Uplifting Parents

Catholic Social Services of Rapid City helps single parents prosper and grow professionally by providing mentoring and financial resources for a college education through the Uplifting Parents Program (Program UP). Assisting single parents in western South Dakota since 2014, the Uplifting Parents Program believes that all single-parent families deserve the right to have access to the financial resources they need to help their families grow.

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Who We Are

The Uplifting Parents Program (Program UP) was created to empower single parent families by providing resources to support their advancement in education. The goal is to assist lower-income single parents to acquire the education needed to become financially sustainable, and thus provide stability and opportunity for their children. Catholic Social Services (CSS) works with over thirty coalition partner agencies in the community to develop the program.

Those chosen to participate in the Uplifting Parents Program have the opportunity to receive up to $4,800 in assistance to be used towards getting a college education. Matched with a mentor to help them toward their goals, the Uplifting Parents Program serves as a vital resource to those we serve and has the ability to transform the lives of single-parent families.

$606,902Has been awarded in monthly stipends and critical financial support
76% Of Uplifting Parents Program Members make it to Graduation
80UP graduates are now supporting important industries in our community
176Families have been impacted by the UP program, including over 350 children

How to Qualify

Single parent seeking advancement in higher education
Degree completion in 6-24 months
Currently parenting or expecting
Must be referred by coalition partners and fill out an application
Must be self-motivated and interested in strengthening themselves and family
Must be able to travel to Rapid City for meetings and classes
Participant must demonstrate a history of stability and potential to follow through with program requirements
Not presently struggling with addiction or substance abuse
Preference given to lower income participants
May be male or female
All religious affiliations/denominations welcome

How to Apply

All applicants must be referred into the UP program by one of our community partners. If you’re already a current student, it’s likely that your academic advisor, counselor, or success coach knows about our program and can refer you in!

If you’re still having trouble finding someone who can refer you, please complete the info form below or call us at 605-348-6086 and ask for an UP staff member. We will get you connected to one of our partners.

Download the Application Checklist Complete The Application View Our Community Partners

About the Uplifting Parents Program

Mission

To uplift parents to achieve success in providing stability and greater opportunity for their family.

Vision

To empower single parents to achieve greater financial and socioemotional stability for their families by assisting parents in advancing their education and careers by providing mentoring services, community resources, and scholarship funding.

Mentoring Services are the Heart of the Program

UP participants are matched with an Uplifting Parents Mentor from Catholic Social Services. A major task for the mentor is to help anticipate and intercept potential crises that could derail the participant’s success. Mentoring is the heart of the program and helps provide the wraparound services that will assist that participant in achieving success and completing their degree.

Meet the Program UP Team!