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"Often, the answer is 'no,' or that things can be done differently—more efficiently, more inclusively. I want us to look at all of our practices, our procedures, our policies with fresh eyes" Our CEO and Founder, Nicole Lynn Lewis, recently shared with Howard Community College what her son taught her during his first week of Kindergarten. Generation Hope’s Five-Year Strategic Path is rooted in this very mindset. By 2029, together we will impact 3 million parenting students by asking the tough questions and challenging the status quo. You can transform the DNA of Higher Education, one question at a time. So, when someone says, "We have to do it this way," we urge YOU to ask, "Why, why can’t we do it differently?"

Shawnee Callier on mentoring with Generation Hope

Becoming a mentor with Generation Hope isn’t just about guiding someone — it’s about making a powerful difference in their life and your own! Just like Shawnee Callier, as a mentor, you have the opportunity to provide support, share valuable experiences and help shape the future of a #StudentParent striving for success. Join our mentoring program today and contribute to a community that believes in the power of connection and support ✨ https://www.generationhope.org/mentor. . Image description: A video of Shawnee Callier, a professor at GWU, talking about how she became a mentor with Generation Hope and its impact in her life over the years. #GenerationHope #MentorshipMatters #MakeADifference

We recently celebrated the conclusion of our 2022-2024 #FamilyU Cohort! 7 higher ed institutions showcased the accomplishments they have achieved in support of #StudentParents and families the past 2 years. Thank you to everyone who made this Cohort a success! A huge shoutout to these amazing institutions and Student Fellows who made this happen! Virginia State University San Diego Mesa College Santa Fe Community College (NM) Norfolk State University Madison College Austin Community College District Houston Community College District

On her graduation day, A’ja said, “Generation Hope has made a major impact in this milestone of mine. My Mentor, Keisha, has supported me every step of the way. They have been able to help me find a house, and I just became a homeowner! They have been amazing and I don’t know where I would have been without them.” Because of you, Generation Hope provides holistic support so whole families can thrive in every way. Help us break down barriers and champion student parent success and raise $75,000 by June 30. Donate now and make a difference today: https://generationhope.networkforgood.com/projects/112110-generation-hope . . . Video description: Generation Hope Mentor, Keisha Pierce, sharing her positive experience with Generation Hope and expressing her excitement for her Scholar, A’ja Ross, who has graduated. Captions on screen. #StudentParentSuccess #EquityInEducation #GiveBack #Classof2024

Congratulations to our Scholar A’ja! 🎉 A’ja now stands among fellow Generation Hope Scholar graduates, who have collectively earned 200 degrees! Your giving removed barriers to make these incredible achievements possible. We need your help today to reach our crucial goal of raising $75,000 this season to meet the needs of our new Scholars. Donate now and make a difference today: https://generationhope.networkforgood.com/projects/112110-generation-hope . . . Video description: Generation Hope Scholar, A’ja Ross at her graduation from The University of Maryland Global Campus. Captions on screen. #StudentParentSuccess #EquityInEducation #GiveBack #Classof2024

Thank you, volunteers! 👏💜 Our Director of DC Programming, Alexandra Fields, gives a warm thank you to everyone who gets involved to make a difference for our #StudentParent Scholars and their kiddos. National Volunteer Month is coming to an end, but we’re grateful to our amazing volunteers all year round! Want to join us? Learn about our virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities: https://www.generationhope.org/volunteer . . . Video description: Director of DC Programming Alexandra Fields thanks Generation Hope’s volunteers. Captions on screen. #NationalVolunteerMonth #VolunteerOpportunities #VolunteerNewOrleans #VolunteerNOLA #NOLAVolunteer #VolunteerDMV

We can’t stop thinking about #GenHOPE24! Every moment was filled with joy, learning, community, inspiration, and taking action for parenting students and families. Thank you to the 300+ student parent champions who joined us in New Orleans! #StudentParents #StudentParentSuccess

We are honored to receive a Gold Award in the 3rd Annual Anthem Awards, recognizing our work to support #StudentParentSuccess! 🌟 Thank you to everyone who voted for our campaign! We’re thrilled to share this exciting moment with our community. Learn more: https://www.anthemawards.com/winners/list/entry/#education-art-culture/product-innovation-or-service-categories/working-for-student-parent-success/457044 . . . Video description: Generation Hope Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis says, “Together, we can remove barriers for families and champion student parent success,” followed by a closing animation that reads “Third Annual Anthem Awards: Celebrating Purpose and Mission-Driven Work.” #AnthemAwards #HigherEducationEquity

Happy National Mentoring Month! 🎉 This January, we’re celebrating our marvelous mentors who provide encouragement, guidance, and support for our Scholars as they pursue college degrees. Thank you for everything you do to help teen parents and their kiddos succeed! It’s a great time to apply to be a Generation Hope mentor! Learn more and get involved: https://www.generationhope.org/mentor . . . Video description: A purple, orange, and red graphic with text that pops up on-screen to say “Happy National Mentoring Month” with an animated firework burst in the background. The video has no sound. #BeAMentor #NationalMentoringMonth #MentoringMatters #MentoringOpportunity #MentoringProgram

We want to see YOU at HOPE 2024: Where change happens for student parents and families! Our Founder and CEO, Nicole Lynn Lewis is excited to invite you to our first ever national conference for three amazing days of connection, learning, and fun. 🚨 Early bird pricing ends this Friday, Dec. 15! Register today to join us in New Orleans, March 13-15: https://cvent.me/qRO2kw?RefId=Summary+Link&utm_campaign=early-bird-registration&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=december . . . Video description: Nicole Lynn Lewis walking down a hotel hallway, inviting folks to attend HOPE 2024. #StudentParentSuccess #StudentParents #ParentingStudents #HigherEducation #HigherEdEquity #Conferences2024 #HigherEdConferences

This year, we were proud to award the inaugural Family Seal, a national certification that recognizes higher education institutions and nonprofits that are intentionally serving #StudentParents. We’re helping student parents, advocates, leaders, and philanthropists identify colleges and organizations that welcome and support parenting students. Explore our interactive directory: https://www.generationhope.org/familyu-seal-recipients We also awarded two FamilyU exemplars, Montgomery College and the Jeremiah Program. We will celebrate them at our national conference, HOPE 2024, in New Orleans, LA from March 13-15, 2024. Register now to join us: https://web.cvent.com/event/f97b8c2a-c175-476a-a1ee-97554ceb90f8/?RefId=Summary+Link&utm_campaign=early-bird-registration&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=october . . . Video description: A blue animated graphic that says, “Generation Hope’s Family U Seal recognizes Student Parent Champions across the country.” There is a clipart map of the United States, and 14 yellow location pins pop up one at a time, indicating the locations of the seal recipients. #ParentingStudents #HigherEducation #StudentParentSuccess #CollegeCompletion #Nonprofits #HigherEducationLeadership #HigherEdEquity #CollegesAndUniversities #SupportStudentParents

Why do we call our group mentors “Resource Families”? At Generation Hope, we celebrate family in all its forms! Being a Resource Family is our opportunity for a close group of people—family, colleagues, neighbors, or friends—to come together and support a tenacious teen parent in college and their child. By connecting a #StudentParent with resources and directly investing in their child’s early education, you’ll help a whole family thrive! We’re currently recruiting Resource Families in the DC metro region. Learn more and get involved at https://www.generationhope.org/mentor . . . Video description: An animated video that asks the question, “I’m interested in group mentoring, but…who could be in my Resource Family?” It then answers the question, including clipart examples of the people described: “A Resource Family could be…your family members; a group of your close friends; a group of your colleagues; your neighbors; people who share a common interest; people in your church group, parents group, or alumni group; or any other group of up to 4 adults who want to make a difference together!” The closing sections have photos of a Scholar and Scholars’ kids, and say, “No matter who you choose, as a Resource Family, you will make a real difference in the lives of a young student parent and their child. Learn more about group mentoring a Generation Hope Scholar and their child at generation hope dot org slash mentor.” The only sound in the video is happy instrumental music. #Volunteer #GetInvolved #MentoringOpportunity #GroupVolunteering #BeAMentor #Mentoring #FamilyVolunteering #VolunteerDC #VolunteerMD #VolunteerNOVA

Announcing the 2023 FamilyU Seal Recipients

BIG NEWS 🎉 We are thrilled to announce our inaugural #FamilyU Seal recipients! This group of 13 higher ed institutions and one nonprofit organization is making significant strides in intentionally serving #StudentParents, and we are proud to recognize their work with this national certification. Please join us in celebrating our 2023-2026 FamilyU Seal recipients: - George Mason University - Jeremiah Program ⭐ Our Exemplar Nonprofit - Madison College - Misericordia University's Bourger Women With Children Program at Misericordia University - Montgomery College ⭐ Our Exemplar Higher Ed Institution - Mott Community College - Mount Mary University - Mount Wachusett Community College - Northern Virginia Community College - Oregon State University - Palo Alto College - San Diego Mesa College - St. Catherine University - Trinity Washington University Through the FamilyU Seal, we’re helping student parents, advocates, leaders, and philanthropists across the country identify colleges and nonprofits that are welcoming and supporting parenting students. Learn more: https://generationhope.org/familyu-seal Thank you to our Review Committee and members of our team for reviewing applications and selecting this year’s recipients! . . . Video description: A one-minute video announcing the 2023 FamilyU Seal recipients with the logo for each college, university, and nonprofit. The audio is upbeat music. #ParentingStudents #HigherEducation #StudentParentSuccess #CollegeCompletion #Nonprofits #HigherEducationLeadership #HigherEdEquity #CollegesAndUniversities

Celebrating the inaugural FamilyU Cohort!

We had the honor of celebrating our inaugural #FamilyU Cohort this week! After two years of dedicated work together, we are proud of everything these institutions have accomplished and the supports they’ve created or expanded for tens of thousands of #StudentParents on campus. Congratulations on completing the FamilyU Cohort, George Mason University, Montgomery College, Northern Virginia Community College, and Trinity Washington University! 👏 Hear from members of each institution’s team about the cohort experience and impact. 📹⤵️ #StudentParentSuccess #HigherEducation #CollegesAndUniversities #HigherEducationLeadership #TechnicalAssistance #CapacityBuilding

Introducing Generation Hope's 2023 FamilyU Cohort!

Big news 🎉 We are excited to welcome five new higher education institutions to #FamilyU! Hear from our Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis as she introduces the members of our 2023 #FamilyU Cohort: College Unbound, Dallas College, Howard Community College, Hudson County Community College, and Jackson State University. Our technical assistance program, FamilyU, allows us to partner with higher ed leaders to drive institutional transformations that benefit the more than 1 in 5 college students who are parenting nationwide. Learn more: https://www.generationhope.org/familyucohort . . . Video description: Generation Hope CEO and Founder Nicole Lynn Lewis explaining FamilyU and introducing the colleges and universities in the 2023 FamilyU Cohort, with captions on screen. #StudentParents #ParentingStudents #HigherEd #HigherEdLeadership #HigherEdEquity

Stories that Shape Us with Nicole Lynn Lewis

Thank you, Mission Partners, for supporting our work and #StudentParentSuccess! Mission Partners just announced a three-year investment in Generation Hope that will support tuition assistance for our #StudentParent Scholars and allow our alumni the opportunity to give back to the program as mentors. 👏 We are honored to receive this multi-year investment, which will make a tangible impact on the lives of the young families we serve. Learn more at https://mission.partners/theintersection/mission-partners-announces-3-year-commitment-to-support-generation-hope/ 🎙️ Tune into the Mission Forward podcast for a powerful conversation with Carrie Fox and our Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis: https://www.missionforward.us/episodes/stories-that-shape-us-with-nicole-lynn-lewis . . . Video description: An audio clip of Nicole Lynn Lewis speaking about supporting student parents on season 7 episode 13 of the Mission Forward podcast with Carrie Fox. #CollegesAndUniversities #HigherEducation #ParentingStudents

Join Generation Hope and friends for a fun bedtime story!