Single Parent Support System

The Foundation has chosen the Single Parent Support System as one of its major projects. The information below, taken from an article from St. Paul's College "Where Journeys Begin," details the scope of this project.

In Fall 1987, Saint Paul's College established one of the first college programs for single parents in Virginia and the nation. The College recognized a compelling need among single parents of African American descent in Virginia for a college education within an environment that provides supportive housing, childcare, child development, and scholarship assistance. Single parents face challenges critical to their families' survival. Many single parents feel trapped between the need to care for their children, hold jobs, and seek a college education to secure better career opportunities. They are often faced with a lack of time, access to financial resources, and emotional support.

Saint Paul's College has established a very successful Single Parent Support System for this special population. This program has been designed to help break the dependence many single parents have had on public programs. It brings support and opportunities to the most economically disadvantaged families in America - single parents and their children.

At Saint Paul's College, the Single Parent Support System provides a total spectrum of services to single parents, which includes housing for their families, childcare and child development, and scholarship funding for their pursuit of a college education. This program includes academic advisement, health and sex education, and child development seminars. The Single Parent Support System team has in-depth contact with each student on a weekly basis. In order to maintain their scholarships, participants must meet specific academic standards.

The Single Parent Support System is directed by Michelle Jones Finney with support from other team members. Throughout 16 years of operation, more than 335 students have participated in the Single Parents Program, with many continuing their studies at such graduate schools of distinction as Rutgers School of Law, Virginia State University, Ohio State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Hampton University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, and others.

"Books For College" Annual Educational Drive
Annually, funds are raised to provide scholarships to local students for the purchase of college books. The latest fundraising drive was held from June 1 to August 30, 2006, followed by a concert on September 23, 2006, featuring an outstanding vocalist.

"...On The Sabbath After"
One of the first major projects of the Foundation was the publication of the book "... On The Sabbath After," a compilation of messages of hope delivered on the Sabbath after September 11, 2001 as a tribute to the victims and their families.

General Charities
These include natural disaster victims, difficult and/or poverty situations and outstanding church efforts.