National Nonprofit Celebrates Official Launch of Scholar Program in Dallas, Supporting Student Parents in College

Generation Hope celebrates expansion with Launch Party and Orientation, offering powerful media access to young families, educators, and community advocates

DALLAS, TX, July 1, 2025 — Generation Hope, a national nonprofit providing direct support and national advocacy and research for student parents in college, has officially launched its Scholar Program to support teen parents in Dallas. The organization will celebrate the expansion with a Launch Party on Friday, July 18, followed by a New Scholar Orientation on Saturday, July 19, welcoming new Scholars, their children, and their mentors.

As part of its Dallas debut, Generation Hope has recruited 16 teen parents pursuing college degrees and is currently matching them with community-based mentors to support their academic and personal success.

“Dallas has one of the highest teen birth rates among major U.S. cities, yet these parents remain largely invisible in pushes for college access,” said Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder & CEO of Generation Hope and author of Pregnant Girl. “We launched this program here because the need is urgent—and the opportunity for impact is immense. We’re not just rallying around individual students; we’re creating opportunities for their children and transforming a system that has left too many young families behind.”

Fewer than 2% of teen mothers earn a college degree before age 30, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Texas, 26 percent of all undergraduates, or 372,255 students, are parents and 158,936 college students are single mothers, and Dallas County reports one of the highest teen birth rates among major U.S. metros. These intersecting challenges disproportionately impact Black and Latine communities—amplifying the need for targeted support.

The Launch Party and Orientation offer unique access for media outlets to explore local and national issues in higher education through the lens of economic mobility, the achievement gap, and parenting. Interviews and live coverage opportunities are available with Nicole Lynn Lewis, Dallas community members supporting this work, and student parents who are working toward their degrees while raising children.

Generation Hope’s Scholar Program provides a two-generation model of support—offering one-on-one mentoring, tuition assistance, academic guidance, mental health resources, and career readiness guidance. 

WHEN:

  • Launch Party: Friday, July 18, 2025 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

  • Scholar Orientation: Saturday, July 19, 2025 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

  • Media Access Window: Both days, live interviews and photo/video welcome

WHERE:

  • Renaissance Dallas Hotel
    2222 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207

VISUALS / INTERVIEWS:

  • Nicole Lynn Lewis, available for interviews on-site

  • Young student parents

  • Mentors and education advocates

  • Photojournalism and live shots welcome 

Generation Hope is a nonprofit providing direct support and national advocacy and research for student parents in college.

For media RSVPs or to schedule interviews, contact:
Jay Shepley, Director of Communications
press@generationhope.org
(202) 735-1339
generationhope.org