CHANGING WOMEN’S LIVES FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S FUTURE

BY SUSAN A. STIBBE >> SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

Education is the pathway out of poverty,” said Andrea Hochhalter, Director of Community Outreach for the Jeremiah Program in Fargo-Moorhead. “Our unique model and approach is working to break the cycle of poverty by eliminating barriers for single mothers and their young children, so they may lead productive and prosperous lives.”

The Jeremiah Program originated in Minneapolis in 1998. In 2008, community leaders began exploring the possibility of bringing the program to Fargo-Moorhead. Hochhalter became involved in 2009. “I wasn’t a single mother. I wasn’t a social worker. But, I’ve always found great joy in helping people reach their goals and succeed,” explained Hochhalter. “I have a great love for the Fargo-Moorhead community, and the Jeremiah Program not only moves families forward, it moves communities forward. Every dollar invested in a Jeremiah family can return up to four dollars to society.”

The Jeremiah Program is a nonprofit that prepares determined, single mothers to excel in the workforce and ready their children to succeed in school. It offers safe and affordable housing, quality early-childhood education, life-skills training and support for career- track education. It is dedicated to transforming families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time.

The Fargo-Moorhead Jeremiah Program is now offering a Life Skills Education Course. The course is designed to serve the needs of single mothers with young children who want to change their lives for their children’s future.

One young, single mother in Fargo, who completed the Life Skills Course, said, “The fact that the Jeremiah Program actually teaches life skills that I am going to use and need is why I am here. I am emotionally and mentally stronger because of this program. This course is for mothers who really want to help themselves.”

The Life Skills Course is a stepping stone to achieving the vision of a local Jeremiah residential campus and early childhood education center. “We are not making life easy,” stated Hochhalter. “We want to provide an opportunity for success by teaching skills to become truly selfreliant. Being on our campus will be a privilege and it will require focus and accountability. Balancing family care, employment, and housing is very difficult while trying to earn a college degree – we are addressing these often insurmountable barriers.”

Jeremiah participants must be single, low-income mothers with children aged four or younger. They must have a high school diploma or GED and be pursuing a post-secondary education. “No college, no Jeremiah Program,” said Hochhalter. “Education offers young mothers the best insurance for finding career work and remaining economically independent.”

Fargo-Moorhead community leaders, referral partners, faith communities, education advocates and volunteers from all walks of life believe that the Jeremiah Program’s two-generation approach offers a great fit for our community.

“The children of the mothers who started in this program fifteen years ago in the Cities are now applying to college,” said Hochhalter. “The trajectory of these children’s lives changed significantly as a result of their mothers’ completion of the Jeremiah Program and earning a postsecondary degree.”

The Fargo-Moorhead Jeremiah Program is dedicated to changing women’s lives for their children’s future. [AWM]

Family HealthCare is one of four Community Health Centers in North Dakota and serves anyone in the region, regardless of economic status. In 2012, over 1300 patients utilized their Homeless Health Services. Individuals finding themselves living in homelessness can receive care here, free of judgment. In addition, staff is sent into the community to do outreach and build relationships with this unique population. Patients are invited to use the Homeless Health Services lobby as a landing spot where they can get out of the elements, grab a cup of coffee, or just say hello to Annie at the front desk. “They really learn to trust our staff,” says Kundinger.

FHC continues to find new ways to serve their patients and community. Because of this, half of their board consists of patients representing the different populations served. Decision makers look to them for guidance on what the community needs. The addition of a diabetic support group and optometry are among several programs added due to input from the Patient Advisory Council.

One of the many things that make this clinic so unique is their ability to efficiently serve multiple nationalities through their Medical Interpreter program. Languages offered are ever changing as they’re dependent on the needs of the multi-cultural community. Thirteen are currently offered. In addition to their nationally recognized interpreting services, a health mentoring program is also available. Staff speaks the language and understands the culture of the area’s new Americans. They provide classes which help individuals navigate nutrition, food safety, personal finance and the school system.