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We are a nonprofit organization providing direct support and national advocacy & research for student parents in college 💜
One of our FamilyU Fellows, Heather, took the stage at this spring’s commencement and put our FamilyU initiative right in the spotlight, sharing how their work is helping colleges better recognize and support student parents on campus.
And honestly? That’s what this is about — real stories and real change happening inside institutions that choose to show up differently. If your college is serious about supporting student parents in a deeper way, take this as your sign: applications for the FamilyU Cohort are OPEN and the deadline has been extended to Tuesday, June 30.
Let’s build campuses that actually reflect who students are. Apply now through the link in bio 🔗.
06/09/2026
Our Scholars are heading into a new season, and we’re actively recruiting mentors across ALL 3 sites to walk alongside them through college, life, and everything in between.
And right now, we’ve got a specific need we’re hoping to fill ASAP — two fathers joining our incoming DC cohort are in need of male mentors. Someone who can show up, listen, share, and just be that steady presence.
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could support a student parent in a real way,” this is it. This is that moment. Get in touch with us and learn more through the link in bio 🔗!
At our latest Community Conversation with Jeremiah Program, Nicole Lynn Lewis shared something unexpected: when she submitted the final manuscript of her new book, she had no idea how much the country would change in the months ahead.
Now, readers are turning to it as they navigate big questions about family economic security, access to higher education, and what it takes to create real opportunities for parents and children.
One of Nicole’s favorite parts? Meeting readers who have gone on the journey with her and discovering what ideas, questions, and solutions they carry forward after turning the last page.
That’s what these conversations are all about — just coming together to ask hard questions, share experiences, and imagine what’s possible.
Watch this clip from our May 4 Community Conversation and register for the rest of the tour and don’t miss future events through the link in our bio! 🔗
At this year's D.C. Scholar Program Graduation Banquet, Scholar of the Year Mary Grace "Gracie" Armstrong shared a perspective that captures why supporting student parents matters.
"So often I hear 'despite being a mom' — as if our children are barriers standing in the way of our success. But for me, it has never been despite my daughter. It has always been because of her."
As we celebrate graduates across the country, we're also thinking about the student parents who are still working toward that same moment.
Generation Hope is approaching a significant milestone: the 300th college degree earned by a Scholar. Every degree represents more than an academic achievement. It reflects the impact of a community that helped close financial gaps, provided mentorship, offered encouragement, and ensured families had the support they needed to continue their education.
Today, we're inviting our community to help the next student parent reach graduation.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling its impact. Join us in ensuring student parents have the support they need all the way to the finish line – https://bit.ly/3Q4xu3k.
06/03/2026
We've extended the application deadline for the 2026 FamilyU Cohort to June 30!
Across the country, colleges and universities are working to better support student parents and their families. Through the FamilyU Cohort, institutions come together to learn, collaborate, and implement strategies that help student parents stay enrolled, complete their degrees, and create brighter futures for their families.
If your institution is looking to strengthen support for student parents, this is an opportunity to join a network of peers committed to advancing family-inclusive policies, practices, and systems on campus.
The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, June 30, giving interested institutions additional time to apply and become part of the next cohort.
We look forward to welcoming the next group of colleges and universities dedicated to making higher education work better for student parent families.
Apply today 🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DPM7GMQ
06/02/2026
Last week, ‘Tiny Sparks’ brought together supporters, partners, advocates, and community members for an inspiring evening dedicated to student parents and their families.
Throughout the event, attendees heard firsthand stories about the realities of balancing college and parenting, and why investing in student parents creates lasting impact for entire families.
One of the evening's most memorable moments came from Generation Hope scholar alum Najah Mills, who shared her journey to earning a college degree while raising four children. Her reflection that student parents "are not an anomaly" served as a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when families have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they deserve!
We were honored to hear from Generation Hope Founder & CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis and award-winning broadcast journalist and NBC4 weekday news anchor Shawn Yancy, who reunited for a meaningful conversation after both being recognized as Washingtonians of the Year in 2023.
To everyone who joined us, shared space with us, and invested in the future of student parents: thank you! The conversations sparked that evening will continue creating opportunities for families long after the event ended…
Generation Hope Scholars are preparing for graduation after years of balancing coursework, parenting, work, and financial challenges.
For many student parents, like our DC Scholar, Abby Bediako, the final barrier to earning their degree is not ability — it’s an unexpected expense at the very end of their journey.
Support from this community helps student parents stay on track to graduation and long-term economic mobility for their families.
Thanks to a matching gift from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, every donation made will be doubled to help more student parents reach the finish line. Donate today -- https://bit.ly/3Q4xu3k
05/28/2026
As Generation Hope prepares to celebrate another graduation season, we’re reflecting on the collective impact that continues to move student parent families closer to their goals.
Because of this community, Generation Hope has distributed more than $2.1 million in tuition assistance directly to student parents, including more than $250,000 already distributed in FY26 alone. This support helps reduce the financial barriers that too often interrupt a student parent’s path to degree completion.
This spring, that support is helping bring Generation Hope closer to a meaningful milestone: 300 degrees earned by Scholars in our program.
Behind every degree is persistence, sacrifice, and determination. Behind every milestone is a community choosing to invest in student parents and their futures.
Thank you to everyone helping make this work possible. You are part of the story in our never-ending, impactful journey.
05/27/2026
We’re just one day away from the Tiny Sparks Celebration, an evening bringing together community members, advocates, supporters, and student parent families to celebrate ‘Student Parent: The Fight for Families, the Cost of Poverty, and the Power of College’ by our Founder & CEO, Nicole Lynn Lewis.
The evening will create space for reflection, conversation, and connection around the lived experiences and systems shaping student parent success today. Guests joining us in Washington, D.C. can expect an opportunity to connect with the Generation Hope community ahead of a special program and celebration beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.
For those unable to attend in person, the program will also be streamed live via Instagram () and YouTube (supportgenhope) so supporters across the country can still be part of this moment!
There’s still time to RSVP — we look forward to celebrating with you! https://bit.ly/4nl5NzF
05/26/2026
What does it look like to create real support for student parents and their families?
This month’s Generation Hope newsletter explores that question through moments of celebration, honest conversation, and community care. You will step inside an upcoming gathering honoring the stories behind ‘Student Parent’ by Nicole Lynn Lewis, revisit a national discussion on the future of higher education, and hear reflections on the emotional realities student parents often carry while balancing school, work, caregiving, and daily life.
It’s also a reminder that support extends beyond the classroom. Sometimes it looks like creating space for rest, connection, visibility, and community. Sometimes it looks like institutions choosing to build systems with families in mind.
If you want a deeper look into the stories, people, and conversations shaping this movement, subscribe to our newsletter today 🔗 https://mailchi.mp/generationhope/ghnewslettersignup
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