Sometimes changing a future begins with someone seeing what you’re capable of—and believing in you before you fully believe in yourself.
That is part of Sasha Allaer’s story with HOPE for Single Moms.
Sasha first came to HOPE as a single mother pursuing her college education. Through our College & Trades Program, she found resources to help her continue her education, but she also found something harder to put a price on: a mentor who recognized her potential.
That mentor was HOPE for Single Moms founder and Executive Director Dr. Carla Sasha describes the impact this way:
“I’ve often been underestimated in a lot of situations. Honestly, I don’t think I ever really gave myself a chance. When I met Carla, her love and belief in me, her trust and her recognizing my potential changed the way I see myself.”
Sasha thought her journey with HOPE would simply help her earn her degree. Instead, it helped her discover a new direction.
“I thought I was going to just go back to college and get my degree, but through this program I feel like I have found my life’s purpose. I know exactly who I am now and finally feel unafraid to take up space and show the world what I’m capable of.”
From Receiving Opportunity to Creating It
Today, Sasha is HOPE for Single Moms’ Program Director and serves as Director of Training and curriculum developer for HOPE Workforce Institute.
Now she is creating opportunities for other women.
Through HOPE Workforce Institute, Sasha helps single mothers develop workplace and life skills, prepare for living-wage careers and, for some, pursue entrepreneurship.
The woman who once came to HOPE looking for support is now helping other women recognize what they are capable of.
That is the ripple effect of opportunity.
And opportunity can begin in many ways—a laptop for college, help with tuition or textbooks, career guidance, workforce training, a paid internship or support during a difficult month.
Sometimes, it begins with a mentor saying, “I believe in you.”
When those resources are combined with a woman’s own determination and a community that believes in her future, something much bigger can happen.
Celebrating Courage. Creating Opportunity.
On October 22, Sasha and other remarkable women from HOPE for Single Moms will be part of the Walk of HOPE at Fashion for a Future 2026 at the Goei Center.
They’ll walk the runway as college graduates, students, workforce graduates and entrepreneurs—and living examples of what can happen when courage meets opportunity.
Join us for an evening of fashion, food and fun while helping create opportunities for the next woman ready to transform her future.
GET YOUR FASHION FOR A FUTURE TICKETS
Because sometimes changing a future begins with someone saying:
“I see what you’re capable of.”