Generation Hope, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit providing direct support and national advocacy for student parents in college, announced that it is expanding its innovative Scholar Program to Dallas, offering its direct service to teen parents in college.

The organization said this expansion marks its third site, building on the success of its programs in the Washington, D.C., region and Greater New Orleans.

“Expanding to Dallas is a pivotal moment for Generation Hope,” Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis said in a statement. “We’ e always known that our work is needed everywhere, and to see our Scholar Program growing to this new community is so exciting. We’re not just bringing a DC program to Dallas—we’re launching a Dallas program, built by and for this community.” 

The Generation Hope Scholar Program offers teen parents much needed support, including one-on-one mentoring, tuition assistance, and a vibrant peer community, the nonprofit said.

“We understand that achieving academic success requires more than just financial assistance,” Lewis added. “It calls for a supportive community and resources that address the full spectrum of challenges our Scholars face including the systemic barriers that have historically impeded the progress of marginalized students.”

The nonprofit said that scholars benefit from comprehensive resources such as year-round training, academic planning, and career preparation. Additional support includes individualized coaching, free tutoring, mental health services, and family-friendly events designed to help Scholars achieve their educational and professional goals, Generation Hope said.

Less than 2% of teen mothers earn a college degree by 30

Less than 2% of teen mothers earn a college degree before age 30, and more than half of all parenting college students leave school without a degree, the nonprofit noted, adding that Generation Hope Scholars graduate at double the rate of low-income college students and eight times the rate of single mothers nationwide.

Generation Hope will host a luncheon on Jan. 31 in Dallas to celebrate the expansion.

“We’re dedicated to ensuring that the Dallas program is tailored to the unique needs of the community,” Caroline Griswold Short, VP of family programming at Generation Hope, said in a statement. “This expansion is not about replicating our DC and NOLA models but about co-creating a program that truly reflects and supports the diverse and dynamic population in Dallas, with a strong focus on community-building, advancing racial equity, and providing comprehensive support.” 

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