September 11, 2023
Governor Katie Hobbs approves no-cost ARPA extension supporting the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona’s pilot Pathways for Single Moms program
On August 8, 2023, the office of Governor Katie Hobbs and the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting approved a no-cost ARPA extension to further fund the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona’s (WFSA) Pathways for Single Moms pilot program.
The Pathways for Single Moms program employs a multi-pronged approach that fundamentally shifts the future of low-income families by providing access to a combination of educational and economic opportunities to equip single mothers with the tools they need to become economically self-sufficient.
Pathways for Single Moms is offered across Arizona in both urban and rural areas covering the central, northern and southern regions of the state. This innovative program is breaking generational cycles of poverty with multigenerational programming.
2.3 million dollars will be put toward direct services within the Pathways program that is currently operating statewide through WFSA’s pilot program partner, Dress for Success (DFS) and will conclude in June 2024.
This extension will have an immense impact on the 108 single moms currently enrolled in the program, as well as their children. These funds will support an additional 39 moms and their families through the duration of the program from inquiry to enrollment, through coaching and program completion and, lastly, with job placement.
“The magical thing about Pathways for Single Moms is that the program was born from both research and lived experience as an opportunity for folks who, with the right support, are poised to create generational transformation for their families,” stated Chloe Silva, WFSA’s Vice President of Community Impact. Silva adds that “by investing in the education for moms, the State of Arizona is building sustainability for families and communities that will extend well beyond the funding period.”
Upon graduating and obtaining a sustainable wage, the typical reduction in state support amounts to a minimum of $20,000 per graduate, per year as a direct savings for the state. The current plan allows WFSA to continue serving moms enrolled with additional moms in fast-track certificate programs across the state. This equates to a state savings of $4.2 million in one year. This empowers the moms to be self-sufficient and no longer dependent on systems, while contributing both economically with employment and within community.
For more information please contact:
Hannah Terpening, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona
Phone: 520-367-4487 / hterpening@womengiving
