Single Mom Scholars
Life Advancement Programs
ICS programs link together to offer more than short-term help; we work with clients to build long-range solutions that promote sustainability.
A huge congratulations to our June 2026 Single Mom Scholars graduates! Learn more about their inspiring journeys HERE.
Do you have questions about Single Mom Scholars?
Contact: Rachel Bradley (520) 314-3271 singlemomscholarsinfo@icstucson.org.
Program Overview
Single Mom Scholars (SMS) at Interfaith Community Services uses a two-generation approach to help break the cycle of poverty. Through wrap-around support and financial assistance, SMS empowers low-income single mothers to earn a college degree while supporting their children’s academic success, leadership development, and social capital.
Participants’ children benefit through community engagement, educational enrichment, and leadership opportunities, helping strengthen family stability and long-term outcomes.
Program Requirements
To qualify for the SMS program, you must:
- Reside in Pima County
- Have at least one child who is 11 years old or younger
- Be legally single and not living with a partner
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university working on an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, with limited certificates being accepted. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
- Have completed at least one semester of college
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours a semester or 18 credits per year
- Have an adjusted gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines
- Once enrolled in the program, attend once-a-month scholar community meetings on Saturday (childcare provided)
Breaking the Cycle of Generational Poverty
Single mothers and their children face disproportionate rates of economic hardship. National data show that children in single-parent households are more likely to experience poverty than those in two-parent households. In Arizona, many low-income single mothers are concentrated in low-wage work with limited access to postsecondary education and career pathways, as documented by the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona.
Historically, poverty reduction efforts have often focused on either parents or children separately. Today, there is growing recognition of two-generation (2Gen) approaches that support both together to improve long-term family stability and economic mobility.
How We Help
As part of Interfaith Community Services’ Life Advancement programs, Single Mom Scholars supports low-income single mothers in completing college by providing financial assistance, practical services, and a peer support network. This two-generation model strengthens workforce readiness, improves family stability, and expands opportunities for both mothers and their children.
Facilitating Scholar Success
Single mothers often face the significant challenge of balancing school, work, and family responsibilities. These competing demands can create barriers to academic persistence and degree completion.
To support long-term success, the program provides a range of benefits and resources for both scholars and their children, including:
For Scholars
- Peer Support and Community Building
- Financial Assistance in the form of a Monthly Stipend
- Access to Financial Literacy Education courses
- Access to a Life Coach
For Children
- Youth Enrichment Stipends (YES) for sports, camps, daycare, and other developmental opportunities
- Child-inclusive monthly meetings with planned youth activities
- Opportunity for children to participate in the ICS Holiday Gifts of Love program and receive holiday gifts
Proven Results
To date, SMS has graduated over 100 women earning degrees in diverse career fields, with an average starting salary of $50,000. A strong and resilient economy requires a prepared workforce, stable communities, and thriving families.
Investing in these women and their children supports long-term, sustainable change that benefits our community. If you would like to donate to support the SMS program, please contact Kim Castro at kcastro@icstucson.org or call 520-526-9293
SMS Program in the News:
The Single Mom Scholars program is made possible by the generous support of the Marshall Foundation, the John and Carolyn Davis Foundation, Linda Wurzelbacher, Peggy Goulding, Thomas and Susan Silverio, and many other partner organizations and individual donors.
