A Scholarship for Britine and her daughter Ella.

This year, I'll be continuing to volunteer as a sponsor for a very special non-profit organization, an organization that has personally helped me, Generation Hope. I'm writing this to ask for YOUR help in supporting my Scholar, Britnie. 

Generation Hope is a small nonprofit based out of Washington D.C. with a primary goal of providing tuition assistance and 1 on 1 mentoring to teenage parents in need. There is no other nonprofit organization focusing on helping teen parents complete college in the D.C. area, and Generation Hope is one of very few across the country. They currently provide their services to almost 100 young mothers and fathers across the region who are on their way to a degree, and they reach 200 expecting or parenting high school students annually through their college-readiness workshops. D.C. has the number-one teen pregnancy rate in the nation, which means that thousands more need Generation Hope’s services.

As Britnie's Sponsor, I am be responsible for contributing towards her tuition in the amount of $1,200.  This will be my 3rd year sponsoring Britnie. This year Britnie applied to participate in a new program within Generation Hope called Next Generation Academy.  Part of the model of Next Generation Academy to pair scholars and their children with Resource Families. The Resource Family will build a relationship with the Scholar and their child as well as directly invest in the early childhood success of a teen parent's little one. 

As my family continued to spend time with Britnie and her daughter on a monthly bases I decided to commit to becoming a Resource Family. My family has committed to attending monthly group dinners, connecting Britnie and her daughter with our networks to help with her child's need, and contribute $1,200 to the Education Fund. The education fund will help Britnie access high-quality childcare for her daughter, wish list items, and school supplies. As part of Next Generation Academy, Britnie also receives monthly home visits to help her become the best parent she can be.

This week my daughter was not invited to a birthday party for our next door neighbor. When she asked her friend why she has not invited the girls told her because my mom does not like your family.  When your family is not like other families you know even when you have similar resources as your peers. I was accepted into Generation Hope as a scholar in the Fall of 2012 and continued in the program until my graduation in the Spring of 2015.  Generation Hope matched me with a mentor and brought me into their community which provided me the support during the last three years of college. I am now completing my fourth year as a high school chemistry teacher in Arlington, Virginia. My Generation Hope family has been there for even after graduation as I transitioned into their Alumni program and joined the leadership

 Did you know that Washington, DC has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the United States? This high rate has a huge implication for not only the parents but also for their children. Less than a third of teen mother’s graduate high school and less than 2% who have a child before the age of 18 complete colleges before the age of 30. Both of my children were born before I turned 19 and I completed college before I turned 25. Statistics say children born to unmarried, high school dropout teen mothers are 10x more likely to live in poverty than their peers. Because of these overwhelming odds, I feel drawn to serve as a Sponsor not only to help me support my children's future of other teen parents and their children. When a teen parent earns a college degree, the statistics for their entire family immediately improve.

I have committed to raising $3000 to provide a scholarship for a bright, dedicated young parent. The money I raise will go directly to my Scholar’s tuition, directly supporting their ambition to attend college and benefit her family. A college degree can mean the difference between a life of poverty and a life of stability for a young parent and their child. 

Generation Hope is a unique, innovative nonprofit organization. Through their model of matching teen parents with Sponsors who provide both one-on-one mentoring support and tuition assistance, the organization has provided more than $500,000 in tuition support to teen parents in just eight years. Generation Hope has also gained national attention for its innovative work. In 2014, Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis was named a CNN Hero. I am the scholar featured in the video. Generation Hope is the only organization in the DC metro area with a sole focus on helping teen parents complete college, and one of only very few nationally.

To reach my fundraising goal and fully support Britnie, I need your help. Will you consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of $50 or more?