ASPSF Announces Finalists for 2024 Outstanding Partner Awards

Statewide nonprofit Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is excited to share the finalists for its Outstanding Partner Awards.

In its second year, this awards program recognizes the Outstanding Philanthropy, Corporate, and School Partners for their exceptional generosity and commitment to single parent success.

ASPSF will announce the winners on Oct. 17 at The Lunch Break, the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser in Little Rock at City Center. Tickets are available at aspsf.org/lunchbreak.

Congratulations to the following: 

Outstanding Philanthropy Partner Finalists: Edelma Simes of West Helena, Freda Calloway of Monticello, and Mary Kate Snow of Benton.

Outstanding Corporate Partner Finalists: Simmons Bank, Southern Bancorp, and Wear & Share Inc.

Outstanding School Partner Finalists, Enrollment Over 2,500: Texarkana College, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College.

Outstanding School Partner Finalists, Enrollment Under 2,500: Arkansas Northeastern College, East Arkansas Community College, and North Arkansas College

“I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to all the finalists,” said Jenn Morehead, executive director of ASPSF. “Your support has been invaluable in changing the lives of single parents in Arkansas. We’re inspired by your dedication and the positive impact you’ve made. A big thank you to all the nominees as well — you’re all champions of change, and together, we’re making a real difference in our communities.”

ASPSF accepted award nominations from the community between July 8-19. A five-person selection committee of ASPSF supporters scored all 40 nominations to determine the top three finalists in each category. More information about the process is available here: aspsf.org/awards.

In addition to celebrating the Award winners, The Lunch Break will also include inspiring stories from 2011 scholarship recipient Kwami Abdul-Bey, a candidate for Arkansas House District 69 in Central Arkansas, and 2024 scholarship recipient Briana Boen, a single parent student working on her bachelor’s degree at Arkansas Tech University. Emceed by Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, the event includes a zero-waste lunch to invest in a brighter future for all.

A special thank you to The Lunch Break Gold Sponsors: Baptist Health, Conger Wealth Management, Little Rock Public Radio, Simmons Bank, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College. A full list of sponsors is available online at aspsf.org/lunchbreak. 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at jpara@aspsf.org or 501-550-6304.