Women and Children Succeeding (WACS)

AIM's most innovative and successful program, Women and Children Succeeding (WACS), gives parents and disadvantaged children the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and become independent, self-sufficient, and successful. WACS removes the barriers that prevent families from taking advantage of available resources and allows the parent to return to school.

The number one barrier for parents is the lack of childcare. Our WACS program helps participants obtain quality childcare.

South Carolina ranks in the top 10 states of women living in poverty, our school drop-out rate is among the highest in the nation and SC has a critical need for preparing children living in poverty for kindergarten. WACS addresses all these issues by assisting participants with accessing resources and holding the families accountable to follow their signed contracts.

The program also provides an intensive plan to assist the family with parenting, budgeting, resources, and the information the families need. The young mother, and occasional father, must attend monthly life skills meetings, meet with the coordinator once a month, demonstrate regular school attendance, submit their grades each semester, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and do community services based on the amount of assistance they are receiving.

Hours of support and encouragement, training and classes, fun social activities, being accountable, building self-esteem and dignity, all contribute to graduation.

We have had 84 participants graduate from our program.

These participants now have a career in their chosen field and are self-sufficient. They are able to provide for their children and many have even purchased their own homes. Most important, the value of education is witnessed and we are "Changing Generations Through Education".

Eligibility:

1. Must be receiving some form of government assistance (WIC, Food Stamps, etc.)
2. Enrolled or enrolling in a Higher Education Institution
3. Be considered a full-time student

We currently are only able to provide childcare assistance for full-time day students.

Click on our WACS Sponsor Form for more information on How You Can Help!

WACS Application -Those interested in applying for the WACS program can print the application here!!

See our video section to view videos about this program.