Club supports singles

    Just when single parents thought they had to battle school alone, single parenting support arrived on South Campus.
   Every Thursday, 1-2 p.m., Lilia Cavio-Calzada, counselor, holds a single parenting meeting on South Campus in the SUB Bluebonnet Room.
   Through her work with Women in New Roles, Calzada recognized the need for such a group.
   "There were single parents who told me about their problems. That's how I knew I needed to target the needs of the single parents," she said.
   Calzada said the meetings are not targeted for women only.
   Even though the group is open to males, Calzada admitted she really does not expect men to attend. This past semester no men attended any of the meetings, but she hopes more people will attend this semester.
   Calzada has definite goals for the group participants
   "I want them to get encouragement and support to continue their education," she said.
   Last year's students seemed to benefit from the group, Calzada said.
   "It [the support group] allowed them to see that other people are in the same situation," she said. "Discouragement comes with feeling alone, so knowing that there are others like them provides them with upliftance."
   This past semester the group covered topics such as balancing roles, handling a relationship as a single parent, leaving children and not feeling guilty and pitching in with chores. Calzada said the women were open with their thoughts and ideas and brought a lot of experiences to the discussions.
   Calzada said anyone can attend, even if not a single parent. This semester's first session is Thursday, Sept. 11, 1-2 p.m. in the SUB Bluebonnet Room on South Campus.
   For more information about the single parent meetings, contact Calzada in the South Campus counseling office at 817-515-4735.