The Care Center is home to the nation’s first college for young mothers and low-income women.
At Bard Microcollege Holyoke, small groups of women participate in daytime classes to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Bard College. Experienced professors teach the classes onsite at The Care Center.
The college is open to low-income women living in the Holyoke, Springfield, or Chicopee area who have a high school diploma or equivalency (GED/HiSET). Students invest their time, effort, and energy into the program. Scholarships and grants cover tuition and books—the degree is free. We also provide transportation, child care, and meals.
Bard College and The Care Center worked together to design this unique program.
It builds on the knowledge Bard developed over two decades running programs like the acclaimed Bard Prison Initiative and The Care Center’s experience providing quality education to low-income women. It also incorporates The Care Center’s understanding of how to help women succeed when they’re facing the challenges of poverty. Support such as daycare, transportation, meals, and individual attention help remove barriers that young mothers face in traditional college settings.
To learn more, visit the Facebook page or contact Ann Ward, Bard Microcollege Holyoke program director at award@bard.edu
