25th anniversary of the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program at Misericordia University

by Lindsay Riddell

Misericordia University celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program last weekend.

Since its founding in 2000, the Women with Children Program has provided free housing and an array of supportive services to economically disadvantaged single mothers and their children, enabling them to pursue their college degrees. One of only eight programs of its kind in the nation, it has served hundreds of families and continues to be a state and nationally recognized two-generation model for access and opportunity in higher education. Through the gift of free housing, financial assistance, access to quality child care and an array of social, academic and family enrichment programming, Women with Children provides a comprehensive response to the needs of families.

Mothers receive support through individual goal planning, academic support and tutoring, career services, on-campus counseling, parenting and informational workshops. Mothers are given priority placement for on-campus work study opportunities and assistance with internship placements. Children are offered the opportunity to pursue extracurricular activities including sports camps, summer camps, swimming lessons, a children’s garden and library and involvement in the Kids on Campus program during the school year. Mothers are assisted in securing childcare by providing information and case management services on state certified day care centers and eligibility requirements for childcare subsidies. The University also offers a 40% subsidy for child care to eligible families.

Katherine Pohlidal, Director of the Program said “This anniversary reminds us that access to education can change the trajectory not only of individual lives, but the lives of entire families. And we now know the positive generational impact our program creates as we see the children of our student mothers achieve college degrees themselves.”

Research has shown that the pathway out of poverty is through affordable housing and education, both which are provided by this program.

For more information or to make a donation to support the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program, please visit, www.misericordia.edu/wwc.