Personified

Foundation sparks hope for single parents

Tyler B. Clark Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA Executive Director
Tyler B. Clark Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA Executive Director

Tyler B. Clark

Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA

Spark of Hope

Who: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas

What: Dinner, Spark of Hope Awards, student and guest speakers

When: Reception 6 p.m., dinner and program 7 p.m. June 21

Where: Fayetteville Town Center

Information: (479) 935-4888 or [email protected]

Executive Director

Tell us about your organization:

Mission: Creating better, brighter futures for single parent families by offering encouragement and access to higher education.

Services provided: SPSF NWA offers direct financial assistance in the form of scholarships each academic semester (spring, summer and fall). Full-time students (taking 12 or more credit hours) receive $2,000 per semester while part-time students (taking six or more credit hours) receive $1,000.

In addition to direct financial assistance, we partner with other community groups to provide opportunities for personal growth and family recreation that our students would not be able to afford.

Lastly, we assist our scholarship recipients with career readiness training.

Service area: Carroll, Madison and Washington counties

Average number of people served annually: 130 unduplicated scholarship recipients in 2017

How is your organization's mission unique? Unlike traditional scholarships, Single Parent Scholarships through SPSF NWA are not restricted to books or tuition but can be used for general living expenses such as child care, gasoline, rent, utilities, car insurance or even groceries. Additionally, our staff and volunteers develop a relationship with the students that allows guidance to help ensure their success.

Why do you work for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it? I have spent my entire career in nonprofit management -- I cannot imagine doing anything else. For me, ensuring that others are successful motivates me to get up and go to work every day. For years I have watched as SPSF NWA changes lives. I consider myself lucky to be a part of the mission.

What part of your job fills the most of your time? I have worked for amazing organizations like CCOA, The Jones Center and Community Clinic -- each one larger than the last. However, I love being at the helm of a small nonprofit where every day I get to touch a different piece of the organization -- accounting, human resources, marketing, programming and fundraising.

What have you learned on the job that you didn't expect? The sheer will and tenacity of a single parent -- the sacrifices our recipient families make to ensure that they create a better life and a better future.

What challenges face your organization? Marketing and public relations is always a challenge for a nonprofit organization. It is a crowded field and there are hundreds of events each year -- each with their own following. SPSF NWA want to help more single parent families, therefore we need more exposure of our programs and services and additional funds to support those families.

Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? Yes, we are accepting applications to our Community Leadership Council. CLC members participate in applicant interviews, support the organization's fundraising activities, contribute skills and resources for SPSF NWA events and activities, serve as honorary hosts at special events and promote SPSF NWA to others who might be interested in supporting our organization.

What upcoming fundraisers and/or other events does your organization have planned? Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas' signature event, the 2018 Spark of Hope, will be held June 21 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Each year, more than 450 SPSF NWA supporters and corporate sponsors attend this dinner and awards ceremony to honor SPSF NWA's supporters and students. At the event the prestigious Spark of Hope awards are presented to an individual, community partner, corporate sponsor, and SPSF NWA Alumnus.

The evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m. with the dinner and program at 7 p.m.

This year will feature a powerful testimony by featured speaker, author and Arkansas native Cara Brookins. Brookins, a single mother who survived two abusive marriages, built her home (and rebuilt her family) from the ground up, relying solely on the help of her four children and YouTube tutorials.

For ticket information, contact Coy Evans at [email protected] or (479) 935-4888.

-- Carin Schoppmeyer

[email protected]

NAN Profiles on 06/17/2018

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