Discover how Hudson County Community College (HCCC) empowers student parents with a $50,000 grant from the Aspen Institute’s Ascend Parent Advisors, enhancing educational and career opportunities.
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- HCCC is among six U.S. institutions awarded the Aspen Institute’s Ascend Parent Advisors’ $50,000 grant, chosen from 144 proposals.
- The initiative focuses on removing barriers and providing resources for student parents to succeed in postsecondary education and workforce development.
- A key aspect of the project is the partnership with the Jersey City Housing Authority to offer holistic support services, addressing often-overlooked challenges like transportation and housing.
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HCCC’s $50,000 Grant from Aspen Institute
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has been awarded a significant grant of $50,000 from the Aspen Institute’s Ascend Parent Advisors. This award places HCCC among an elite group of six institutions in the United States to receive this funding, selected from a pool of 144 proposals totaling over $6.5 million in requests. These proposals came from various educational and community organizations across the nation.
The Parent-Powered Solutions Fund
This fund, supported by the Aspen Institute, is the first of its kind to be led by student-parents. It’s part of a participatory grantmaking model, designed and led by Ascend Parent Advisors, and supported by Imaginable Futures. The fund aims to enhance postsecondary success among student parents through innovative solutions, practices, and initiatives. It offers financial resources to support student parents in completing postsecondary programs including workforce development, career and technical education, and baccalaureate degree programs.
HCCC’s Commitment and Initiative
Dr. Christopher Reber, President of HCCC, emphasized the college’s dedication to addressing the holistic needs of student parents, recognizing their unique and complex challenges. The grant will be used to empower student parents at HCCC, providing them with transformational opportunities and outcomes. The college plans to create a comprehensive support system in collaboration with the Jersey City Housing Authority (JCHA). This system aims to facilitate postsecondary credential attainment, degree pathway placement, and gainful employment for student parents.
Impact on Student Parents
The initiative aims to remove barriers to success for student parents, providing resources to help them complete postsecondary programs and acquire valuable workforce skills. This includes offering postsecondary training programs, travel stipends, childcare assistance, tuition support, and increased engagement opportunities.
Previous Collaboration with Aspen Institute
HCCC’s relationship with the Aspen Institute is not new. The college was previously a Workforce Leadership Academy partner of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program and has participated in other Aspen-led initiatives. This ongoing collaboration underscores HCCC’s commitment to enhancing educational and workforce opportunities for its students.
The $50,000 Parent-Powered Solutions Fund grant awarded to Hudson County Community College by the Aspen Institute’s Ascend Parent Advisors marks a significant achievement. It reflects the college’s commitment to supporting student parents and enhancing their educational and career prospects. This grant provides financial assistance and cements HCCC’s role as a leader in creating innovative solutions for student parents, impacting their lives and the broader community.
