laurie & Jeff BarberJay Barth & Chuck CliettAndrea & Bruce Dobson

Mabel & Charles DonaldsonMary & Sean Glancy

Barbara & Howard Hawes

Marc HaynesJenny Hergenroether

Susan & Dave Hoffpauir Jan & Randal Hundley

Arita & Tom JewartShirley & Greg Jones

Janet & Scott Korenblat

Jan & Larry Alman

Elizabeth Waldron

Legacy Termite & Pest ControlJennifer & Mark McCarty

Yvonne Delnis & W.J. MonagleCindy & Chip MurphyBonnie & Sam NickolCathey & Ken Robbins

Sherece & Joe ScantleburyTenenbaum Recycling Group

Wright, Lindsey & Jennings, LLP

Beverly & Gary DarwinDora Jane & Greg Flesher

Pulaski Technical CollegeCheryl & Elvin Shuffield


A Night of HopeChancellor’s List

Vice-Chancellor’s List

Provost’s List

In Kind

Arbor E&T DBA ResCare Workforce ServicesARVESTAT&T

Ball Corley, PLLCBank of the Ozarks

Baptist Health SchoolsKarin & Ron Bara

Laurie & Jeff BarberHeather & David BarnettJay Barth & Chuck Cliett

The Bizzell FamilyChristy & Jay Bolling

Lacey & Jay CaldwellCentennial Bank

Andrea & Bruce DobsonMabel & Charles Donaldson

Paul C. Faubel in memory of Jinny FaubelKerre & Clay Gilliland Mary & Sean Glancy

Barbara & Howard HawesLucy Haynes

Jenny HergenroetherSusan & Dave HoffpauirJan & Randal Hundley

arge &M om SchueckT

D Gora Jane & reg Flesher im WohllebM Jary &

teve HumphriesL Sinda &

B Geverly & ary Darwin itt StephensC Warol &

llan MendelC Aarol &

Dean’s List

Toni Dillinger-Block & Barry BlockDillard’s

Forsythe’s Ladies Apparel

Michelle & Dean KahlerCindy & Chip Murphy

Philander Smith College

Honor Roll

Jan & Larry AlmanCheryl & Elvin Shuffield

Dean of Student’s List

Arita & Tom JewartShirley & Greg Jones

Janet & Scott KorenblatLegacy Termite & Pest Control

Jennifer & Mark McCartyYvonne Delnis & WJ Monagle

Bonnie & Sam NickolSandra & Kenneth Prater

Qual Choice Health InsuranceCathey & Ken Robbins

Sherece & Joe ScantelburyTenenbaum Recycling Group

Rebecca & Don Ward

Misty & Jack Gaston with Southern Wholesale Florists

E lizabeth Waldron


Founding Members of the SPSF Giving Circle

Jan & Larry AlmanArkansas Single Parent Scholarship FundBall Corley, PLLCKarin & Ron BaraLaurie & Jeffrey BarberJay Barth & Chuck CliettBeverly & Gary DarwinAndrea & Bruce DobsonMable & Charles DonaldsonDora Jane & Greg FlesherCharles A. Frueauff FoundationMary & Sean GlancyBarbara & Howard HawesMarc HaynesJenny HergenroetherSusan & Dave HoffpauirLinda & Steve HumphriesJan & Randal HundleyArita & Tom JewartShirley & Greg JonesJanet & Scott KorenblatLegacy Termite & Pest ControlJennifer & Mark McCartyCarol & Allan MendelYvonne & WJ MonagleCindy & Chip MurphyBonnie & Sam NickolPulaski Technical CollegeCathey & Ken RobbinsSherece West-Scantlebury & Joe ScantleburyMarge & Tom SchueckCheryl & Elvin ShuffieldCarol & Witt StephensTenenbaum Recycling GroupElizabeth WaldronMary & Jim WohllebWright, Lindsey & Jennings, LLP

*Bold denotes sponsorship

Fall Event

Alice AbsonCynda AlexanderArkansas Association of Two Year CollegesJane & Mike ArnoldARVESTAT&T ArkansasBank of the OzarksHeather & David BarnettMary & Pat BellBuff BlassDr. Toni Dollinger-Block & Rabbi Barry BlockChristy & Jay BollingLacey & Jay CaldwellCentennial BankCheryl & Wayne ChapmanKim & Wes CherryMartha & Ron ClarkCynthia CongerSusan DayMilton DeJesusRhonda & Ken DickDillard’sElaine & Ernie DumasSusan & John ElliottTerri & Chuck ErwinPaul C. Faubel in memory of Jinny FaubelForsythe’s Ladies ApparelKate & Robert FrazierSue FrueauffBrenda FulkersonJudy & William GaddyKerre & Clay GillilandKermie GladstoneCarole & Mike GlancyAmy & Daniel GrayKathryn GriffinDanette & John HaleyAndrea HermannBarbara HillMartha & French HillHistecon AssociatesLloyd HuskeyIrwin PartnersThe Janet Jones Company

Michelle & Dean KahlerRuthie & Phil KaplanVictoria & Andrew KesselDiane’s Gourmet FoodsDarla & Rob LavenderCatherine LaveyCarolyn LayBobbie & Gene LevyEmily & Richard LewisPamela & Gary LoydPat & James McClellandAnne & Laurence MillerMary Jo & Walter MizellAnne Bradford MourningCindy & Chip MurphyMary Lynn & Sheffield NelsonRalph NessonJudy PearlsteinJennifer & Daniel PeregrinPhilander Smith CollegeNancy & Tad PhillipsSandra & Mike PraterStephanie PurifoyQual Choice Health InsuranceCassandra RameyMary Jane & Michael RebickArbor E&T DBA ResCare Workforce ServicesJanet & Don RobbLee & Dale RonnelMary Beth & Bruce SaadEleanor & Lou SchickelPaula & Phil SchmidtAngela Parker-Sink & David SinkCarlia SmithJanea & Bill SnyderBrenda SpeedSally StreettRR StringerGus SwainSue TullUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockRebecca & Don WardLinda & John WebbCarrie WhitesideAlma WillettJan WrightJackqueline Young

Donor Honor RollJuly - October 2014


Adopt a Student

Cynthia CongerSue FrueauffNancy & Larry LichtyEntergy CorporationTyson Foods

Summer Sizzle

Janie BroylesChien ChenBrighton DarbyPaula EveretteMarian FavorsCynthia FlemingDoris HudsonSusanne JeffusDanny JonesKathy JosephCat KarnezisNijih KhabeerSara LongDeLinda MaceJoyce MilesJennifer OdleVictoria PhanTonya Schoonmaker

Alumni

Tramekia BentonDianna CurryTanya Patton

General Donations

Bruce BartleyCharlotte & Curtis BradburyLola & John BrunsonCesar CaballeroAndrea & Bruce DobsonLaura & David ElrodKim HarperCarol HarveyTrudy & Jerry JacobsonMichelle & Mark MannDonna McSpaddenTeresa MurphyElizabeth Ann NicholsonBarbara & Robert ShultsNanalou & Kenneth SnowLynn StatenCharisse & Eric TateAlison TaylorTemeka Williams

In Honor of

Christy & Jay Bolling by Linda & John WebbBeverly Darwin by Nancy & Craig WoodMary & Sean Glancy by Julie & David ShindlerKim Harper by Jeanie BernaKim Harper by Credonna DreherKim Harper by Deanna FosterKim Harper by Joey HartleyKim Harper by Jenny TannerKim Harper by Molly VergruggeSusan Hoffpauir by Sandra RobertsonEllen Ingram by Temeka WilliamsRuth Remmel by Mary BoazEd Scott by Arita & Tom JewartJanis Stair by Suzanne Stair & Charles OxfordMary Wohlleb by Mary BoazMary Wohlleb by Tricia & Jim FowlerMary Wohlleb by Ruth Remmel

In Memory of

Barbara Brewer by Dimples & Walter BaileyBarbara Brewer by Country Club of CharlestonBarbara Brewer by Graham CoxBarbara Brewer by Allan EidsonBarbara Brewer by Betty JacksonBarbara Brewer by Ann & Gene LewisBarbara Brewer by Diane & Fletcher LordBarbara Brewer by Sophia McAllisterBarbara Brewer by Camille & John MoriauBarbara Brewer by Anna PalmerBarbara Brewer by Ginny RavenelBarbara Brewer by Wendy & E.H. SaerBarbara Brewer by Jule SimonsBarbara Brewer by Elizabeth & William SouthernBarbara Brewer by David WhittBarbara Brewer by Womens Golf Assocation Country Club of Charleston

In-Kind Donations

Grants / Foundations

Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationWalton Family Foundation

Single Parent ScholarShiP Fund oF PulaSki countywww.spsfpulaski.org501.301.7773

P.O. Box 925Little Rock, AR 72203

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PDLITTLE ROCK, AR

PERMIT 2288

Chaney AlexanderUALR

Carlita EdwardsUALR

Jamie JohnsonUALR

Micah MooreUALR

Cindy WilliamsASU

Megan TorresUALR

Bonita NashABC

SPSF December GraduatesCongratulations on your well deserved success..

Fall / Winter 2014

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Transcript of Fall / Winter 2014