Singled out

Name: Juliana Park

Year: 4th Year

Major: Public Policy

Growing up, I always felt like an anomaly - I often found myself being the only student from a single-parent household in both the schools I attended and in the communities I was raised in. My mom would be the only mother at "Donuts with Dad" --- fast forward ten years later --- I wish that I could go back in time and tell grade school-me that there's no need to be embarrassed. That one day you'll realize that there are a lot of people like you: resilient and hardworking, who were also raised by single parents. That it will not always be easy, but it will always be worth working your tail off so that one day you can give the world to the parent that made you their world.

At UCR, I've found that many of my peers are very much *like me* - it is humbling and special to know that so many of us are who we are because of the support given and the sacrifices that were made for us by a parent/guardian. Everything that I am is because of my mother. I owe all of my past, present, and future accomplishments to my single-parent!

#whotellsyourstory #singleparent