Employees from Electric Insurance Co. and Zampell Building Services work on Cherie Gouthro’s house in Beverly.
(Joanne Rathe/Globe Staff)
Program aiding single moms cut
Employees from Electric Insurance Co. and Zampell Building Services work on Cherie Gouthro’s house in Beverly.
(Joanne Rathe/Globe Staff)
Leaders of a scholarship program designed to help single mothers lift themselves and their children out of poverty plan to shift their fund-raising efforts into overdrive after learning that the $27.4 billion state budget approved by lawmakers last week eliminates public funding for the One Family Scholars program.
“It’s very disappointing,’’ said Jennifer Fries, policy director for One Family Inc. “It’s the end of a public-private partnership’’ that has been in place for five years.
Through the One Family Scholars program, formerly homeless and low-income single mothers receive financial assistance to complete their college education. Started in 2000 with 14 scholars, the program provides aid for things that traditional scholarships simply will not cover - such as rent, child care, and car repairs - to help break down barriers that often preclude single mothers from pursuing college degrees.
With five sites across the state, including Wellspring House in Gloucester, Housing Families Inc. in Malden, and Community Teamwork Inc. of Lowell, the program also offers a stable foundation for economic independence and civic leadership by providing professional development, leadership training, and workshops in financial literacy. This fiscal year, One Family is providing aid to 125 students.
“This scholarship is my vehicle to get out of poverty and provide better for my son,’’ said Awilda Pimentel, 28, a One Family Scholar from Lawrence who is studying for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. “For this [cut in funding] to be happening now, it’s daunting because we have come so far. It means my son and I could be at risk of being homeless, of having to start again at square one.’’
One Family has raised enough money to provide scholarships in the upcoming budget year to 78 women, including the program’s 64 returning scholars. However, One Family had hoped to again offer assistance to 125 women; the loss of public support will force the program to cut 47 scholarships in fiscal 2010, which began July 1.
Fries said she is hopeful that One Family will be able to raise additional money and provide scholarships to more women. She believes the success of past scholars will persuade new donors to open their checkbooks.
Women come into the scholarship program earning, on average, $11,000 a year, Fries said, and leave commanding an average annual salary of $46,000, with the academic credentials, self-confidence, and leadership skills required to be successful professionals and effective ambassadors for civic change. Many scholars go on to work with One Family to advocate for statewide policy changes geared toward ending family homelessness.
“This is not a Band-Aid, like many other programs - it’s more like a cure,’’ said Fries.
To learn more about One Family Inc. and the scholars program, visit www.onefamilyinc.org. Brenda J. Buote may be reached at bbuote@comcast.net. 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
