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DALLAS — Asia Thompson has a story to tell and she’ll tell it to Congress on Thursday.

Thompson, 22, is a junior English/creative writing major at Misericordia University. She is able to attend college through Misericordia’s Ruth Matthews Bourger Women With Children Program, one of only eight programs in the U.S. that empowers economically-disadvantaged single mothers by providing the opportunity to complete a college degree, thereby creating brighter futures for themselves and their children.

Thompson has two children, ages 5 and 4. She said if it weren’t for the Women With Children program, she would not be able to afford college and would have little chance of improving life for herself and her kids.

She is one of just seven college students across the U.S. selected to address Congress and meet with congressional sub-committees about the need for programs like the one at Misericordia.

“I hope to be able to debunk the stigma attached to women in situations like my own,” Thompson said. “I want to tell Congress that people who receive benefits, like food stamps, really do want to improve themselves. If it weren’t for the Women With Children program, I wouldn’t be able to feed my children, pay my bills and get a college education.”

Katherine Pohlidal, director of the Women With Children Program at Misericordia, said the program started in 2000 by Sr. Jean Messaros, a Sister of Mercy and vice president of Mission Integration, and has grown significantly. Two buildings house participants in the program — the Pauly Friedman House and the Rasmussen House. To date, there are 20 graduates of the program.

Paul Krzywicki, assistant director of marketing and communications at Misericordia, said the program will expand to a third house for the 2016-17 academic year so additional single women with children will have an opportunity to realize their dream of earning a college degree.

Pohlidal said there are 10 families currently in the program — 10 moms and 12 children. The housing costs are free to the participants and the tuition is each student’s responsibility. Scholarships are available to help with tuition.

Thompson said the program has allowed her to provide a stable and safe environment for her and her children so she can focus on her studies without worry.

She and the other six participants will spend Thursday on Capitol Hill, meeting with various legislators and attending sub-committee meetings with members of Congress.

Thompson feels this is a great opportunity for her and the others.

“It’s important because I have a story to tell that brings home the reasons why these programs are important,” she said. “Before I entered this program, I was very young. By the time I was 18, I already had two children. It’s difficult to take care of them, pay rent and bills and assume the responsibilities of having a family.”

Thompson knew she had to do something to better herself so she could provide a better life for her kids.

She searched the Internet for programs that could help her and found the Women With Children program at Misericordia, falling in love with the campus when she visited.

“This program has improved us,” she said. “My children have bloomed; they have become better learners and they have become more sociable.”

Thompson’s career goal is to get her degree and pursue a Ph.D. A 4.0 student, she wants to one day be a college professor. Thompson is a 4.0 student.

According to information provided by Misericordia, Thompson was in an abusive relationship and left her boyfriend to seek a better life for her and her children.

While in Washington, D.C., Thompson and Pohlidal will be guests of the Center for American Progress, a think tank and lobbying group.

Asia Thompson talks with Katherine Pohlidal at the Rasmussen House at Misericordia University.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615Asia-Thompson-11.jpg.optimal.jpgAsia Thompson talks with Katherine Pohlidal at the Rasmussen House at Misericordia University. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Asia Thompson picks tomatoes from the garden at the Rasmussen House on the Misericordia University campus.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615Asia-Thompson-21.jpg.optimal.jpgAsia Thompson picks tomatoes from the garden at the Rasmussen House on the Misericordia University campus. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Asia Thompson talks with Katherine Pohlidal while picking kale at the Rasmussen House garden at Misericordia University.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL100615Asia-Thompson-31.jpg.optimal.jpgAsia Thompson talks with Katherine Pohlidal while picking kale at the Rasmussen House garden at Misericordia University. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.