Generation Hope

We are proud to release our newest report, “EmpowerED Dads: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers”! 📣 This study delves deep into the distinct experiences of student fathers as they navigate the dual responsibilities of parenting and pursuing higher education. Informed by focus groups and journal entries from student fathers, our report highlights the barriers that fathers in college often face, shedding light on systemic issues that impact their academic journey and personal well-being. We advocate for essential policy reforms and robust support systems aimed at fostering their success. Join us in recognizing the hard work and dedication of these individuals and supporting initiatives that promote their academic and personal fulfillment. Read our findings and policy recommendations: https://lnkd.in/eY9ABvEy . . . Image description: A purple graphic announcing Generation Hope’s new report, “EmpowerED Dads: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers,” with a photo of a father holding his child on his shoulders and grinning. #StudentParents #StudentFathers #HigherEducation #HigherEdResearch #HigherEdEquity #RaceEquity

Introducing our 2024 Scholar Classes in DC and New Orleans! 👋 Every summer at Generation Hope, we welcome new Scholars and mentors. Our Scholar Program provides wrap-around support — mentoring, tuition assistance and a supportive and family-inclusive community to help young parenting students earn their degrees. In Washington D.C., we're growing our impact with 48 new Scholars, totaling 175 in the Metro area. In NOLA 14 Scholars joined the program, creating our largest class in the region with 33 parenting students. All of our DC and NOLA Scholars combined represent diverse backgrounds and are all at various stages of their journey to graduation. Read more about them and how you can contribute on our blog — https://lnkd.in/gdZc2Sd6 . . . . . . Image description: A photo of a Student Parent carrying their child with both of them smiling for the camera #GenerationHope #StudentParents #ScholarshipProgram #CommunityEngagement

Spending time with our community and getting to know our Scholars is one of the best parts of the work we do at Generation Hope! We are excited to welcome our new Scholars in DC and New Orleans, who will be with us and receive our wraparound supports throughout their academic journeys! 📚 At our annual kick-off events, our new Scholars met their mentors who will guide and support them through each phase of their academic experience. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in DC and NOLA — your support means everything to us. We can't wait to see the incredible accomplishments of our Scholars this year! 💜 . . . . . Image description: A group image of Generation Hope’s new New Orleans scholars with their children, mentors, and Generation Hope staff. #GenerationHope #DCStudents #NOLAStudens #StudentParents #2024Scholars

“As we strive for a more inclusive and equitable educational environment, it is imperative that we amplify the voices of student fathers and advocate for policies that support their success.” LearningWell published an article by Generation Hope Director of Policy, Advocacy and Research Dr. Brittani (Shaw) W. about our new report, “EmpowerED Dads.” The article underscores our findings on student fathers and the challenges they go through in silence. Read the article to learn more about what the report covers and how institutions and policy makers can address these issues and better support dads in college 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ee62jBD7 #StudentParentSuccess #StudentFathers #GenerationHope #GenerationHopeReport

We recently published “EmpowerED Dads: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers," our report highlighting the unique challenges student fathers face as they balance their responsibilities as parents and their academic journey. We are hosting a webinar on Wednesday, July 24 at 12 pm (EST) and we would love you to join us! During this virtual event, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from student fathers Corey Poarch, Darin Wellons, and Christopher Nieves, who will share more about their lived experiences. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn, connect, and be inspired to advocate for change. Register today and mark your calendars 🔗 — https://lnkd.in/eVbcDvM7 . . . . . Image description: A purple graphic with a photo of Student Father at Virginia State University, Corey Poarch, a photo of Student Father at Madison Area Technical College, Darin Wellons, a photo of Student Father at Laguardia Community College, Christopher Nieves and text saying, “EmpowerED Dads: Unveiling Insights on Fatherhood and Higher Education. Meet the speakers: Hear from three student fathers about their experiences in higher ed! July 24, 2024 1-2pm (ET) on zoom”

Our inaugural Student Parent Advocacy Alliance (SPAA) has wrapped up a successful 6-month journey! These nine student parents from across the country have shaped the future by making big moves to advocate for family-inclusive policies at both federal and state levels. During their term, they met with lawmakers and testified in front of legislative committees, putting the spotlight on the challenges student parents face on a daily basis and driving systemic change. Read more about the impactful work they have done and how we plan to continue this journey moving forward: https://lnkd.in/eTgQn2GC P.S. Are you a current student parent or recent graduate interested in policy advocacy? Apply for our next SPAA by Friday, July 19! . . . Image description: A purple graphic with photos of the nine Student Parent Advocacy Alliance members and text saying: New blog post, Celebrating Our Impact: A Reflection on the Inaugural Student Parent Advocacy Alliance Cohort #SPAA #GenHope #StudentParents #GenerationHope

After two years of impactful work together, we recently celebrated the conclusion of our 2022-2024 #FamilyU Cohort! 🎓 It was an honor to bring together teams from seven change-making higher ed institutions to showcase everything they’ve accomplished for #StudentParents and families. We also got to hear from our Student Parent Fellows, who have been sharing their insights and lived experiences with institutional leadership and creating their own advocacy projects. This work doesn’t stop just because the Cohort experience has come to an end. As we explored the new supports and policies that these colleges have implemented, we also looked to the future and discussed methods to keep these equity-driven practices moving forward. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this Cohort’s success for your dedication to creating more family-inclusive institutions! Let’s give our 2022 Cohort one more round of applause: Austin Community College, Houston Community College, Madison Area Technical College, Norfolk State University, San Diego Mesa College, Santa Fe Community College, and Virginia State University. 👏 . . . Image descriptions: Eight photos of Generation Hope staff members and FamilyU participants and Fellows at the final celebration with our 2022 Cohort, including a group photo. Specific descriptions of each photo available in alt text or upon request. #StudentParentSuccess #GenerationHope #TechnicalAssistance #HigherEducationLeadership #HigherEducationEquity

At Generation Hope, we are launching an ambitious 5-year Strategic Path to ignite systemic change and reach and support over 3 million student parents and their families! We have 6 main goals to guide our work, including deepening our direct support for both student parents and their children and intentionally transforming higher education. We'll also build and maintain diverse leadership, enhance operations within our organization, strategically connect with more partners, and advocate for equity and access. Take a look at our full 5-year strategic path and how you can contribute to making positive changes in the lives of two generations: https://lnkd.in/eksuW2wJ . . . . . . . Image description: A purple graphic with text saying: Five-Year Strategic Path Goals, Leader: We will build racially diverse leaders on our National and Local Boards to fulfill our mission and create a just world where all families are supported & thrive. Employer: We will improve internal operations and maintain an inclusive, healthy work culture. Resource Connector: We will meet fundraising targets by strategically growing resources & partnerships to mitigate systems of poverty and oppression for families of color. Activist: We will advocate nationally for student parents and families experiencing poverty, protecting and growing their equity, access, wealth, and power. Service Provider: We will prove young families' potential by removing systemic barriers and deepening our direct work with families. Trainer: We will transform higher ed through student-centered resources, tools, and race-equity-focused convenings.

An estimated 23% of all undergraduate students in New Orleans are parents. Last summer, we officially launched our New Orleans Scholar Program to provide vital, wraparound supports for young parents in college, and we’re proud to celebrate one year of impact. Generation Hope Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis and Director of New Orleans Programming Lindsey Cross recently spoke with WWNO-FM to discuss how our NOLA Scholar Program encourages and supports student parents in their journey through college. Listen here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3KZge9y . . . . Image description: A photo of Generation Hope’s New Orleans Programs Director: Lindsey Cross, Program Coordinator: Michael Shedrick, a scholar with their child and founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis

Come join us for a webinar exploring our new report, “EmpowerED Dads: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers” on Wednesday, July 24! You will get to hear from our Policy & Research team and a panel of dedicated student fathers as we highlight key insights from our research and advocate for change in our communities and colleges. Don’t miss out! RSVP today to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/eVbcDvM7  . . . . Image description: A purple and blue graphic with a photo of a father and his child and text saying, “Join our live webinar! EmpowerED Dads:  Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers, RSVP for the webinar, July 24, 2024 at 1 to 2 PM Eastern Time on Zoom”