Today is GivingTuesday, a day that reminds us of the power of choosing to invest in one another. This year, I want to highlight H.O.P.E. Inc. (Helping Other People Be Empowered), an organization that transforms the lives of single parents in both immediate and lasting ways. Their work is built on dignity, opportunity, and the belief that every parent deserves the chance to create a stable and hopeful future for their family.
At the core of H.O.P.E. Inc. is its founder, Kenita Smith, who understands the struggles of single parenting on a deeply personal level. She saw how tough it can be to raise a child while pursuing education or building a career. She also recognized how often single parents fall behind, not because they lack ambition, but because they don’t have enough support. Kenita understood that when parents have access to childcare, financial stability, and a supportive community, they can stay in school, earn degrees, and create new opportunities for their families. Her mission was simple yet powerful: to remove barriers that hold parents back and to create a path where education, stability, and hope are truly within reach. Her work reflects her belief that supporting a parent can change the future of an entire family.
H.O.P.E. Inc. offers support that extends well beyond financial aid. They provide childcare so parents can continue their education or maintain steady jobs. They offer scholarships that unlock access to degrees many once thought impossible. They support single parents with coaching, community, and emotional encouragement during their most critical moments. To date, H.O.P.E. Inc. has helped over 140 single parents finish their degrees and has positively impacted the lives of more than 290 children in those households. These results are not fleeting; they are lasting. They change a family’s future for years to come.
When you examine the numbers, the story becomes even more compelling. H.O.P.E., Inc. reports that over 80% of parents in the program graduate, many as the first in their families to earn a degree. The wraparound support model, which includes childcare, rent assistance, coaching, and emergency aid, significantly boosts stability at home. It lowers the dropout rate that often prevents single parents from moving forward. These services do not just help a parent get through the week; they create a foundation for a future that feels attainable again.
It is incredible what happens when a parent finally has the support they need. Parents complete their degrees and step into higher-paying roles. Children gain stability and see firsthand what it looks like to rise above challenges. Families begin to breathe easier. A cycle that once felt unbreakable begins to shift into one filled with opportunity. When a single parent rises, the entire family increases with them. That ripple effect can transform generations.
Some of the most meaningful investments we can make are in parents who work tirelessly to create a better life for their children. H.O.P.E. Inc. helps single parents move forward with strength, support, and renewed purpose. For those seeking to make a more profound impact, sponsoring a full year of support for a family can stabilize a household completely and keep a parent on the path to graduation.
If you want to hear more of Kenita’s vision, you can listen to the full interview on Herstories. If you’re inspired to help, support H.O.P.E. Inc. by getting involved. Your generosity can open doors, ease burdens, and truly improve a family’s future.
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