JP Alumni Fellow Story: Amanda Smith

The 2023-2024 Jeremiah Program Alumni Fellows, each many years removed from their time as JP moms, are using their experiences, expertise, and stories to advocate for other single moms and their families. This is Amanda Smith’s story.

After my parents divorced, I watched my mom struggle as a single mom. She did not have an education beyond high school and often had to work two or three jobs to make ends meet. She worked hard to keep our home, but we never had extra money for new clothes or in-style shoes. I was very shy and quiet, and we didn’t have the money to do a lot of things. This combination made me feel excluded and sometimes left out. As I think back on that time, our lives could have been so much more secure if we had had someone looking out for us and advocating for us. In time, I learned just how important that is.

At 17 years old, I had just graduated high school and was not sure what I was supposed to do next. I decided that I didn’t want to work at my high school fast food job forever, so the next logical step would be college. As the first in my family to go to college, I blindly went in and applied to the University of Minnesota and figured out how to complete the FAFSA and application materials. Soon after I started college, things took a surprising turn when I became pregnant with my daughter Lucy. I went through my first year of college pregnant. I worked two jobs, one at the student union and one at the library, and saved any spare cash I had for when my daughter was born. Living in a tiny apartment just outside of a dinky town, I did not have a car but would walk to and from campus to go to classes and work. As a pregnant young mom, I would often leave my student union job late at night and walk from campus across the 35W bridge and back to my apartment, often in the snow or rain, all the time thinking, I am doing this for my baby girl and to give her the best life possible.

A few weeks after I finished my first year of college, I woke up one morning with lower back pain and headed to the hospital. My beautiful, healthy, 7-pound, 1-ounce baby girl was born less than an hour later. I remember the doctor lifting her up and placing her on my chest. I felt her warm body weight and instantly knew I was going to do whatever I had to do to give her a good life: send her to a good school, provide her with stuff she needs and stuff she wants, make sure she enjoys extracurricular activities, and have a nice home.

After having Lucy, I struggled to stay in school, work, and raise a baby as a young mom. I spent hours each day driving Lucy to my grandma’s house so she could babysit her and then going to classes and working just enough to pay for gas. I knew I wanted something more for myself and for my daughter. I wanted to have a career, I wanted to give my daughter good opportunities, and I wanted to enjoy life.

I hope my story will help people realize just how powerful single moms are and how valuable they are as the leaders of their families, in their communities, and in the world.

I learned about the Jeremiah Program from the student parent help center at the University of Minnesota. I soon learned that they were building a campus in St. Paul, and I got myself signed up for Empowerment and Leadership classes, which was the first step to becoming a Jeremiah mom. I watched as the apartment building was built and grew more and more excited for the day when we could move in. When the day finally came, I was so happy to finally have a space that was just for my daughter and me — a place I could afford, a place where I could focus on school and improving myself — and my life became significantly easier by having daycare right there. The Jeremiah Program not only provided me the stability to achieve this but also gave me skills that have helped me for years to come.

I graduated from the U of M with my bachelor’s degree in child psychology and then went on to law school. I had my twins during my first year of law school and some people thought I was crazy, but I felt confident in my ability to do hard things because I had done hard things before. From a young age, I always had a soft spot for children. I babysat often and felt maternal toward my younger sister and younger cousins. The Jeremiah program helped support my child and me while I pursued an education, which has allowed me to have the legal expertise to support and advocate for other families and children.

I remember all the busy mornings when my kids were young — waking them up early, getting everyone to daycare, and getting to work on time — and how difficult it was just getting through each day. At the time, I thought to myself, If I keep working hard each day, eventually things are going to be easier. Many days, I wake up in the morning, relax with some coffee, reflect on how my mornings used to be, and wonder how I did it. I am so proud of how far I have come since then.

Today, my life looks much different. Lucy is now a college freshman at the University of Minnesota Duluth. My twins are thriving middle schoolers. Today, I am in control of my schedule. I enjoy working from home and being able to take care of my kids the way I want to be able to. I feel connected to my community and excited for the future. I was able to purchase my first home several years ago and now own a second home and have a rental property. I am looking forward to investing in more properties and finding more opportunities to feel even more in control of my time and my schedule. I am learning more and more each year and am so excited to find out what’s next. I feel empowered knowing that I have interrupted the cycle of poverty for my kids, my stepkids, and my grandkids to come.

I hope my story will help people realize just how powerful single moms are and how valuable they are as the leaders of their families, in their communities, and in the world. Investing in and advocating for single moms and children is well worth it.

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