Women and Children Succeeding (WACS)

About Us

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.

Program Requirements

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, attend financial counseling, and do community services based on the amount of assistance they are receiving.

Program Benefits

This program helps with spiritual counseling, financial assistance for childcare, intensive case management, life skills training, financial counseling, credit repair, advocacy and referals, career counseling, parenting classes, one-on-one mentoring, IDA savings program, and transportation assistance. WACS also offers fun social events and strives to build self-esteem while teaching accountablity, all of which contributes to graduation.

Since 1994 over 100 participants have graduated from our program, and we are growing with a current average of 10 graduates per year.

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".

How to Apply

Persons referred to the program are interviewed to determine overall need and commitment for optimal success. In order to enter the program the interviewee must be eligible for government assistance (i.e. WIC, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc.). When coming in for an interview you are asked to bring:

1. A current class schedule
2. Enrollment information
3. Transcript from college or high school
4. Social Security cards for all household members
5. Proof of current household income
6. Picture ID
7. One page summary of your career goals
8. Application information online at aimcharity.org

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

Mentors

One of the goals of WACS is to empower our mothers by encouraging and equipping them through mentoring relationships so that they may be successful in achieving their dreams and help provide for their families. A mentor is expected to:

• Be a Guide
• Be a Teacher
• Be a Counselor
• Be an Encourager
• Be a Servant
• Be a Friend

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please print out the application below and bring it into the WACS Cottage. We would love to meet you!  Or for more information on how to become a mentor, please contact Erin Deffendiffer The Mommy Trainer, Parenting and Life Coach and Mentor Program Director for WACS, erin@themommytrainer.com

WACS Sponsor Form - View information on how you can volunteer you time or contributions.

WACS Application - Print an application to apply for participation in the WACS program.

Mentor Application - Print an application to apply to mentor a participant.

Visit our WACS video section to learn more about this program.