Odyssey
The Odyssey Project offers UW–Madison humanities classes for adult students facing economic barriers to college. The majority of Odyssey Course participants are overcoming the obstacles of single parenthood, homelessness, addiction, the justice system, mental health challenges, and/or domestic violence.
Odyssey students report transformative outcomes, and some have even continued their education to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students also say that they read more to their children, feel that they are better parents and advocates for their children in school, have more hope about their own futures, and are more likely to vote and become involved in their communities.
The Office of Child Care & Family Resource supports Odyssey parenting students by subsidizing their evening child care program and providing childrens’ school supplies and educational materials such as toys, books, and games.
“With OCCFR’s annual support, we are able to send every child to school with a backpack full of school supplies, build a staff of highly experienced educators, and engage children with new materials to foster their love of learning!”
– Gwendolyn, Odyssey Junior Manager