September 8, 2025
Stopping Divorce-Driven Poverty: A Utah Initiative with National Impact
Divorce doesn’t just end a marriage—it often pushes women and children into financial crisis. In Utah and across the nation, divorce-driven poverty leaves single mothers struggling to provide for their families while navigating overwhelming barriers to employment, childcare, and stability. The InPowered Program, co-created by Carrie Hill and Utah Valley University, is breaking that cycle by creating real pathways from poverty to prosperity.
The Scope of the Problem in Utah
The numbers are sobering:
- In 2021, 70,647 single-parent families lived in Utah, with 69.2% led by single mothers.
- A single parent with one child needs $40.44/hour to meet basic living needs in Utah (Living Wage Calculator).
- Nationally, one in three single mothers lives in poverty—double the rate of their married counterparts.
Beyond finances, the toll is deeply personal. Single mothers experience higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression, while children often face academic and emotional struggles tied to instability at home.
InPowered: Turning Setbacks into Strength
The InPowered Program offers a seven-week career essentials course for single mothers in financial crisis. It’s not just training—it’s transformation.
Participants gain:
- Tech and business skills (Microsoft Office, CRM, AI tools)
- Resume-building and professional communication coaching
- Interview preparation and mock employer sessions
- Connections to real jobs through a placement agency launching in 2025
By the time they graduate, participants don’t just have new skills—they have a direct path into employment that provides income, benefits, and dignity.
The Mental Health and Family Stability Impact
Unemployment and welfare reliance increase the risk of stress, neglect, and poor family outcomes. By equipping single mothers with sustainable employment, InPowered helps:
- Improve maternal mental health by reducing chronic stress
- Strengthen child well-being by providing stability at home
- Lower risks of abuse and neglect tied to financial hardship
- Foster long-term resilience for families
This isn’t just about jobs—it’s about breaking cycles that harm generations.
The Role of Employers and Partners
What makes InPowered unique is its bridge to the business community. Employers in Utah are invited to:
- Sponsor a candidate’s tuition ($456 per participant)
- Join the placement agency for priority access to motivated graduates
- Align hiring with social impact goals that strengthen the local community
Employers save on recruitment fees while gaining dedicated, career-ready employees. Families gain security. Communities gain strength.
From Local Roots to National Model
While InPowered began in Utah, its mission resonates far beyond state lines. Divorce-driven poverty is a national issue, and the program offers a scalable model for addressing it—one rooted in resilience, opportunity, and community partnerships.
Divorce-driven poverty doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With the right support, training, and employer connections, single mothers can move from surviving to thriving. The InPowered Program proves that when communities invest in women, everyone benefits.



