The SHE MATTERS report demonstrated that women and girls’ greatest barrier to economic self-sufficiency in Dubuque is childcare. Women need an affordable, safe place for their children so they can focus on working or completing their education. St. Mark addresses this with before and after school and all day summer program options at four of Dubuque’s at-risk, Title 1 elementary schools, and a rural after school program at Peosta Elementary. The overall goal of this project is to teach single mothers and girls social emotional skills, surround them with trusting mentors to practice and hone those skills, and equip them with tools needed to effectively implement what they learn.
