New Club for Single Parents
by Olivia Ogonowsky
Cape Cod Community College offers a wide range of different club options. One of their newest clubs is the Single Parent’s Club for students of all ages bearing the responsibility for loved ones, young and old.
Founder and President Christina Silva-Simpson is a single mother of three, and has also been a student at Cape Cod Community College since 2019. Silva-Simpson was inspired to start this club because she wanted to make life a little easier for single parents juggling their home life and school. “This group is meant to make single parents achieve their goals with as little stress as possible,” said Silva-Simpson.
She also established this group to give single parents a sense of belonging and community. Her goal was to provide her group with all the tools that they needed to support them, even when they weren’t able to attend other campus events.
“I put this group together so that we can not only come together and support each other, but to also share resources both on and off-campus such as tutoring options, daycare options, Turkey Baskets, Toys for Tots, and things such as ways to take care of ourselves as well.” Silva-Simpson said.
The Treasurer of this group, Saoirse Stuttard, also runs this club and has been working hard alongside Christina to promote their mission and help students at 4C’s. “My goals are to promote and nurture healthy relationships between parents and students interested in having children while going through college at 4C’s,” said Stuttard.
“I always wished that I was a part of something here at 4Cs,” said Stuttard. “But thought I wouldn’t have the time and felt like I wouldn’t fit in as a young mom. After meeting Christina, we instantly clicked, and she reminded me that inclusivity was one of the foundations of her getting started, and that immediately interested me”.
Like the club president, Stuttard also values the importance of the club involving accommodations for community events being held. Single parents are often on a tight schedule, so it is beneficial for club members to be able to discuss and/or watch recordings of events that they may not have had the flexibility to attend. “On top of relationship building, I think as mothers, we can play a key role in advocating for student rights and spreading the word about resources out there in the community that are available,” said Stuttard.
The club meets on Mondays and Fridays. Currently, the club is looking to set up a way that students can have the option of either joining on campus, or joining via zoom. “The final tweaks are being made so that every member, virtual or in-person, feels as involved and heard as possible. We want this to be an easy-no-pressure drop-in basis club” said Stuttard. She emphasizes that the club is easygoing with an informal environment.
This club already has lots of exciting works in the book, and they are always welcoming new members. If you or someone you know are looking to join, feel free to contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Categories: Clubs,