Meet Alisha! She is our youngest parent in our program. We recently sat down to interview Alisha to see how Sparc Hope was helping and to dig a little deeper into who she is outside of Sparc Hope.
When did you start with SPARC Hope?
I started my journey with SPARC Hope in the fall of 2018.
What are your career goals?
I plan to be a Licensed Psychologist working with youth and adults.
What did you find was the most difficult part of being a single mom prior to becoming a part of SPARC Hope?
Having and finding support was the most difficult, being a single mom. Just a phone call, text, or just a helping hand would make a big difference to a struggling single mom that’s juggling school, work, and trying to raise a god-fearing child.
What SPARC Hope resources have helped you the most?
The pantry visits and weekly check-ins have helped me the most. Pantry visits help me to have access to healthy foods to cook meals for me and my daughter. The weekly check-ins help me realize every week. I have someone to look forward to talk to about my success, failure, goals, and solutions.
How has being a part of SPARC Hope impacted your children?
I know since I have been a part of SPARC Hope my daughter has been more excited to visit and she knows we will always have resources and supplies.
How has SPARC Hope impacted your life the most?
SPARC Hope has impacted my life tremendously. I have less worry and less stress about food and toiletries. I have access to numerous resources, and I have several people in my counter that I know will support me
For someone who is just learning about SPARC Hope and their mission, what is the number one thing you would tell them about the organization?
I would tell them that SPARC Hope is a blessing.
What are some of her goals?
One of my main goals is to build a physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally stable life for me and my daughter.
Where does she hope to see herself in 5, 10 years?
In 5 years, I hope to see myself graduating from my 4-year university,
In 10 years, I hope to see myself in stable career job and living in my own house.
When will she get her associate’s degree?
I planned on receiving my associate degree year 2021.
What are some other things we have helped her accomplish while being with us?
SPARC Hope has helped me accomplish to stay focus in school and continue to go on with my life. Before SPARC Hope I felt like I had no purpose in life and no hope to accomplish anything.
Her journey with scholar house?
My Journey with Family Scholar house has been long, but I am finally close to receiving an apartment with them.
How well is she doing in school/ how many credits etc.
School is a hard journey with a baby, school, work, and little support. I am sticking in there with the motivation from SPARC Hope, my mentor, and my close friends that I have. I have taken 10 credit hours; I’ve changed my major once from Nursing to Psychology. It’s going to take longer but I’m hoping to stick to full time and bring my GPA up.
Info on daughter… what does she like, what activities is she involved in?
My daughter likes dancing, coloring, and reading books.
She likes doing arts and crafts together. She likes going on nature walks. She likes singing and doing karaoke.
Favorite motivation quotes?
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
― Maya Angelou