Tierra and Tianna Stephens, 18-year-old twins, are set to attend the University of Oklahoma, and their mother, Tiffany Gates, is preparing for the emotional and financial challenges that come with it. Create + Collaborate, a Fort Worth nonprofit, has begun to support parents of incoming university students, providing guidance on financial support, mental health, and college applications.

Supporting Parents

The nonprofit’s efforts have formed a community for parents, making them feel more prepared and supported. Gates, a single parent, attended the Family Hub, a concurrent event for parents at the organization’s annual leadership conference, and learned that her feelings as a parent are valid. The conference also equipped parents with information on financial aid and resources.

Rhoenecia Murkeldove, another parent, found the Family Hub helpful in learning how to stay informed about her daughter’s university journey. The nonprofit’s work with parents aligns with its mission to improve college retention and completion rates.

Aiding Students

The Family Hub is also useful for students, as it ensures that the burden of educating parents on the university experience isn’t exclusively on them. Tierra and Tianna Stephens appreciate the support their mother is receiving, which has taken some stress off of them.

Gates said the nonprofit has been an invaluable tool for both her and her daughters, and it has motivated her to finish her own degree. The organization’s support for families has made a positive impact on the community.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.