Jeremiah Women

Single mothers willing to diligently work toward a more stable life find a home at Jeremiah Program, where they can build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Women entering Jeremiah Program earn an average of $8.39 an hour, typically have high levels of debt, poor credit ratings, and rely on public assistance. They live in unstable, highly chaotic housing situations and face the challenges of raising young children in poverty.

What sets the Jeremiah woman apart from others in the same situation is her willingness to pursue a different reality for herself and her family. She may come to the program with a history of challenges behind her, but she is ready to build a new future. She actively seizes the opportunity to turn despair into hope and dreams into reality, ready to become powerfully self-reliant.

These women are remarkable success stories. Within a few short years, they complete the program having successfully achieved their education goals, with full-time living-wage careers and the life skills necessary to be self-reliant and ultimately successful for themselves and their children.

Program Success

• Women entering Jeremiah Program earn an average of $8.39 an hour. When they graduate within 2.5 years, they have career-track employment and earn a livable wage of $15-16 an hour.
• Many have relied on public assistance, but once they complete Jeremiah Program, they begin reducing their use of public assistance.
• Women enter the program with a high school diploma or GED, and graduate with at least an Associate’s degree; 55% of the graduates obtain a four-year degree, and 21% continue their education after Jeremiah.
• Where they once lived in unstable housing situations, Jeremiah graduates can afford safe housing and 30% are homeowners.
• Before Jeremiah Program, women have high levels of debt and poor credit ratings. Through the program, they learn to reduce and manage debt and practice sound financial principals.
• 90% of graduates maintain consistent employment, and 76% have received a raise or promotion other positions with their employer.
• Of the program’s alumnae who shared information about their children, 95% report the children are performing at or above grade level.

Profile: Shandrell, 2011 Jeremiah Program Graduate

“I remember playing outside miles and miles away from home in the 1^st and 2^nd grades, without any supervision!” she says with a wispy laugh. “But, really, there was no structure back then, there were no rules…”

Shandrell Duncan changes her tone as she delves into her early beginnings, recalling a rocky childhood punctuated by frequent moves, parental abandonment and family upheavals. Born into an environment riddled with addictions and compulsion, it was evident from the start that Shandrell’s parents were not equipped to properly raise her and her two brothers. “My parents were battling addictions and addictions are … hard to overcome,” she acknowledges.  Inevitably, the Duncan brood became wards of the state – children whose guardianship is determined by a judge who then appoints a government agency to oversee the ward of the state’s affairs. “Childhood was challenging for the simple fact that we would be surrounded by families that were so close-knit,” she says. “I would get jealous that they had their parents and I didn’t have mine.”

At the age of 12, Shandrell’s grandmother intervened and ultimately gained custody of Shandrell and her brothers.  “I was blessed that she stepped in when she did,” she says, her dark eyes lighting up.  Feeling the effects of zigzagging from foster home to foster home, her education really took a hit. “Until Grandma came along, I missed a lot of school and I struggled because of it,” she reveals. “I was placed in special education classes for awhile.” Her grandma sourced out a couple of academic tutors to get the kids up-to-speed from where they fell behind.  Basketball, Shandrell discovered, would be her outlet that would get her through school and, eventually, through college at Concordia University.

With her grade school years behind her, Shandrell became a force to be reckoned with at Concordia: her GPA soared, she was respected by her peers and teachers, and held the title as one of the star basketball players. Things appeared to be moving along seamlessly for her. And they were – until she found herself pregnant. Just months before discovering this, Shandrell had overheard the vice president of Concordia shed light on “something called the Jeremiah Program” to a curious student. Little did she know that in due time, she would be seeking out that very same program. “It was a challenge to find balance in raising my daughter Vionne, working and going to school,” she recounts. “And so I moved into the St. Paul campus in March of 2010. It’s been an amazing experience ever since.”

Shandrell was drawn to Jeremiah for its convenience factor. With school down the street and an onsite daycare, “it’s just made things easier…especially in the CDC where my baby is getting the support, love and development she needs from the staff.” Shandrell praises the program for giving her focus on the things that matter. “I came here to do what was required,” she nods. “I’m proud to say that in just a year, I’m getting my Bachelor’s in Design and am graduating from the Jeremiah Program itself.”

Although quick to crediting Jeremiah for her successes, Shandrell is firm when she says the program isn’t just a free pass – women need to take a serious approach when considering admission. “You have to have your head on straight when you enter the program,” she advises. “You’re entering the program to succeed and be successful; not just for you, but also for your child ‘cause they’re gonna be succeeding, too.”

Now with an AA and a BA under her belt, Shandrell has grown by leaps and bounds since her upbringing. No longer is she bound by limitations or restrictions; these days, the only limit she foresees is the sky. “I never thought I would be a college graduate,” she admits. “I’ve broken the ‘single mom’ stereotype and it just goes to show that you gotta be patient and have faith that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”

A Day in the Life: Aida

Aida is cheerful and upbeat. She’s got big plans for herself and her daughter Sarah, and she’s well on her way to fulfilling them. As a full-time student at Minneapolis Community & Technical College, she has embarked on a two-year program to earn her RN degree, and her goal is to be either an emergency room or birth center nurse. While she’s in school, she works nearly 30 hours a week as a unit supervisor for Children’s Hospital. She’s grateful for the opportunity to do both at the same time.

“Jeremiah is a fabulous program because it gives me the opportunity to be a full-time student. That’s important because I want to focus on securing a future for me and my daughter. This is the fastest way to do that, rather than having a full-time job and just taking one class here and there.”

Life moves at a fast pace for Aida these days. Four days a week she’s up at 5:00 a.m., getting ready for the busy day ahead, taking her daughter to the children’s center next door, and working at the hospital until 3:00 or 3:30. “Then I pick Sarah up and spend a couple hours with her until my dad comes for her at 5:30 so I can go to class for the evening.” She’s able to spend all day Friday and the weekend with her daughter, and relishes the time together.

When Aida became a single mom and was looking for ways to build the best life for herself and her daughter, she learned about Jeremiah Program from her brother, who volunteers with the organization. Being part of Jeremiah has definitely changed her outlook on life, parenting and plans for the future.

She loves the Life Skills component of the program. “It’s the highlight of my week!” she says. “Last night we had meditation, and it was fabulous.” She treasures the relationships she’s built with the other women in the program. “We’re all pretty new, and we get along great. They’re all amazing women and mothers, and we joke so much. We have fabulous instructors, and we cover a variety of topics and issues, really helpful things.”

In the beginning, the empowerment piece was a big eye-opener for her. “Because it teaches you to put yourself and your child first,” she says. “How to deal with people – or not deal with people that you don’t want in your life. It keeps you empowered and optimistic if you apply some of those things.” Aida is clearly applying those principles to building a vibrant, successful life for herself and her daughter.

Celebrations

For Jeremiah families, graduation marks the ultimate achievement while in residence, but we believe it is important to celebrate their successes throughout their journey:

• SHERO, an event held twice annually, recognizes women nominated by their peers and coaches for their progress in the program and their involvement in the campus community.
• At the Annual Gala, the Bullfrog Bash, we celebrate the success of our families, and share their stories with Jeremiah supporters.
• Quarterly, women are recognized for their personal achievement in the areas of academic excellence, community leadership and program excellence
• Graduation ceremonies, held in June and December, commemorate success in education as Jeremiah Program women obtain degrees and begin the next phase of their journeys.