FALL 2008 - UW-Milwaukee

The Life Impact Program office doors are always opento participants for any reason. Supplies and equip ment,such as printers, copiers, and fax machines, are readilyavailable. Students also stop in to chat with staff and otherparents. The office is even equipped with a toy box for thechil d ren who occasionally come to visit with their parents.Program gatherings, such as luncheons and pizza parties,are organized through out the year to encourage thedevel op ment of a student-parent community at UWM.The ParticipantsHas the program succeeded in achieving its goals? Itsparticipants think it has. Tiffany, a Communications/Organizational Administration major and mother of threeboys, says if it wasn’t for the Life Impact Program offeringher support and encourage ment, she most likely wouldn’tbe at UWM. Other parents have also indicated that theemotional support has been one of the greatest assets ofbeing involved in the program.Sarah, a Political Science major and mother of one,wants to use her education to create public policies thatrequire equal outcomes, not just equal opportunities. Shesays the Life Impact Program is a model that offers manytypes of support services to student-parents who are tryingto succeed not only for them selves, but for their childrenas well.Clote, who mothers a nine-year-old son while majoringin Community Education and Political Science, findsinspiration in knowing that there are people in the worldwho see the value in educating parents, as this directlyaffects the child’s future.Many of the participants in Life Impact see the programas one of the best things they’ve encountered in theireducation. They have all had to overcome obstacles, fromlearning to put someone else first to learning how to jugglefinances, time, and school. Many of the parents aremotivated by the desire to give their child a better life,however difficult that may be. Thanks to the Life ImpactProgram, they don’t have to struggle through it alone.To those parents thinking about starting or returningto school, the participants of the Life Impact Program offerthis advice:Follow your dreams; don’t let anyone try to discourageyou. Enjoy school, and if you are growing mentally, spirit uallyand financially, your child will see that and be more likely tofollow in your footsteps. Time is precious, so make everythingcount. Remember the big picture when things getrough. Life is not easy, but if you put your mind to it, anythingis possible. Don’t give up! Most importantly, just do it!You’ll feel great when it’s over.Contact InformationFor more information on the Life Impact Program, theeligibility requirements, and how to apply, please refer toUWM’s Financial Aid website (www4.uwm.edu/financialaid).You can also contact the life coach and life coach assistantsat 414-229-6626, or by e-mail at mycoach@uwm.edu.Quentella Watts (left) and Sonia RivasKeith Jones and his children Sapphire and IsaacThe Life Impact Expansion ProjectThrough the UWM Access to Success Initiative, theLife Impact Program is now able to provide supportto all UWM students with children. The Life ImpactExpansion Project (LIXP) provides advocacy,mentoring, and advising to current UWM studentparentsthrough student-parent support groups andworkshops. For more information on LIXP or theStudent Parent Association, please contact DamiraGrady, LIXP life coach/advisor, at 414-229-6626 ore-mail her at mycoach@uwm.edu.Fall 2008/Myriad 9