Photo: WTVG

In partnership with Reverand John Jones and HOPE Toledo Promise (Toledo, OH), we are studying the first-year implementation of a novel two-generation college scholarship program. HOPE Toledo Promise is a family-centered, two-generation strategy that purposefully and systematically integrates scholarships and services for youth and parents with the goal of promoting postsecondary education success for two generations at the same time. HOPE Toledo Promise offers a cost-free postsecondary education to graduating high school seniors of Scott High School and one parent or guardian.

Study Design

Examining program implementation through quantitative administrative and survey data in addition to qualitative focus group and interview data from Parent and Youth Scholars and community leaders.

Data Collection Time Frame

2021 – present 

Early Findings

  • HOPE Toledo Promise is designed to address educational, economic, and racial inequities by offering a fully funded, 4.5-year college scholarship with supportive services to low-income families who largely identify as Black.
  • In its inaugural year, this novel family-centered program, which began at Jesup W. Scott High School in Toledo, has shown promise for both generations.
    • HOPE Toledo Promise is the only known two-generation college scholarship program in the country for high school graduates and one of their parents.
  • Despite learning about the scholarship during their senior year and living through a global pandemic:
    • Approximately 75% of high school graduates showed interest and 54% enrolled in college;
    • For parents, 16% also enrolled in higher education.
  • In the first year, youth and parents persisted at two-and four-year institutions in the Greater Toledo area and most performed at or above average academically.
  • Families attending college at the same time experienced shared learning, healthy competition, and mutual motivation.
  • Despite these successes, challenges remain such as continued financial and food insecurities, loneliness, and limited academic preparation.
  • Plans are underway to scale the program across the city of Toledo through partnerships with local educational institutions and employers.

Publications 

Two Generations in College Promotes Healthy Competition

“My daughter, me and her, we like to compete. So, my first semester I was like ‘Let’s make a bet. Whoever gets the best grades, we got to treat the other one out’ […] We just do a lot of competitions but it’s all fun and games because it’s basically uplifting each other, she’s uplifting me to go back to school. I’m lifting her up to go, you know, follow her dreams and be whoever she wants to be. And it’s kind of fun having a kid in college and I’m in college.” –Parent Scholar

Why Target Two Generations?

“If you keep asking the question ‘Why? […] Why are people living in inappropriate housing? Why do they have food issues?’ […] You’ll eventually have to arrive and understand it is the outcome of 400 years of systemic racism in this country [..] And if you understand that, then the need is not limited to one age group […] And I think what [HOPE Toledo] was able to do is help tear down some barriers, some inequities, some disparities, and do it not just for a younger generation, but for that parent group […] I thought that was powerful recognition that ‘Look, the need doesn’t stop at a certain age’” –Community Leader

Program Partner

HOPE Toledo

Primary Funding

Kadens Family Foundation

HOPE Toledo Promise is directed by Reverend John Jones with funding from the Kadens Family Foundation and ProMedica Foundation.