The Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma (WFO) – in their effort to create economic self-sufficiency for Oklahoma women and girls – has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) Single Parent Academic Resources Collaborative (SPARC) program.

The SPARC program assist students with identifying resources available at OCCC and in the community to support their quest for degree completion. For the 2018-19 academic year, the $5,000 WFO grant will expand programming to assist single parents with the college onboarding process and provide follow-up contact during critical periods in the semester when student attrition is highest.

“We are thankful that the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma continues to provide funding for programs that can benefit OCCC single parents. Their investment in student support initiatives is critical for students seeking resources for their educational journey,†said Yashanda Scruggs, director of student support services.

Grants were available to all Oklahoma public college and universities in support of services for single mother students. Grants of up to $5,000 were awarded based on the ability to provide support for single mother students and the proposed program’s ability for broad impact on a significant number of students. WFO awarded grants to 14 Oklahoma colleges and universities.

This initiative began in 2015 when the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma awarded their first seven grants to Oklahoma educational institutions. In addition to providing funds, this grant has helped raise awareness of the need for focused supports of the single parent population on campus. Single mother student activities and/or programs are now on higher education campuses in Oklahoma.

“We are thrilled to work with SPARC at Oklahoma City Community College to help improve the experience of single parents attending college,†said Teresa Rose Crook, WFO Executive Director. “Our goal is to eliminate barriers that may be in the way of degree completion and create better quality of life for these families.â€

For more information about the SPARC program, please visit www.occc.edu/sparc/ or call 405-682-7520 or email smartparents@occc.edu.

About The Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma

The Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma, an endowed fund of Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, has paid over $550,000 to organizations who are providing direct services to the single parent population and dedicated to the economic self-sufficiency of Oklahoma women and girls. The WFO Endowment is managed by Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. For more information on both, please visit www.wfok.org and www.cfok.org .

About OCCC

OCCC enrolls more than 20,000 students annually. The college is currently the largest adult basic education provider in the state. OCCC offers a full range of associate degree programs that prepare students to transfer to baccalaureate institutions while other degree and certificate programs prepare students for immediate employment. At OCCC, students receive a quality education with small class sizes, dedicated professors and leadership opportunities. Students can choose from more than 60 major fields of study and participate in any of the 40+ clubs and organizations. For more information about OCCC, visit www.occc.edu.