Ashley Buckner was among the 900 single parents who won a scholarship from the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, which awarded $1.4 last year.
Little Rock, Ark. (Oct. 24, 2022) — The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program awarded the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund , or ASPSF, a $7,000 Grant to create the 2023 Union Pacific Scholarship Project.
The project will fund scholarships and wraparound services for 10 single parent students in Camden, Hope, Hoxie, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Texarkana, and Van Buren during the Spring 2023 semester.
Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program provides small- and medium-sized grants that align with the railroad’s priority areas in safety, workforce development, and community spaces.
“Union Pacific proudly supports organizations that improve the quality of life where our employees live and work,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president-Corporate Relations, chief administrative officer, and Union Pacific Foundation President. “Investing in high-quality, nonprofit programs puts our communities in a position for future growth and prosperity.”
Specifically, the 2023 Union Pacific Scholarship Project will assist low-to-moderate-income single parents who are raising their children while pursuing a career-focused degree or skilled-trade certification. Their higher education journey allows for a higher income, a higher standard of living for their families, and a higher chance that their children will plan for their own higher education and professional employment.
“Single parent students are highly motivated to improve their skills and earning potential through education, though they are less likely to graduate than students without children because of greater time and financial demands,” ASPSF Development Manager Wendy Stotts said. “The 2023 Union Pacific Scholarship Project will bridge a financial gap for single parent students who might otherwise forego their pursuit of education when an expense for their child takes priority.”
Last year, ASPSF distributed $1.4 million in scholarships across Arkansas to over 900 single parents, who showed their 1,500 children that higher education is within reach. Investing in single parents not only strengthens communities with viable economic impact but also emboldens entire families to imagine a brighter future.
For more information, please contact ASPSF Development Manager Wendy Stotts at 870-277-0956 or [email protected].
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund:  For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.