A Chicago nonprofit has partnered with a local college to give young mothers an opportunity to pursue a college degree. The organization called New Moms is working with the City Colleges of Chicago on a pilot program aimed at giving young moms a chance to further their education.
The program is being funded by the ECMC Foundation and the state of Illinois and will help 25 moms with a monthly stipend of $500 plus support services like child care and one-on-one coaching.
New Moms director Jenna Hammond says that only 8% of single mothers in Illinois get their associate degree within six years of graduating high school and their group aims to improve that number. Getting a degree "is significant for our young moms," says Hammond. She also says it increases their job opportunities, helps them achieve economic stability, and it can "positively impact their long-term family well-being,"
Source: FOX News