The Arkansas Single Mum or dad Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is proud to acknowledge Jennifer Ibarra-Reyes of Garland County because the Volunteer of the Month. A single dad or mum, former scholarship recipient, and passionate advocate for schooling, Jennifer’s story is a shining instance of resilience, service, and the facility of giving again.
Jennifer started volunteering with ASPSF in 2023 to provide again to this system that after supported her.
“I really like serving to others, and I needed to provide again to this system that after helped me,” she mentioned.
Jennifer first discovered about ASPSF in 2019, throughout her time at Nationwide Park Faculty. On the time, she was a single mom decided to create a greater life for her kids.
“As dad and mom, we take into consideration methods to supply for our kids. We continuously fear about making them proud,” Jennifer mentioned. “In the future, I requested myself, ‘Am I actually doing all that I can for my kids?’ The reply was no. So, I made a decision it was time to return to highschool to get a level for a profession — not only a job.”
Trying to find methods to afford faculty, she got here throughout ASPSF whereas researching scholarships for single dad and mom.
“I knew faculty was costly, and I would wish assist financially,” she mentioned. “I used to be so excited after I acquired the e-mail that I used to be chosen for this excellent scholarship.”
With ASPSF’s assist, Jennifer was capable of cowl the price of books and provides, and that assist stored her motivated.
“Each semester I pushed myself to make good grades and to succeed,” she mentioned. “Each semester, I utilized for this scholarship. I used to be like a nasty behavior they couldn’t eliminate.”
From that second, Jennifer made probably the most of each alternative that got here her manner. She earned her Affiliate of Arts in prison justice in 2021 with a 3.9 GPA. She continued her schooling on the College of Arkansas – Fort Smith, the place she earned her Bachelor of Science in prison justice in 2023 with a 3.75 GPA. Alongside the way in which, she additionally earned credentials in medical billing and coding and have become a licensed phlebotomist. Now, she’s working towards her pharmacy technician license. She’s a real lifelong learner.
“Speak about plenty of nights of homework, finding out, crying, and, to be sincere, in all probability screaming,” she mentioned. “Nevertheless it was effectively value each second of it.”
Now, because the Workforce Innovation and Alternative Act (WIOA) case supervisor on the American Indian Middle of Arkansas, Jennifer helps others discover their very own profession paths.
“I work with people to assist them discover their dream careers or the schooling they deserve,” she mentioned. “I do know what it’s wish to assume you possibly can’t make it, however I promise you that you may. Simply preserve pushing and preserve believing in your self.”
Through the years, Jennifer has participated in and volunteered at a number of ASPSF occasions, together with the Single Mum or dad Type Present fundraiser in Sizzling Springs, the statewide luncheon in Little Rock, and commencement ceremonies. This 12 months, she additionally helped by interviewing new candidates, supporting different single dad and mom simply beginning their educational journeys.
Her favourite volunteer reminiscence was internet hosting a commencement ceremony alongside two fellow volunteers and recipients.
“We have been the visitor audio system and the hosts,” she mentioned. “We had such a good time planning, organizing, and celebrating everybody’s accomplishments.”
Volunteering with ASPSF means an excellent deal to Jennifer as a result of she’s walked the identical path because the dad and mom she now helps.
“I do know firsthand what it’s wish to be a single dad or mum balancing faculty, work, and elevating a toddler,” she mentioned. “It’s rewarding to assist others who’re strolling that very same path and remind them that their exhausting work really pays off.”
Jennifer’s journey — from single dad or mum and scholarship recipient to school graduate and volunteer — embodies the guts of ASPSF’s mission: empowering single dad and mom to attain their objectives by schooling and group assist.
Be part of Jennifer and turn out to be an ASPSF volunteer at aspsf.org/getinvolved.
