Parents Without Partners was founded in 1957 in New York City by two single parents: Jim Egleson, a noncustodial parent, and Jacqueline Bernard, a custodial parent.

As concerned parents, they felt isolated from society because of their marital status, and decided to form a mutual support organization. Following their first newspaper advertisements directed to "Parents Without Partners", 25 single parents attended the first meeting in a Greenwich Village church basement. Later, media attention brought inquiries from all over the country.

Parents Without Partners, Inc. is now the largest international, nonprofit membership organization devoted to the welfare and interests of single parents and their children. Single parents may join one of approximately 400 chapters; they may be male or female, custodial or noncustodial, separated, divorced, widowed or never-married.

What Do Chapters and Chapter Members Do?

• Chapters range in size from 25 to 1,500 members
• Chapters are run entirely by volunteer members who assume a variety of leadership roles
• All chapters, to comply with their PWP charters, run programs balanced among three areas: Family activities, Educational activities, and Adult Social/Recreational activities
• Family Activities may include holiday activities, potluck suppers, fun and educational outings, picnics, hikes, camping, bowling, etc. for children and their parents. These activities may be unique in that they are the one place where children can be alone with other single parent children
• Educational Activities may be group discussions, lectures by psychologists, lawyers and other professionals, study groups, training seminars, leadership and personal growth opportunities
• Adult Social/Recreational Activities help single parents learn to relate again with other adults as single persons
• Chapters may also conduct community service programs. These include community outreach (speakers for seminars and workshops in the community), fund raising for national or local charities, or cooperative exchanges (such as baby-sitting, clothing, or toy exchanges)
• Chapters are organized under Regional Councils, which coordinate programs and sponsor conferences
• Chapters and Regional Councils are organized into Zones, which elect directors and hold conferences.

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Benefits of an International Organization

As an international organization, Parents Without Partners offers the following services to all members:

Advocacy: PWP speaks for all single parents and their children at conferences, in national coalitions, and in workshops. The International Board of Directors supports legislative policies and priorities to further the interests of single parent families.

An International Convention: Every year, members conduct organization business and elections, and attend workshops on both single parenting subjects and on how to run PWP programs at the chapter level. Children and adults may receive special awards for arts and talent.

Organization Awards: A number of awards are available at many levels of the organization in the areas of Community Relations, Family and Youth, Membership, Program, Legislative Action, and the Distinguished Service to Children Award to a person or group that has made a great contribution to children and teens.

Scholarships: Applicants must be dependent children, up to twenty-five (25) years of age, of PWP members. They must be (1) in the senior class of any high school and must plan to enter and have applied to a school of higher education for the following year OR (2) be an undergraduate student at a college or trade school.

Free Subscription to Single Parent Magazine: Published quarterly by International

Medical Plan Discounts:

Members Only Forums – Online members worldwide can communicate and share ideas in our members only section of our website.

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