Latest news with #JeremiahProgram
CBS News
11-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Nonprofit Baltimore chapter helps single moms build careers through community
The Jeremiah Program, a nonprofit chapter in Baltimore, helps single moms achieve more by making higher education more accessible. The national nonprofit has had a Baltimore chapter since 2022. The program's mission is to disrupt the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children. Last year, Baltimore's Jeremiah Program chapter helped nearly 190 moms and their children. Five of those moms earned degrees. How does the Jeremiah Project help? Brittany Strickland, a single mother of three, with two diagnosed with autism, said she had a year left to earn her bachelor's degree when she learned about the first diagnosis. "It delayed a lot of things and affected my grades, his loss of scholarships, things like that," Strickland said. Strickland has now been with the Jeremiah Program for more than two years and has earned her degree. Moms like Strickland who take part get one-on-one coaching, financial help, tutoring, childcare, and other supports to help make sure they can get their associate's or bachelor's degrees. There's no cost to participate. The community aspect Danielle Staton, who has been the program's executive director since it started in Baltimore, said the community aspect of the program is its secret sauce. "You have a community of other moms who are on the same journey as you, so that sisterhood is really core to who we are," Staton said. "We let you know we have your back." The community aspect is what helped Strickland. "It brought me out of isolation, where I kind of just felt I'm on this boat by myself with my children. Sure, I had family and friends, but I was kind of isolated," Strickland said. Strickland is now an Early Childhood Education Fellow with the program. She said participating has made so many things possible. "JP has been that answered prayer, JP has been that gift to me," Strickland said.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alexis Frezza challenging Cedar Park City Council Member Bobbi Hutchinson on May 3
Cedar Park has one contested race for its City Council in the May 3 election. Place 1 incumbent Bobbi Hutchinson, a 47-year-old Texas Realtor, is being challenged by Alexis Frezza, a 43-year-old who works for the Jeremiah Program in Austin. The program supports single mothers as they pursue a college degree and reshape their futures and their children's futures, Frezza said. Hutchinson is a real estate agent who belongs to the National Association of Realtors, which has a more restrictive standard of ethics for agents than state guidelines have. Council Member Anne Duffy is running uncontested for her Place 3 seat and incumbent Kevin Harris has no opponent in the Place 5 election. Hutchinson has served one term in office. The winner of the May election will serve a two-year term. The candidates differ on the issues facing the city. Frezza said housing and jobs need to be developed or created for new residents. Hutchinson said she is concerned about maintaining strong support for first responders and identifying alternative water supplies. Both candidates answered a series of questions about their campaigns. Frezza: As the median age of our residents increases, it is essential for to long-term stability to implement resources that attract new residents. I am dedicated to developing housing choices, improving transportation options and creating more job opportunities to ensure all residents prosper while maintaining high standards in all our public sectors. Hutchinson: There are challenges we face going forward and those include maintaining strong support for our first responders particularly as our population continues to grow and wildfire concerns are increasing, ensuring that we maintain a healthy mix of residential and commercial land to diversify our tax base, identifying alternative water sources for the future and always remaining fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. It's also important that we maintain diverse viewpoints on the City Council so that all residents of Cedar Park are represented. Frezza: Housing solutions that serve families, young professionals and retirees alike. Economic opportunities to support businesses, promote innovation and attract sustainable economic growth while prioritizing public safety standards. Continue advocating for our public schools to ensure our children have the tools, resources and campus support they need to succeed. More: Hilda Montgomery faces challenge from Emran Rouf in lone race for Round Rock City Council Hutchinson: We have many exciting new projects to bring to fruition in the coming years including a new hotel and convention center in the CedarView development that includes Nebraska Furniture Mart and Scheels (sporting goods), our Joint Public Safety Training Center, numerous infrastructure projects aimed at improving our roads and water/wastewater systems, and a variety of quality-of-life projects including shared-use paths and improvements to our amazing parks and trails. As an experienced member of the council, Council, my goal is to continue providing insight and thoughtful perspectives when discussing issues with my colleagues. Frezza: I have a proven track record of leadership, collaboration and results — qualities that are essential for effective public service. I prioritize listening, seek out diverse perspectives, and work toward practical solutions that reflect the values and needs of our residents. What sets me apart is not just my passion, but also my readiness to lead with both empathy and accountability. Hutchinson: I am committed to open dialogue with residents, other community leaders and business owners. I have honed the knowledge to continue serving on the City Council through direct experience on a city commission, as an incumbent on City Council and by taking on numerous extra volunteer opportunities both on the council and in the community to always be the best servant leader I can be. Frezza: I spent a decade working with the Junior League of Austin, collaborating with hundreds of committed volunteers to support various nonprofits in the Austin area. Throughout my time with the league, I held multiple leadership roles, including facilitating our annual fundraiser, "A Christmas Affair," which raises over a million dollars each year to reinvest in the community. I have served as president at multiple levels, both on campus and district-wide, and I have actively participated in board responsibilities through the Leander school district for nine years. I also substituted in dozens of schools throughout our district for five years. More: Meet the 6 candidates running for three seats on the Leander City Council Hutchinson: I served on the Planning and Zoning Commission from 2020-2023. I served as a member of the Community Support Subcommittee on the City Council. I am a new member of the Capital Area Planning Council of Governments General Assembly, and I also volunteered to serve on our City Council's legislative subcommittee. I am an active member of our church, our school community, nonprofits such as the Christian Resource Center, and various sports organizations for my children. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Meet the candidates for Cedar Park City Council Place 1 election
