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About Us2026-09-15T03:34:56+00:00

H.O.P.E, Inc. is dedicated to increasing the number of single parent graduates in the state of Georgia and ultimately nationwide.

Single parents are some of the most resilient people we know, and we created a 501c3 tax-exempt organization to empower, encourage, and equip low-income single parents to obtain a college degree, develop essential life skills, and ultimately become self-sufficient through wrap-around services including financial assistance for housing and childcare, community resources, financial training, and counseling.

Our approach is unique and effectively changing lives.

H.O.P.E., Inc. stands for Helping Other People be Empowered. Kenita Smith founded it in November 2009, out of her own experience. She was a single parent, and she struggled to finish her BBA and MBA. There was almost no help for parents in her position, and she wanted to change that.

Money is the number one reason students do not finish college, and government aid leaves a gap. It covers rent only if a parent is not working. It covers childcare only for parents earning a diploma or certificate who are living below the poverty line.

That leaves out the parents who are working and going to school to build a better life. Those are the parents we help. We put up to $400 a month toward rent and up to $400 a month toward childcare while you attend a two or four-year accredited college. The money goes straight to your landlord, lender, or licensed childcare provider.

Two women and two children walking hand-in-hand on residential street

We determine eligibility by conducting an intake and application process. Each individual must provide the following for consideration:

  • An application

  • Proof of dependency

  • Proof of residency

  • Proof of employment and income (last four check stubs)

  • Proof of Enrollment in a Two or Four year college

  • Current/last semester transcripts.

And what’s even more amazing, applicants are not expected to pay to participate in our program.

Woman and three children sitting together on outdoor bench

We Affect Change

We offer assistance to single parents when they need it the most. We believe in helping those who are trying to help themselves. It can take single parents 6-15 years to complete their degree. We make sure they have the support they need to finish in under six years and decrease their anxieties regarding shelter and childcare.

We have an 82% graduation rate, proving that our concept is effective and works.

Don’t believe us? Hear about our program from our single-parent graduates.

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I became a teen mom, dropped out of high school, and later raised four children as a single mother. Now I’m preparing to graduate with my nursing degree, and I could not have done it without H.O.P.E. My next goal is to become a sponsor and help another mother fulfill her dream.

— Shannon

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While earning my BSN and raising two children, I was constantly worrying about how I was going to pay for everything. H.O.P.E.’s mortgage assistance and gift cards for groceries and gas eased that financial stress so I could stay in school and focus on earning my degree.

— Charlene

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I had been going from shelter to shelter, working jobs that still weren’t enough to create stability for my family. H.O.P.E. helped me stay afloat while I earned my degree and positioned myself for a career that could finally break that cycle.

— Bianca

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Proof of residency is required and a copy of your social security card, birth certificate, or U.S. passport will be required upon application.

No, you must be gainfully employed either full-time or part-time for at least 6 consecutive months prior to applying. Proof of employment/proof of income (the last 4 paycheck stubs) will be required.

All applicants need to show a “financial need” as determined by our criteria. Details will be discussed during a phone interview.

Although you have a “source” of income, our participants must be actively employed to receive our assistance. We strive to assist single parents that do not have any resources available through other government programs, and there are other programs that support SSI benefits recipients.

Our participants must already be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited 2 year or 4-year college or university, which includes junior colleges and private colleges, and maintain a B average/ 2.75 GPA. Proof of academic enrollment is required showing GPA and transcripts must be submitted after each semester/quarter.

A college undergraduate degree is an associate or bachelor’s degree administered by a 2 year or 4-year college or university, which includes junior colleges and private colleges. Certifications, diplomas, or any trade-specific degrees are not eligible degrees.

Our participants must be a high school grad or have successfully attained their GED.

We reserve our assistance for single parents in an undergraduate school program, at a 2-year or 4-year college or university, both public and private.

We do not offer scholarships or tuition assistance. At times, we may receive scholarship opportunities from local organizations looking to assist single parents with tuition, and we refer them to our participants at that time.

We look at opportunities like this on a one-time-only emergency basis and only provide this assistance to a participant currently in our program.

If your child is old enough to not attend childcare, you are not eligible to receive childcare assistance. Proof of dependency will be required. Childcare assistance is provided up to $100 per week, regardless of the number of children you have. Assistance will be made available to qualified participants for a maximum of 2 years for a 2-year college or 4 years for a 4-year college, as long as the children are still eligible to attend childcare. Vouchers are issued directly to the childcare provider.

Once your children, still living with you, are old enough to be employed, you are no longer eligible for rent assistance. Proof of dependency will be required. As a qualified participant, rent assistance will be made available for up to $400 per month for a maximum of 2 years for a 2-year college and 4 years for a 4-year college. Subsidized housing vouchers are paid directly to the landlord.

At this time, we are only accepting applications from those in the Metro Atlanta area. However, in the past, we have been known to accept applicants from out-of-state or grant ONE-TIME ONLY EMERGENCY assistance to participants that have moved out of state.

All applications are accepted only through our online system.

Due to limited staff, we prefer to receive all inquiries or applications via our website, for better handling. However, you may leave us a message at (678)695-6688 if you have questions that have not been answered on our website FAQ. We will return your call at our earliest convenience.

We make every attempt to respond to each application quickly; however, due to the volume of applications received each day, we appreciate your patience. We will respond via email as soon as your application and required documents have been received, reviewed, and processed. If additional information is needed, we will also let you know via email. If you are eligible, you will receive an email requesting times for a phone interview. If you are ineligible, a denial letter will be sent by email.

No. The funds received are not loans and are not required back.

Yes, you are able to apply again if you meet the criteria when you submit your new application.

We do not have a waiting list but will enforce one when our program capacity has been met. If there is a waiting list you will be notified at the time of your initial interview.

Contact Us

p.o. Box 3166 Duluth, GA 30096

Applications@hopbe.org

678-695-6688

678-623-3628

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