Real Life Impact of Research

AASF has proof that social science research can lead to real-life results. At its 2001 Success Summit, AASF showcased the results of a study it helped to fund that examined the attitudes and behaviors that helped former teen mothers who were on welfare get off the system and go on to complete high school, college, as well as graduate school.

Today these women are all accomplished professionals, and many flew in from around the country to participate in last year’s Success Summit and to provide first-hand accounts of the strategies they used to become successful. At the end of the conference, they expressed concern that there was no organization composed of others like them to serve as role models and mentors for welfare recipients who wanted to become economically self-sufficient and get ahead in life. They asked the Foundation to take action and AASF President Dr. E. Carol Webster, who is a practicing psychologist, reminded them that they had the power to make a difference and challenged them to take the action themselves.

They did.

This year, AASF is proud to introduce the community to a new national organization called Women and Welfare that is composed of professional women who were all former welfare recipients. South Florida resident, Ms. Robbie Bell, is the organization’s first President and, together with other representatives of Women and Welfare,  provided information about its mission and initial objectives at the Success Summit so that they can identify women with similar backgrounds who want to help welfare recipients replicate their success. Click below to meet the leadership of this organization and to let them know if you'd like to get involved.

• Ms. Robbie Bell, President

• Dr. Jacqueline Phillips-Farr    

• Ms. Angela White