Letter: Disrupting the cycle of poverty and laying a strong foundation for families – InForum

In the United States, 42 million people are living in poverty. Almost 40% of single-mother households are in poverty, and one in three individuals who experienced poverty as children will remain in poverty as adults.

Poverty is a vicious cycle that comes with a host of profound impacts—limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, unstable housing, and low-quality public education options, resulting in reduced job opportunities.

In North Dakota this cycle is felt just as deeply. There are

11,580 single mothers and their children

are battling these systemic challenges. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, nearly 5,000 single mothers live in poverty in Cass County alone. Poverty is not a temporary setback; it’s a barrier that prevents families from building a strong foundation for a better future.

The challenges faced by families today are compounded by a growing economic strain that affects every aspect of life. Rising costs of housing, food, and childcare—paired with economic uncertainty—are widening the gap for families who were already on the edge. Many single mothers find themselves at a crossroads, needing greater support to keep moving forward but lacking the resources and support systems to do so.

This moment calls for a stronger response from all of us—individuals, organizations, and communities alike. It’s not a time to scale back but to step up. Jeremiah Program is meeting the moment by doubling the number of families it serves in 2025, ensuring that more mothers and children can access stable housing, affordable childcare, and educational opportunities. Our commitment reflects the belief that economic mobility is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re here for families every step of the way.

While higher education alone isn’t a cure-all for systemic inequality, it is the most powerful tool for creating economic mobility. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, for each level of education a single mother attains, she is 32% less likely to live in poverty. That’s why we focus on creating a stable base for success, offering housing, high-quality early childhood education, and community-building opportunities to support mothers in earning college degrees.

The education of young children is an essential part of this foundation. Children in early childhood education programs are less likely to repeat grades and more likely to graduate high school and earn higher wages later in life. Research shows that access to affordable, high-quality childcare and economic mobility supports could increase the lifetime earnings of 1.3 million mothers by $130 billion—building a future that’s structurally stronger for generations to come.

Through our two-generation model, we’ve helped mothers and children access the resources and support they need to build a stronger future. Across our campuses, we’ve seen how investing in both the mother and the child creates a robust foundation for families to grow and thrive. We understand that single mothers, especially those living on the financial edge, face impossible choices. But no mother should have to choose between her own future and her child’s.

With two-generation support, a mother can return to school, progressing at her own pace. She can pursue her career goals, striving for economic stability for herself and her family. She can ensure her children have the resources they need—whether it’s academic tutoring, summer programs, or quality childcare—because their future matters just as much.

Disrupting the cycle of poverty isn’t about focusing on one person in the family. It’s about centering the entire family. By offering comprehensive support and addressing both the mother’s and child’s needs, we create space for them to pursue their dreams, become economically mobile, and build a future filled with hope.

Now, more than ever, there is a strong, collective need to amplify the voices that many are quick to ignore. Together, we can meet the growing challenges of today with bold actions that ensure every family has a chance to thrive.

Laetitia Mizero Hellerud is the executive director of Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead.

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