the difference we make in the life of a child

THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD
I have a very different life than my mom had growing up. My mom has been telling me from
the time I was born that her life was not great and that she was instilling certain values into me.
There has never been a question that I am to make A/B honor roll and go to college. She even
made me start saving for college when I was 7 years old.
I kind of thought my mom was crazy, but it all began to make sense in the fall of 2012, when
our family structure changed. I could really see the differences that my mom had been talking
about, and it really affected me. I became angry, withdrawn, and just emotional. My grades
dropped a lot and I just wanted to stay in my room all the time.
I’m glad for the experience because it SHOWED me the difference. I am once again an
A/B honor roll student. I have a good school life, lots of friends, have played sports since
kindergarten, and hope to do something with medicine some day.
~ Chandler Morris, Child of an SPSF/BC Graduate
I am a little uncomfortable and embarrassed to give accolades about myself, but I want you to know that I represent many
wonderful single parents with changed lives because of SPSF/BC!
My story began while living in a halfway house. I made a promise to my baby that things would be different for him from the
way I grew up. Because of you, single parent scholarship staff, volunteers, and donors, I have changed my family tree and am so
blessed.
I stayed in high school and graduated from NWACC and the UA. I’ve been a teacher for 7 years now -- a job that requires a
college degree and certifications.
Every semester I wanted to quit. Instead, I received counseling, support, paper goods,
scholarships, extra resources, educational direction, and a caring “family”. I became a Family
and Consumer Science teacher because it taught me how to live. School and SPSF/BC taught
me things my parents didn’t.
I’ve been off of ALL government assistance programs since college graduation. I have a nice
car that I can depend on to take me anywhere I want to go. I’ve been able to take vacations with
my child that I could only dream of as a kid. I recently sold my house that I bought in 2003 and
purchased a nicer, bigger house in a better neighborhood. I am living the American dream.
So many of you give to this program with your time and resources. Chandler and I thank you
for supporting SPSF/BC, who became, and still remain, our family.
~ Nichole Mannion, SPSF/BC Graduate, and Chandler’s mother
Dear Friends of Single Parent Scholarship Fund
of Benton County,
We have had another great year at Single
Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton
County (SPSF/BC)! I am excited to be
Board Chair in 2014 as SPSF/BC is
turning 30 this year and with that comes
celebration!
For 30 years, we have been making a
difference in the lives of single parents
pursuing a better life through higher education,
which in turn has made a difference in the
lives of their families and their children, and has benefitted our
community as a whole. One of the great things about our program
is that our students leave with a great sense of “paying it forward.”
The recipients so often give back to us by volunteering to serve
on our Alumni Council, but they also give back to the community,
choosing to remain here and be part of the Benton County work
force and community. SPSF/BC’s students become real assets to this
community.
2013 saw some changes at SPSF/BC. We have a new director, Jack
Eaton, who comes to us with an impressive background working
with the nonprofit sector. Jack has only been here a few months
and has already accomplished big things for us. Also, in 2013, we
saw Sally Conduff return to the position of Academic & Career
Advisor—a job she was born to do. She is a real asset to SPSF/BC
as are all the staff, Kim Vest, Fran Brown, Aana Hazelip-Sears, and
Andrea Milton. Without our staff, we would not be where we are
today.
Be watching for some big changes in 2014. We are becoming a real
21st Century organization with increased technological capabilities
as well as an increased presence on the World Wide Web.
Last but not least, let me say, SPSF/BC could not exist without
the generosity of our donors, and for that, may I lead a cheer in
thanking all of you for making SPSF/BC the success it is in all its 30
wonderful years.
Best wishes and here is to a great 2014!
Mary M. White Schneider, Board Chair
Keith, Miller, Butler, Schneider & Pawlik, PLLC
Single Parent Scholarship
Fund of Benton County
Board of Directors
Mary M.W. Schneider, Chair
KMBS&P Law Firm
Judy Hammond, Vice Chair
Retired
Sean Moran, 2nd Vice Chair
Schreiber Foods
Brian Wood, Finance Chair
ARVEST Asset Management
Rebecca Riley, Treasurer
United Bank
Barb Smith, Secretary
Retired
Members at Large
Sarah Alderson
Walmart
Jerry Cavness
Retired
Michelle Cordell
NWACC
Jay H. Elliott
Infinity Compounding Solutions
Phil Gehlhausen
Mercy Medical Center
Hank Schepers
Colgate-Palmolive
Kristin Strickland
Outdoor Cap Company
2601 SW “D” Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 254-8550
(479) 254-8885 Fax
[email protected]
www.spsfbc.com
Spring 2014 Scholarship Recipients
145 Recipients
Average Age: 31
EDUCATION
76% have a high school diploma
24% have a GED
54% are the first in their family to go to college
CHILDREN AND CHILD SUPPORT
40%
57%
59%
15%
ABUSE ISSUES
67% of students were victims of abuse or violence
34% were abused spouses
19% were molested as a child
20% were abused as a child
17% have experienced violent crimes
6% are victims of date rape
13% of children experienced abuse
200 children
of children are under the age of 6
of children are 7-18 years old
of 108 families receive $0 child support
have problems receiving child support
$16.33 a day average child support
received per family
STUDENTS AND HUNGER
51% receive food stamps
27% report an insufficient amount of food
45% participate in free or reduced school lunches
20% have visited a food pantry
$9.27 average food stamps per family/per day
HEALTH AND INSURANCE
33% of parents do not have health insurance
14% of parents are being treated for depression
8%
55%
3%
34%
of children have private health insurance
of children are on ARKids First or Medicaid
of children do not have health insurance
no response
11% of children have a disability
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE/
BANKRUPTCY
77% receive the following government assistance:
HUD Housing, Food Stamps, Childcare and/
or Medicaid
17% filed bankruptcy
62% due to divorce and credit cards
38% due to medical bills
Meet Our New Staff
Andrea Milton joined our team as Development Coordinator in February. We are very excited to have
her. Andrea graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Recreation Administration and Event
Management. She has spent the last 4+ years with the Arthritis Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, serving in
various capacities including Special Events Director, Development Associate and Special Events Coordinator.
Outcomes 2013
2013: 31 Recipients Earned Credentials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12 earned associate degrees or certificates
and continue in school
2 earned Bachelor’s degrees and continue
in school
3 are December graduates looking for work
13 employed
1 unable to contact
4 graduated Magna Cum Laude
1 graduated Cum Laude
Employment
Average income of employed graduates is $32,800.
When beginning the program, average income for this
group was $16,304.
100% of working graduates are above the poverty
level
•
•
•
•
•
•
Employed in health, education, and business
Reduced or eliminated government assistance
Became more economically self-sufficient
Increased independence
Began paying taxes
One graduate purchased a home!
Spring Awards Program 2014
Held in January, Spring Awards included the following workshops:
- “Street Smarts” offering job search, application and interview tips;
- “Survival 101” offering tips from Alumni on time management, financial reality, a reality check on managing
multiple roles, and professional dress;
- “Stress Management” providing information about stress management, as well as identifying personal stressors
and ways of effective coping;
- “Professionalism and Thank You notes” highlighting the importance of presenting ones self professionally in
in any environment, and focusing strongly on well written and meaningful Thank You notes.
During the awards program, 139 students were recognized and 55 anticipated graduates were honored.
New Student Orientation 2014
Held in January, NSO provided an opportunity for new scholarship recipients to meet and begin building a
support network. Because of the weather in early 2014, the SPSF/BC office did something a little different.
Instead of having one big session with all the new students, the office held 4 smaller sessions at a later time. The
24 students received information on financial aid/student loans, financial management/budgeting, teamwork/
communications, counseling services, and SPSF/BC processes.
2013 donors
ALLIES
Rachel Adair
Dana Alton
Bryce & Jean Anderson
Timicka Bagley
Dolores Bartizal
Shirley Beatty
Bella Vista Homesteaders
Sharon Benton
Benton County Republican Women
Lanell Blackwell
Donald & Lee Blair
Annette Blake
Vickey Boozman
Randy & Julie Boysen
Barbara Bronstrup
Fran Brown
Mindy Brown
Steven W. Burch, CPA, PA
Mary Byers
Heather Campbell
Virginia Campbell
Tim & Julie Chval
Lisa Clardy
Bill & Mary Jane Cole
Scott Comiskey
Denise Cripps
Muriel Cross
Carissa Cummings
Alexander & Cynthia Curchin
Debbie’s Gourmet Toffee
George & Rebecca Delong
Robert & Karen Dobbs
Chelsea Draisey
Andra Drake
Jan Dunham
Wesley & Katy Eaton
Christopher & Laurel Elliott
Debra L. Ewing-Hight
Cindy Fields
Kathy Forbes
Adeline T. Fry
Ruth I. Gabriel
Jack & Beverly Gentry
Deana George
Cathy Deann Gladden
J.W. & Bonnie Grimes
Anne Hale
Elizabeth Hall
Jean Hardy
John & Kaye Harris
Tom & Molly Harris
Victor & Marlene Hartzler
Jim & Mona Harvey
Vanda Hawkins
Aana Hazelip-Sears
Ruthanne Hill
Alice Hines
Jackie Humbard
Julie Jarrett
David & Faye Jeffery
Paula Jenkins
Kathy Jennings
Mary Jane Jennings
Susan Johnston
Gladys M. Keenen
William & Vivian Keller
Jamie Kemp
Landscape Creations by S Jasan
Bill & Carolyn Lay
Larry & Nancy Long
Toni Luetjen
John & Harriet Mack
Corey & Roxann Maish
Carl Marugg
Richard & Karen McKelvey
Joel & Letha Meier
Louise Meier
Nathan & Ashlea Meier
Jeff Milford
Nestle USA
Lorraine Newberry
PEO Chapter BO/BY
PEO Chapter U
Sid & Charlie Phillippy
Barbara Phillips
Bette Pickrel
Christine Pinkley
Shannon Pointer
PrP Consulting
Deb Raiees-Dana
Clint & Dawn Richards
Karen Robbins
Martha Roberds
Alice Rogers
Rogers High School Class of 1951
Patricia Roycroft
Randi Ruiz
Robert & Phyllis Schatz
Pat Schram
Don & Joan Schroeder
Karen Schroll
Sylvia Scott
John & Jean Sears
Margaret Seba
David & Kathy Seitz
Doug & Helen Shepherd
Dorothea Sherwood
Mark & Maria Smith
Mark Stamps
Lynn Stanberry
Rhiannon Steele
Susan Stiers
Sandy Stout
Jeanie Strachan
Kristin Strickland
Bala Subramanian
Shirley Sutton
Katie Tennis
The Merl and Betty M Haga
Living Trust
Phyllis Thurman
Patty Tomlinson
Chelsea Tucker
Sam & Kay Voss
Lori Walker
Kassondra Weeks
Weichert Realtors/
The Griffin Company
Scott and Vicque White
Tim White
Susan Withrow
Orvil & Louise Wobig
Kimberly Woods
Terri Young
Christine Zini
BUILDERS
Barbara Allen
Don & Julie Amos
Stewart & Karen Baguley
Lee & Alice Balzer
Roger & Annmarie Beam
Bedford Camera & Video
Bell Office Supply
Bella Vista Methodist Quilters
Patricia Bird
Rick & Sheryl Brazile
Karen Cauldwell
Donald & Margaret Christianson
Bob & Kim Clinard
Kevin & Michelle Cordell
Allan & Jan Culmer
Pete & Bettye Jane Davey
DaySpring Cards
Michael & Mary Jo Denny
Diamond Foods
David & Gloria Dible
John & Emily Douglas
Jack & Sue Eaton
Evelyn Espe
John & Audra Farrell
Flynn Productions
Phil Gehlhausen
David & Nanci Green
Edward & Ruth Grosshuesch
Marcia Haines
Hal Smith Restaurant Group:
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Hank & Cheryl Harrison
Denny Higgins
Betty Hilton
Ray & Debbie Hobbs
Richard & Elizabeth Horne
Carol Howerton
Janet Hunter
Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant
Larry & Glena Johnson
Mark & Kelly Johnson
Charles & Evelyn Jorgenson
Sherry Kavanagh
Michael & Mary Koenigs
Jay & Katie Kraner
Darwin & Nancy Jo Krumrey
Mark & Linda Krysl
Carolyn Larimer
Learning RX
Megan Lewis
Lovely Purchase Chapter NSDAR
Lorrie Madden
Sue S. Martin
Dwain & Pam Mayer
Bob & Lana McCaslin
Stephanie Meehan
Pete & Marj Metzger
John P. & Mary Middleton
Bill Millager
Gayle Nelson
Charles & June Nesbitt
Dean & Jeanne Newberry
Northwest Technical Institute
Neva O’Brien
Jean O’Dell
Olive Garden
Karen Parker
Bob & Teri Pass
M. June Pelphrey
Ladonna Penner
Kenneth & Doris Perry
OJ & Charlie Pierson
Kitty Polich
Preceptor Alpha Upsilon
Presbyterian Women of Bella Vista
Norm & Shannon Prestage
Jane Prichard
Allyson Ransom
Agnes L. Reagan
Howard Records
Revlon/Almay
Rhoads Law Firm
Col. Lucile M. Roberts, Ret.
Richie Roberts
Bob & Cathy Ross
Tennie Russell
Doug & Sharon Schrantz
Charley & Frances Scott
Paul & Deborah Seal
Paul & Winnie Shanor
Dorothy Shepherd
Brina Smith
Roland & Bernice Smith
Richard & Barbara Sterup
Sherrice Stevens
John Swearingen
Thrasher & Chambers, Inc.
Bob Toney
Todd Toombs
Dick & Nancy Trammel
Don & Debbie Trammell
Truist
Anne Turner
United Lutheran Church Men’s
Club of Bella Vista
Jerry & Kim Vest
Wal-Mart Health & Wellness
Replenishment Team
Terry & Kathleen Warren
Robert & Suzanne Webb
Frances Williams
Brian & Amy Wood
William L. Yoos, O.D., P.A.
CHALLENGERS
4 State Seafood, Inc. DBA Crabby’s
Abundant Treasures
Altrusa of Rogers
Lois Bouton
John & Stephania Brown
Casey’s Marketing Company
Cherokee Nation Entertainment
Coty
Coupon Club of Northwest Arkansas
Bill & Aggie Danenhauer
Don & Arline Daut
James Farley
Mary Eva George
Georgia Harris
Jimmy & Sherry Harris
Hartz Mountain Corporation
Highlands United Methodist Women
Jimmy Holloway
Ray & Barbara Hostetler
Louise Wade Hunter
Asa & Susan Hutchinson
Howard & Elaine Kerr
Norman Koeller
Kruger Products
Erin Kwyzla
Albert & Maxine McClain
Richard & Carol Miles
Pat Reid
Republican Women of Bentonville
Rogers Early Risers Rotary Club
Steve & Sally Ross
Jan Smith
Tom & Carrie Smith
The Wine Group
Dawn Thompson
Thrivent Financial
Kai & Wendy Togami
Jim & Susan von Gremp
Ron & Debbie Wann
Manny & Debra Windham
Larry & Eleanor Winter
MENTORS
Advantage Sales and Marketing
Altrusa of Bentonville/Bella Vista
Howard & Kay Anderson
Clarence Archer
Bank of the Ozarks
Bradshaw International
Brian Gibson Photography
Carroll Electric Cooperative Corp.
Club Marketing Services
Colliers International
Cooper Communities, Inc.
Jay & Arwen Elliott
Leroy & Barbara Fleeman
Gibson Overseas Inc
John & Vicki Halley
Highlands United Methodist Men
Johnelle Hunt
Hutchinson Group, LLC
Illinois Tool Works Foundation
Keith, Miller, Butler, Schneider,
& Pawlik Law Firm
Kruger Products
Laureate Alpha Nu of Beta Sigma Phi
Burnis Leavens
Max & Charlene McGaugh
NWA Sales & Marketing
Oftedahl’s Fine Portraits
Olivet
Dr. Charles & Carey Pollard
Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista
Regions Bank
Felicia Saenz
Danny & Mary Schneider
James & Joanne Spainhower
Spectrum Brands
Brent & Shelle Summers
Sun Products Corporation
Peggy Swain Stein
SWEPCO
Shawn & Christina Taylor
Tyson Foods
United Lutheran Church Women
of Bella Vista
United Way of Gentry
Vi-Jon
John Wolfe
John & Lanita Wright
PARTNERS
AARP Chapter 109 of Bella Vista
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Bank of Oklahoma
Boyce Billingsley
Bob & Marilyn Bogle
David & Tina Bogle
Linda Allen Brown
Steve & Marilyn Brown
Jerry & Valerie Cavness
Charlotte & Delbert Allen
Charitable & Scholarship Trust
Clifton Eoff Photography
Coldwell Banker Harris
McHaney & Faucette
Wayne & Sally Conduff
Gary & Mary Crow
Mary Dryden
First United Methodist Church Men of BV
Jeannie Fleeman
John & Elaine Foss
Frost, LLP
Goodmark - USA
Bill & Sharon Hall
John & Judy Hammond
Meza Harris
Van Haywood
Helping Hands, Inc.
Ruth Ireland
JB Hunt Employees
La-Z-Boy Arkansas
LeDee Foundation
David Schumacher & DeLinda Mace
Tom & Becky McCoy
Charlotte Allen
Pat Barron
Charles Baskett
Solveig Berry
Leonard & Mary Nell Brown
Bob Breaux
Jack Cavness
Carmen Champaign
Reagan Christians
Bob & Bonnie Crow
Vickie Louise Crow
Don Dobbe
Barb Ebker
Jewel Fisher
Sean & Jenni Moran
Norm the Tire Man
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
PEO Chapter CX
Russ & Kristin Potter
Professional Business Systems
Joey & Annie Proietti
PSAV Presentation Services
Reynolds Consumer Products
Rogers Rotary Club
Jim & Hazel Russell
David & Deb Short
Signature Bank of Arkansas
Siloam Springs Rotary Club
Wade & Barb Smith
Snyder’s-Lance
Sun Products
Jeffrey & Ellen Tate
The Concerned Group
Unilever
United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista
United Way of Central Maryland
VOC, LP
Jason & Christie Vogel
Dolores White
Mike & Marjorie Whitmore
WIN of Northwest Arkansas
Colgate-Palmolive
Christine Lebert
Eric & Lisa Low
McCormick & Company
Outdoor Cap Company, Inc.
Schreiber Foods
GUARDIANS
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
Carl & Alleen McKinney Charitable Trust
CornerStone Healthcare, Inc.
Endeavor Foundation
Flossie Foundation
Greenwood Gearhart Inc.
Don & Jo Soderquist
United Way of Northwest Arkansas
Mrs. Willard Walker
Walmart Foundation
Walton Family Foundation
FACILITATORS
Rod & Arlene Alford
Arkansas Department
of Higher Education
ARVEST
Coca-Cola North America
MEMORIALS FOR 2013
Bill Fleeman
Homer & Lillian Fleeman
Bill Fugitt
Doyle L. Guthrie
Russell Haugen
Grant Haws
David Herr
Grace Hill
John Holsey
Lou Johansen
Neil Leavens
Jack & Anne Lebert
Marjorie Marugg-Wolfe
George McClary
Donation Categories:
Allies:
$20 - $99
Builders:
$100 - $249
Challengers: $250 - $499
Mentors:
$500 - $999
Partners:
$1,000 - $4,999
Facilitators: $5,000 - $9,999
Guardians: $10,000 +
John & Virginia Mocivnik
Rudy Moore Jr.
Barbara Nelson
Rita Nesselhauf
Ralph K. Porch
Mary Sue Reagan
Pat Reid
Stephanie Row
Robert Schatz
Edward “Chuck” Sernett
John & Evie Tate
Donald E. White
Francis & Pauline Wilson
Jo Wright
All donations in memory of loved ones are welcome.
Memorial donations of $500 or more are recognized in the memorial brochure.
SAVE THE DATE
2014 Corporate Luncheon
John Q. Hammons Convention Center, Rogers
May 20, 2014 11:30 am -1:00 pm
Featured speaker Bill Simon, CEO and President of Walmart U.S.
Contact Andrea at 479-254-8550 or [email protected]
for sponsorship opportunities and tickets.