New York -- Single Stop USA, a data-driven national nonprofit, this month expanded its services to Miami Dade College – the largest community college system in the United States. Single Stop already operates sites at three key higher education locations – the two-year colleges at City University of New York (CUNY), Essex County College in Newark, N.J., and City College San Francisco (CCSF).

With more than 80 sites across the country in such community-based organizations as food pantries, shelters, and settlement houses, as well as community colleges, Single Stop assists thousands of struggling individuals and households move toward economic mobility. The organization helps them get life-changing government cash and noncash benefits, and also provides financial advice, legal counseling, and seasonal tax preparation –in one place.

In 2009, Single Stop helped nearly 120,000 low-income families and individuals obtain $300 million in tax credits and refunds, food stamps, health insurance, and other critical resources.
The Kresge Foundation, based in Troy, Michigan, awarded $1.15 million from its education portfolio to launch Single Stop sites at Miami Dade College. A second grant for $1.5 million was awarded by Kresge's human services portfolio to help Single Stop build its infrastructure for further expansion across the country.

How Single Stop Helps Community College Students Stay in School

Despite the potential of community colleges to move families from poverty to the middle class, less than a third of all students who set out to earn a degree actually complete it. But low completion rates are not surprising, given the many obstacles students confront. Barriers such as inadequate child care, housing and financial problems, family illness, and other concerns make it exceedingly difficult to stay, let alone succeed, in school.

However, multiple studies show that supplementing the income of struggling students with additional financial resources can make a crucial difference in their educational attainment. Yet to date, such initiatives have been largely financed by private, unsustainable dollars and have been limited in scale.

By partnering with community colleges, Single Stop connects students to existing but often unclaimed federal resources (including tax credits, health insurance, food stamps, and child care subsidies) to augment financial aid.
Speaking of the Kresge award for the Miami Dade sites, Elisabeth Mason, CEO of Single Stop USA, said:
"This partnership will not only help thousands of low-income students in Florida access the resources and supports to stay in school and move into the middle class -- it will also raise the profile of the national conversation we are conducting about linking a successful community college education with the future of our country's long-term economic stability."

For more information contact:

Grace Lichtenstein
Communications Officer, Single Stop USA
glichtenstein@singlestopusa.org
646 708 9054 (direct)
212 480-2870 (main)
505 463-1564 (cell)