AUGUSTA, Maine — Mainers were given an update this week on a program aimed at helping parents and guardians with needs at home, so they can earn the degree on which they've set their sights.
Sandra Butler of the University of Maine and Luisa Deprez of the University of Southern Maine presented findings to the Maine Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday, looking at the first two years of the Build HOPE program.
Democrat Sara Gideon established the Higher Opportunities for Pathways to Employment program when she was the Maine House speaker in 2018. The program has been run by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Gideon then contributed leftover campaign funds from her failed 2020 U.S. Senate bid to create Build HOPE in 2022, furthering the original mission.
Build HOPE offers up to $2,000 each year to parents who want to get a postsecondary degree but face financial barriers beyond what Pell Grants cover. The money can be used for immediate needs that might otherwise pull adults out of school.
According to Jonathan Henry, vice president of enrollment management and marketing at the University of Maine at Augusta, the school retains the highest number of traditional HOPE program scholars at 102.
"Little things, like a brake job on a car, a windshield smashing, a past-due heat bill in the winter," Henry said. "It’s a barrier to their completion, and they could give up."
He lauded the program and the people in it.
"Adult learners bring so much more to the table. Of course, all of the life experience. But more than that, they bring goals. They bring aspirations," Henry said. "Because they kind of know what they want. They've lived life longer. They have children, in this case."
Mary Pletcher is attending UMA for a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Pletcher received her associate degree at Kennebec Valley Community College in the spring of 2023, just before her eldest of four kids, son Donald Riopelle, graduated high school.
"We had back-to-back celebrations," her eyes began to water as she smiled. "Sorry, I’m gonna cry. You know, it was a big experience for me."
She achieved her first degree with help from Build HOPE. Maine Equal Justice administers the program. Executive Director Robyn Merrill was proud to help such hard-working students.
"I’m struck by the perseverance of strength of these parents and these families in continuing to pursue their goals in spite of a lot of obstacles," Merrill said.
The study found nearly 75% of Build HOPE's 500 participants make less than $20,000 a year, and 74% are the single head of household. Half said programs like HOPE and Build HOPE kept them in school.
"I would have struggled and made it, but those funds helped make things a lot smoother and easier, and I didn’t have to worry as much because I had that money there," Pletcher said.
Now working on degree No. 2, she pushed ahead without fear—a proud mom to a proud son.