California

Ascend at the Aspen Institute builds intergenerational family prosperity and well-being for children and the adults in their lives through a two-generation (2Gen) approach. This mean we intentionally and simultaneously focus on supporting children and the adults in their lives together. We center racial, gender, and economic equity in all our work along with the …

Meeting Young Parents in LA County Where They Dream Read More »

Ascend NetworkApril 27, 2023
Photo of Ignacio Angel and his family.
Ignacio Angel has decided to define for himself what success looks like as a college student and father of four. The for-profit trade school he went to, which was later investigated for preying on vulnerable students, never delivered on promises of a job, and landed him in debt. With Lilly’s help, he found a support …

‘1 in 5’ Season 2 Episode 2: Meet Ignacio Angel Read More »

Aspen Postsecondary Success for ParentsDecember 1, 2022
Intake forms are important because you never get a second chance to make a first impression. I'm heartened by Ascend Network partners' efforts to simplify intake processes for families with low incomes involved in two-generation (2Gen) programs.
Ascend NetworkApril 28, 2022
Lorena is a single mother in the process of rebuilding her life. Though it has been challenging, she wouldn’t change a thing. Being a mother has not only been her greatest joy, but it has allowed her to find her vocation and pursue her lifelong love of health and science.
Aspen Postsecondary Success for ParentsApril 19, 2021
Waukecha Wilkerson is a single mother of 13-year-old and 4-year-old sons and a 6-year-old daughter. She graduated from Coastline Community College in the Spring of 2020 with two associate degrees in psychology and social and behavioral science. She is a current student at Sacramento State University, pursuing a B.A. degree in psychology.
Aspen Postsecondary Success for ParentsFebruary 15, 2021
I could live a hundred years and cry everyday of those years, and those tears would still not be enough to express the exhaustion, pain, and outrage I’m feeling at this moment. As a single Black mother of two sons and a daughter, I have three goals: (1) Protect and preserve their lives (2) Provide them …

I Will Not Be Deterred from My Goals as a Parent in 2020 Read More »

BlogJune 18, 2020