Jeremiah Program Minneapolis Helps Single Mothers Build Generational Change
At the Jeremiah Program campus in Minneapolis, single mothers are building brighter futures for themselves and their children through education, housing and community support. The program’s two-generation model focuses on empowering mothers while helping children thrive, creating pathways toward long-term family stability and generational change.
On a chilly March morning, mothers fill the halls of the Minneapolis Jeremiah Program campus, a space where the hum of young children, laughter, and purposeful conversation signals more than just community. It is a place of transformation, where single mothers invest in themselves and their children, rewriting their family’s story.
Raevhann Rush, Family Services Director at Jeremiah Program, describes the draw of the program in simple terms: “My personal values are social justice and mental health, and the ability for not only an individual but a family unit to thrive and have generational well-being and healing,” she says. “I was really drawn to the Jeremiah Program because of that two-generational focus, where both mother and children can thrive. Disrupting forms of poverty is a component of social justice. Women in this country have the highest rates of poverty, and women of color even higher. Being part of a vehicle that helps mitigate generational poverty and move toward thriving and transformation is what keeps me here.”
The Minneapolis campus houses 39 fully furnished units across three floors, with communal spaces and a small gym. Twenty to 25 participants live off-campus but are invited to join campus activities and access resources, including the Child Development Center, which serves children from six weeks old through kindergarten.
“Education is key,” Rush says. “You need housing to thrive, you need quality child care to feel freedom and the ability to concentrate on yourself as a mother. That’s what we provide, along with opportunities for personal growth and community.”
To join the program, mothers participate in a 12-week Empowerment and Leadership course, available online and connecting participants across all nine Jeremiah Program campuses nationwide. After completing the course, mothers decide whether to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree with Jeremiah Program as a partner, supported by family coaches who guide them through the process. Minneapolis currently has three family coaches, each supporting 20 to 25 moms, with a total capacity of 70 participants.
Saturday marks the 2026 JP SummitX, a virtual half-day event from 8 a.m. to noon Central Time, bringing together mothers from all nine campuses. Minneapolis will host an in-person watch party, where local participants, alumni, and community members can experience keynote addresses, workshops, and Spark Tank finalist pitches, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of “mom-preneurs.”
For Alexis, mother of a four-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son, Jeremiah Program has provided an unexpected lifeline. “I heard about the Jeremiah Program through a friend who’s a JP mom,” she says. “I wanted to go back to school, but I didn’t know how I could do it as a single mom. Here, I can focus on school and get community resources I didn’t even know were available. It’s freeing to have time to invest in myself and my kids.”
Kendrianna, who has a four-year-old daughter and a one-year-old daughter, echoes the sentiment. “Motherhood is a learning experience every day,” she says. “I work to make sure my kids know they’re loved and safe. Navigating the world together teaches me about myself too.”
Rosie, mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old son, adds, “Being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to me. It’s not easy, but knowing you’re giving your child the best start makes it worth it.”
The program also attracts mothers facing chronic health challenges. One mother, who requested anonymity, learned about the Jeremiah Program through her therapist. “I was a stay-at-home mom, overwhelmed and unsure of my next steps,” she says. “JP helped me start school again. I’ve been here a year, and it’s helped me focus on my future and my kids’ future.”
Shamierra, mother of a four-year-old son, reflects on generational cycles. “Having a child has been eye-opening. I want to love my child fully and break the generational curses I experienced,” she says. “JP is a moral support system, helping me navigate motherhood while building a better life for my son.”
Mandi, mother of a four-year-old daughter, agrees. “JP helped me find myself again. Going to school, taking care of my health, and raising my child has made me the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been.”
Family coach Dee Peah, who has supported more than 23 moms on her caseload, sees the transformative impact every day. “One mom came in without a license and was terrified,” she says. “Two years later, she has her license, a car, and a 4.0 GPA. These are some of the strongest women I know. People think single mothers rely on the system, but that’s a misconception. These moms are determined, resourceful, and committed to their children’s future.”
Peah says the most common needs she sees are basic necessities: diapers, household items, housing, along with guidance in navigating county assistance, child care, and schooling. “My goal is for moms to leave here self-sufficient. I hold their hands and guide them, but they do the work themselves. And the results are inspiring.”
Jeremiah Program has served families since 1998, rooted in the vision of founder Michael J. O’Connell, who recognized that women experiencing poverty face systemic barriers, from unstable housing to lack of child care, that make pursuing education nearly impossible. JP operates on five pillars: access to higher education, affordable child care, affordable housing, empowerment and leadership training, and career development. Since its founding, the organization has helped more than 4,000 mothers and children across the U.S.
“The end goal for our moms isn’t just a degree,” Rush says. “It’s empowerment, transformation, and the confidence to pursue life on their own terms. Every mom has her own unique path, and we’re here to walk alongside them.”
As the 2026 SummitX concludes, the Minneapolis campus will continue to buzz with the energy of mothers connecting with peers across the country, sharing stories of resilience, and finding joy in the simple act of showing up for themselves and their children. It’s a moment that captures the spirit of Women’s History Month: celebrating the strength, determination, and leadership of women who are shaping not only their own lives but the future of the next generation.
“Community is a verb,” Rush says. “You participate, you move into it. These moms are creating that community every day, and it’s remarkable to witness.”
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.