45 S. National Ave. l Fond du Lac. WI 54935 l (920) 923-7613 l marianuniversity.edu/wfp

Founded 1936 • Sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes

Additional Information...

Working Families ProgramBreaking the Cycle of Poverty through Education

Connect with Marian University!

The Working Families Program, one of the nation’s most comprehensive educational programs available to low-income single parents, advances

Marian University’s mission, core values and legacy of service.

Interested in applying?Applications are accepted year-round and kept on file for up to one year.

Due to increasing interest in the Program, the application process is extremely competitive and involves an in-depth application and panel interview.

Application packets are available at marianuniversity.edu/wfp.

Questions about the Program?Contact the Working Families Program Office:

Kerry Strupp, Program Director kstrupp@marianuniversity.edu

(920)923-8953

Interested in contributing?Visit marianuniversity.edu/donate and

indicate Working Families Program as your gift designation.

Send your gift to:Marian University Advancement Office

45 S. National Ave.Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Contact the Marian University Advancement Office at (920) 923-7613.

A special thank you to the Fond du Lac Area Foundation for their support of the Working Families Program.

We are grateful to all of our donors who make this program possible!

Points of Pride• The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes was instrumental in the conception and continue to be proud sponsors of the Working Families Program.

• The Program officially began in 2002 — our strong history has been made possible through the generous donors who believe in the power of education to transform lives.

• The Program is in high demand, with only 50 percent of eligible applicants accepted over the past few years.

• The vast majority of students are first-generation college students.

• Approximately 22,500 community service hours have been contributed back to the community since the Program’s inception.

• Many of the eligible children of Working Families graduates have gone on to succeed in college following the example of their parents.

“I truly can’t put into words the gratitude I hold for the Working Families Program. The Program opened doors for me that seem inconceivable to me as a young parent. Through the Program I was able to truly �nd myself, to pave the way for my son, and to show him that regardless of the circumstance you can be anything you want to be as long as you believe in yourself and work hard every day.”

— Alyssa Fisher ’12Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Fond du Lac, Wis.

The Working Families Program is proud to celebrate its legacy of success. The mission of the Program — to break the cycle of poverty for single parents through access to education — has been realized each year because of the generosity of donor support. A total of 167 participants have graduated, the majority of whom continue to live and work in Fond du Lac, applying what they learned at Marian to benefits the lives of individuals in the community.

The Program’s impact in the lives of single parents is undeniable and is attributed to the unique support provided. Single parents in the Working Families Program receive holistic support that includes dedicated program staff and tuition assistance as well as rent, childcare and food stipends. Participants attend career, academic and financial counseling sessions focused on their progress toward degree completion and professional readiness. Participants also complete at least 20 hours of community

service each semester to benefit the work of area non-profit organizations.

As a result of the support provided as well as the dedication of our students, the Program celebrates an incredible 90 percent graduation rate. This far exceeds the national graduation rate for students of all income-levels which is 59 percent. We are proud of our program graduates who go on to play important professional roles in the community while providing the best possible example of the power of education to their children.

The Working Families Program Breaking the Cycle of Poverty through Education

Alyssa Fisher ’12 and her son, Malique