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The One Who Stayed

By: Ja’vonte Burley and Marrell Robinson

OVERVIEW

Single parenting refers to raising a child or children without the ongoing support of a partner. This situation may arise from divorce, seperation, death of a partner, single adoption or choosing parent. Independently, Over 26,000 families in Cleveland are headed by single parents

Badger Institute. (2025, January 21)

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

In Cleveland, just 33% of children live with married-couple families—much lower than the Ohio statewide average of 68%, indicating a high prevalence of single-parent households (FRED, 2024) Single-parent households more often residents in high-risk neighborhoods due to economic constraints, raising concerns about children’s safety and stability Nationwide data suggests cities like Cleveland can see upwards of 75% of kids in single-parent homes (Badger Institute, 2025)

OBJECTIVES

  • Increase access to affordable childcare, job training and employment opportunities for single parents.

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  • Provide parenting work and mental health support services to improve emotional well-being and parenting skills.

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  • Expand access to healthcare physical and mental for both parent and child through local clinics and Medicaid enrollment.

WHAT WE LEARNED

Thank you for your investment in our Youth Leaders: City of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University Sears think[box]; DigitalC; RPM International Inc.; CHN Housing Partners; Ratner Family Foundation; Youth Opportunities Unlimited; Cleveland EMS; The Vanguards of Cleveland & Cleveland Fire; Kimberly Inthavong of Seven Ways To Live; Mary Nazimiec; Kevin Ringer; and Tasty Treasures.

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PROPOSED SOLUTION

  • Increase funding for subsidized child care through local partnerships (e.g., with YMCA, Head Start, or Cuyahoga County programs).
  • Support the expansion of 24-hour child care centers for parents working irregular shifts.
  • Create community-based childcare co-ops in high-need neighborhoods.

SPECIAL THANKS

  • Single parenting shows how crucial extended family, friends, community services and even workplaces are in helping raise a child.

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  • Single parents often become masters at managing limited time and finances.

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  • Different parenting structures affect child development, behavior and self-esteem.

SOURCES

https://www.aecf.org/blog/child-well-being-in-single-parent-families

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https://ifstudies.org/ifs-admin/resources/reports/zill-ohio-cities-crime-poverty-brief.pdf?utm_source=cha

tgpt.com

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/S1101SPHOUSE039035

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https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/family-dynamics/single-parent-family/amp