Denver, Colorado - November 24, 2025 - PRESSADVANTAGE -

SplitSimple, a Denver-based divorce mediation service, has awarded its 2025 Social Work Scholarship to Jessica Starkes, recognizing her exceptional commitment to supporting families and communities through challenging transitions. The scholarship program reflects the company’s ongoing dedication to fostering the next generation of social work professionals who share its values of compassionate support, dignity, and constructive conflict resolution.

Starkes, whose academic journey and professional service have distinguished her among numerous qualified applicants, will receive financial support to advance her social work education. Her selection highlights her profound empathy and dedication to helping families navigate difficult life transitions—values that align closely with SplitSimple’s mission in divorce mediation.

2025 Social Work Scholarship winner Jessica Starkes

“My journey toward social work has been shaped by both personal experiences and professional commitments that have profoundly impacted my life,” Starkes wrote in her application essay. “Over the past six years, I have worked as a program manager in an emergency homeless shelter, providing support to unhoused individuals facing crises.”

Through her work, Starkes has seen firsthand the resilience of individuals confronting immense challenges, from homelessness to addiction and trauma.

“Each story is different, yet they are tied together by a common theme of systemic barriers that make it nearly impossible to recover without support,” she shared. “These experiences have inspired me to strengthen my skills and knowledge to make an even greater impact—not only on people, but also on the systems that affect them.”

Chris Griffith, CEO of SplitSimple, praised Starkes for her compassion and purpose-driven approach to social work:

“Jessica Starkes represents the future of compassionate social work practice. Her approach to supporting families during times of crisis mirrors our own philosophy of helping couples find cooperative solutions during divorce proceedings,” Griffith said. “We believe that investing in students like Jessica strengthens the entire support network available to families facing challenging transitions.”

Starkes’ essay also revealed the deeply personal motivations that fuel her professional ambitions. As a survivor of domestic violence and addiction, and as a mother who has experienced the profound loss of a child to suicide, her story is one of resilience and transformation.

“The death of my teenage daughter to suicide was the most painful experience I have ever faced, but it also reshaped my sense of purpose,” Starkes wrote. “Losing her taught me that mental health support and advocacy for families in crisis is not optional—it is a matter of life and death.”

Her perspective as a single mother of a child with special needs further informs her advocacy for equitable access to education and family resources.

“Navigating the school system, advocating for accommodations, and balancing full-time work with caregiving responsibilities has taught me perseverance and resilience,” she said. “It has also opened my eyes to how many families struggle in silence when they lack the knowledge, resources, or confidence to advocate for themselves.”

The SplitSimple Social Work Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who demonstrates both academic excellence and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for families and communities. Selection criteria emphasize practical experience, academic achievement, and a clear vision for contributing to the social work field upon graduation.

Starkes’ academic work focuses on family systems, conflict resolution, and the development of support resources for children and parents during family transitions—all areas directly relevant to SplitSimple’s mission of constructive mediation.

“This scholarship represents more than financial support; it validates the importance of approaching family challenges with empathy and professionalism,” Griffith added. “Jessica’s work in understanding family dynamics and promoting healthy communication strategies will undoubtedly benefit countless families in the future.”

The award comes at a time when demand for qualified social workers continues to grow nationwide—particularly those specializing in family services, mediation, and mental health support. Through this scholarship, SplitSimple continues to invest in the future of family well-being and social service leadership.

Beyond its scholarship program, SplitSimple remains committed to education and community outreach, regularly providing resources that help couples understand their options for amicable, child-focused divorce resolutions.

SplitSimple offers divorce mediation services throughout Denver and surrounding Colorado communities, including uncontested divorce assistance, alimony and child support negotiations, equitable asset division, and all document preparation to finalize the divorce with the courts. With an emphasis on cooperation and communication, SplitSimple helps couples reach mutually beneficial agreements while minimizing the emotional and financial strain of traditional divorce proceedings.

For more information about SplitSimple’s services or scholarship opportunities, visit www.splitsimple.com.

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For more information about SplitSimple, contact the company here:

SplitSimple
Chris Griffith
(855)665-9920
[email protected]
1624 Market St #202
Denver, CO 80202

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