Brenda

Meet Brenda!

A thirty-six-year-old, single mother of a teen daughter in Rex, Georgia. Brenda contacted H.O.P.E. Inc. for rent assistance when the demands of her Dental Hygiene Program interfered with her work hours and her work study job did not meet her basic needs. 

Background

Brenda is a single mother of one teen daughter. 

Client Situation

Brenda was engaged and looking forward to her future until religious differences caused her to cancel her engagement. She had plan to coparent until she was asked to move out in January. With a teenage daughter and reduced income, Brenda was financially unable to afford her necessities. She was almost done with her Dental Hygiene program, but her work study income was not providing what she needed. She realized that she was going to have to ask for help if she planned on graduating. A program adviser referred her to H.O.P.E, Inc.

Action

H.O.P.E. Inc. agreed to assist Brenda with $400 a month in rent assistance, which helped her tremendously. Brenda was always good with money, but with the support of budget coaches, she was able to increase her savings to over $5,000 and excel in her program. She was able to graduate with her Associate’s in Dental Hygiene from Fortis College in December of 2021, increasing her income from $9,258 to $93,859! A 589% increase! 

Testimonial

“I am extremely satisfied with the HOPE program!!!”

(Brenda, 2021 Graduate) 

Tyronda

Meet Tyronda!

Tyronda is a 40-year-old single mother to a young son in Marietta, Georgia. While attending Fortis College’s Dental Hygienist Program, Tyronda struggled to cover the costs of rent and childcare. After hearing about H.O.P.E. Inc., she reached out for financial assistance to be able to continue to pursue her education.

Background

For over six years, Tyronda fought to become a Dental Hygienist, trying to get into a program that accepts only 20 students out of thousands that apply. After countless interviews, references, and tests, Tyronda finally got into the program. However, as she started school, she was faced with an unforeseen obstacle — a divorce. With her ex-husband as the bread-winner and unable to work many hours due to school, Tyronda was left wondering how to pay for rent and her son’s after-school childcare. Staying in school grew increasingly difficult, and as the pandemic hit and school went online, she started to reach out to friends in her program for help.

Client Situation

Tryonda’s friends encouraged her to seek out the school counselor for advice, and it was there she learned of H.O.P.E. Inc. After applying, she got the chance to speak with H.O.P.E. Inc.’s founder, Kenita Smith. Tyronda recognized that Kenita had experienced a similar situation to her’s, and she was encouraged to continue to pursue her education despite the financial struggles. “It’s so easy to leave school if you can’t afford it because the main priority is to work and find help for my son,” Tyronda says. “There’s limited resources out there, and it’s a dilemma. But H.O.P.E. really came through.”

Action

H.O.P.E. Inc. was able to financially cover a third of Tyronda’s rent every month, as well as fully cover her after-school childcare fees by offering her $600 a month. This financial assistance helped Tryonda to pursue her remaining education without fear of affording school and childcare. She also benefited from H.O.P.E.’s free budgeting courses, where she learned how to manage her finances to be successful. 

In late 2021, Tyronda graduated from Fortis College’s Dental Hygienist Program, and she secured a job that has increased her income $70,000! For her, the most rewarding part of graduating was her son watching her get her diploma. “For him to see that was everything,” she says. “Kids, they remember stuff like that, and it embeds something in them that you can’t even tell them. So H.O.P.E. has definitely changed lives, and even generations to come.”

Testimonial

“I never predicted that I would be a single parent trying to make it. But there are programs out there like H.O.P.E. that help, and I would strongly recommend H.O.P.E. to anyone. It’s an awesome program. It’s more than just the finances — they help you grow.”

(Tyronda, 2021 Graduate) 

Single parents! Here’s 3 ways to offset the cost of inflation

It’s no secret that prices have risen dramatically the past few years. From groceries to rent to transportation — the cost of living day-to-day life for single parents can feel frankly overwhelming.

So how can you combat the reality of rising prices, while still providing for your child’s needs? If you are feeling the pressures of living costs, here are three easy tips on how to save money in an inflated economy.

1. Discover budget-friendly food options

• Eat at home. Restaurants can be expensive, so it’s helpful to know how to find budget-friendly grocery stores. Walmart and Aldi are known nationally for having affordable groceries, and Sam’s Club and Costco are great for buying bulk items for large families. 
• Shop at farmers markets. Farmers markets are a great place to find produce that is not only affordable, but locally grown and organic. You can discover a farmers market near you through the National Farmers Market Directory.
• Utilize restaurant deals. Many restaurants have cheaper menus for children, and some — like IHOP, Denny’s, and Ruby Tuesday — have times of day where kids can eat free! Click here to discover more restaurants in the Atlanta area with kid-friendly deals.

2. Save money on clothing

• Know where to shop. Shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army can save big bucks on clothing, as well as large discount stores like TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack. There are even shops like Uptown Cheapskate or Plato’s Closet that will buy your used clothes and give you store credit or cash back!
• Shop out of season. Buying clothes — and other appliances — after prime seasons can provide significant discounts. For example, you can often find discounts on winter clothes at the end of January, versus before the winter season begins. Check out this guide for the best times of year to buy seasonal clothes.

3. Find affordable child care

• Discover programs. Child Care Aware America and Head Start can help you find state-funded child care programs, as well as financial support for your children’s mental, physical, and social well-being. In Georgia, you can also check out the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program for access to child care for low-income families. 
• Child care assistance programs. Make sure to research your school or workplace to see if they have any child care benefits — you might be surprised to find that they have programs like on-site day care services you can utilize. 
• Lean on a support system. Community can be a huge asset for finding child care. Asking family and friends to help babysit or starting a carpooling network with your neighbors can help you balance your schedule and alleviate child care costs.

Whether it’s affording child care or groceries, we know that the struggle can be tough for single parents to provide in today’s economy. That’s why H.O.P.E. Inc. is passionate about financially supporting single parents who are pursuing their education, so that they don’t have to worry about rising rent or living costs while pursuing their goals. 

If you are interested or know of someone who would like to be a H.O.P.E. participant, you can find more information here!