Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
2024 Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference celebrates trio of award winners
WEST CHESTER >> Scores of women attended the Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference on Saturday, title sponsored for a 10th consecutive year by Benchmark Federal Credit Union, as the event honored three extraordinary single mothers who have overcome adversity and are active in their communities.
Organized by the Chester County Community Collaborative with the support of more than 50 volunteers, the 2024 Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference was free to all single moms and included free childcare and lunch at Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center in downtown West Chester.
“In this Summer Olympics year, we provided programming to help single moms endure their personal marathons,” said Conference Co-Chairs Guillermina Rios and Shavon Phipps. “Single mothers do not always have the support systems and resources they need to succeed, and this conference helps bridge that critical gap through workshops, connections and rewards.”
Attendees had their choice of eight workshops covering legal insights, insurance expertise, computer skills and scams awareness, as well as a financial literacy workshop by Benchmark Federal Credit Union. Additional programming included a self-care lounge, a Community Connections resource fair, pampering and workshops focused on physical and mental well-being.
“After a very rainy week, the sun was certainly shining on the Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference, and we have been honored to help ensure that this event is free to all single mothers for a decade,” said Rebecca Worthington, Benchmark Federal Credit Union’s Vice President of Community Relations.
The prestigious Belinda Harrison Award was presented, honoring a working single mom who has overcome adversity and is active in her community. This year’s Belinda Harrison Award winner is Jasmine Jones. First runner up is Diane Bonifacino and second runner up is Alaysia Hawkins.
Jones was nominated by North Star of Chester County, as a single mother who grew up in West Chester and was educated in the West Chester Area School District. While attending Cheyney University, she gave birth to her first of two children and was able to complete her studies in Political Science. She experienced challenging periods when housing, income and employment were less than ideal, but always maintained full-time employment and worked through obstacles to become a role model of what hard work and self-sufficiency can achieve. Jones, a volunteer track coach, became a participant in the North Star of Chester County program that coached her and helped her find scholarship funds. After a 10year hiatus to focus on her family, Jones completed her graduate studies at American University Washington College of Law and graduated in December 2023. Her children are honors students and excel in sports.
Sponsors of the Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference include title sponsor Benchmark Federal Credit Union; empowering sponsor and host YMCA of Greater Brandywine; encouraging sponsor Jefferson Health Plans, engaging sponsors Pearls of Wisdom Foundation, PentaHealth and the Wardrobe/Wings for Success; and impact grant award provider The Fund for Women & Girls. Two of West Chester’s fotary clubs and more than 25 other organizations also provided valuable community services and support.
The Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference extends special thanks to all workshop presenters who volunteered their time, including: Rebecca Worthington, Benchmark Federal Credit Union; Deborah Steeves, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, PA; Chaniera Stewart, Uncommon Women; Sophia Zouras, Wings for Success; Sharon Dickinson and Rachelle Riley, past Belinda Harrison Award winners; Martina Martin, former insurance professional; Michelle Hang, RSVP; Nikky Richardson, FreeNikk Healing Arts LLC.
More information on the Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference can be found at https://singlemotherscc.org/. Follow the Chester County Single Mothers’ Conference on Facebook and Instagram @SingleMothersCC #SingleMothersCC.