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Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund Scholarship recipient Toccara Pearson (again) evokes her household to work onerous for his or her objectives.
Few dad and mom can say they graduated similtaneously their youngsters, however single mother Toccara Pearson has accomplished it twice!
In Could 2019, Toccara accomplished her affiliate diploma from the College of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical Faculty as her oldest daughter, To’Kira, graduated highschool. In Could 2022, Toccara acquired her bachelor’s diploma in social work from the College of Arkansas at Little Rock, as her son, To’Darius, accomplished his highschool diploma.
“I’m going to attempt to work it out in order that I can graduate with my youngest, To’Mira, who’s 14 years outdated, with my grasp’s as a result of no mom can say she graduated with all three of her youngsters!” Toccara stated.
Toccara has been a recipient of the Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund since spring 2019. She is grateful for the scholarship — which has helped her purchase meals for her household, pay electrical energy payments, buy a pc for schoolwork, and afford a automobile restore after a baseball follow ended with a smashed window — and the group she’s gained by way of workshops, mentors, and different single dad and mom.
Toccara Pearson (middle) and her household take part in a Cooking Issues Workshop hosted by Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund.
Toccara’s journey has not been a straightforward one. She was 8 years outdated when her mom died. Her father turned to alcohol to deal with the stress of being a single father, and over time this led to violence within the residence. She went to dwell together with her grandmother, after which throughout her senior 12 months of highschool, turned pregnant.
“On the time, I assumed that my life was ending, and I wasn’t going to graduate,” she stated. “Luckily, my highschool counselor intervened. She let me know that my life wasn’t ending, it was simply starting, and she or he was going to be by my aspect.”
Toccara married after highschool and had one other youngster, however they divorced. She then remarried, had her third youngster, however that marriage, too, led to divorce. Toccara discovered herself caring for 3 youngsters on half the revenue.
“I used to be occupied with the way forward for my household and supporting them, so I made a decision to return to highschool,” she stated. “As a single mom, I made a decision to point out my three youngsters that it doesn’t matter what age you determine to return to highschool, it’s by no means too late.”
This spring, Toccara Pearson graduated from the College of Arkansas at Little Rock together with her bachelor’s diploma in social work.
Toccara is each excited and nervous about post-graduation life. She’s labored on the identical workplace for 18 years, and it’s bittersweet to begin a brand new profession in social work. However Toccara says she’s prepared for the problem and hopes to open a shelter for girls sooner or later.
“There are such a lot of assets on the market, and so many individuals don’t know the best way to get these assets, and I need to be that particular person to do it,” she stated. “I’ve all the time been good with managing my time and discovering assets for my household, and I can additional that by serving to different individuals.”
Toccara stated her three youngsters encourage her to stability parenthood, full-time employment, an internship, and schoolwork. “We assist one another the place we have to assist one another, and that’s what’s necessary,” she stated.
To’Darius, who desires to earn his industrial driver’s license after which research engineering, stated she evokes him each day to achieve for extra. And To’Mira, who desires to be a physician, stated she’s glad her mother is pursuing her dream of serving to individuals.
Recognizing the function ASPSF has performed in her life, Toccara stated she appreciates the funding the donors and volunteers have made in her and so many different single dad and mom, serving to them full their research and earn greater wages for his or her households.
“With out their contribution, there wouldn’t be a program like this. There are such a lot of ladies attempting to additional their careers, who’re struggling and looking for funding.” she stated. “I’m going to overlook being part of ASPSF. This program has helped me out quite a bit all through the years. Thanks for every thing.”
Toccara Pearson picks up her Spring 2022 Arkansas Single Mother or father Scholarship Fund examine and certificates.
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