United Way Prosperity Center - 2014 Leadership Frederick Class
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LEADERS
ON LOAN PROJECT
United Way
Prosperity
Center
2014 Leadership
Frederick Class
Table of Contents
Objective ..........................................................................................................................................1
Collective Impact .............................................................................................................................2
Research ...........................................................................................................................................3
Recommended Activities .................................................................................................................7
Measurement Matrix ........................................................................................................................8
Timeline ...........................................................................................................................................9
Prosperity Center Interviews: Appendix A ...................................................................................11
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
1
Objective
Per the memorandum of understanding entered into by the Leaders on Loan (LOL) team and the
United Way of Frederick County (United Way), the LOL Team developed the following
deliverables in connection with the United Way’s expressed interest in developing a prosperity
center to serve Frederick County:
1. List of evidence based activities that have been successful for other prosperity center programs.
2. Comparison of the list of prosperity center programs with other services in Frederick County
(to avoid duplication of service offerings).
3. Timeline for implementation of the overall program.
4. Matrix with measurement tools to be able to gauge performance and sustainability.
While there is no singular definition of a prosperity center, they are generally known as cohesive
partnerships amongst charitable organizations that function to improve the lives of the people they
serve by counseling and empowering them to improve their financial situations, obtain additional
education and employment skills and obtain other necessary services such as housing, health
services, and childcare. The prosperity centers reviewed in the LOL team research revolved
around a core or “back bone” organization which managed cases and outcomes for the people
served, coordinated the efforts of other agencies, and filled in necessary gaps in service offerings.
Many prosperity centers throughout the country are run by other United Ways.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
2Collective Impact
The term Collective Impact was first articulated by John Kania and Mark Kramer of FSG (Foundation
Strategy Group) in the 2011 Stanford Social Innovation Review Article – “Collective Impact.” Collective
Impact asserts that in order for organizations to create lasting solutions to social problems on a large-scale,
they need to coordinate their efforts and work together around a clearly defined goal. This is in contrast to
isolated impact, where organizations primarily work alone to solve social problems and compete for the
same resources. There are five conditions under the collective impact framework:
Common Agenda: All participants (government agencies, non-profits, community members, etc.) have a
shared vision for social change that includes a common understanding of the problem and a joint
approach to solving the problem through agreed upon actions.
Shared Measurement System: Collecting data and measuring results consistently across all participants
ensures efforts remain aligned and participants hold each other accountable.
Mutually Reinforcing Activities: Participant activities must be differentiated while still being
coordinated through a mutually reinforcing plan of action
Continuous Communication: Consistent and open communication is needed across the many players to
build trust, assure mutual objectives, and increase common motivation
Backbone Organization: Creating and managing collective impact requires a separate organization with
staff and a specific set of skills to serve as the backbone for the entire initiative and coordinate
participating organizations and agencies.
The United Way of Frederick County’s Prosperity Center is uniquely poised to serve as the “backbone”
organization that is a fundamental component of striving for social change through collective impact. The
United Way has been operating in Frederick County for nearly 75 years under the mission of leveraging
resources, businesses, experts and other service providers to advance the common good under the belief
that the essence of a prepared workforce and stable economy rests on collective success in the areas of
education, income and health. The development of the Prosperity Center is the employment of a new model
of achieving these goals by leveraging the resources of the United Way and engaging partner organizations
in a meaningful and coordinated way.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
3Research
Prosperity Center Research
The LOL team interviewed four prosperity centers from various areas in the country in order to
find out what programs they offer, the programs that are successful for them, what they identify as
essential to their success and other information relevant to the United Way of Frederick County’s
development of the Prosperity Center. Significant observations and information are noted below.
Prosperity Center of Winston Salem, NC (Goodwill Industries of NWNC)
- The Prosperity Center is a collaboration between Goodwill Industries of NWNC,
Consumer Credit Counseling, Experiment in Self Reliance and Family Services Ways to
Work. They also refer to other partner organizations in the community depending on the
needs of the client.
- Not intended to be a one-stop-shop, rather to be seamless and provide clients with a
Prosperity Coach who would review their situation and help them develop and work a plan
to meet their goals.
- Clients are on-boarded in a process that includes a welcome session with vocational and
financial staff that includes information on various services offered, intake session, basic
vocational assessment, 4 sessions of financial literacy, a one-on-one session with a certified
financial counselor, and three vocational sessions. The client must agree to participate in
each of the sessions since the services are administered as part of a program. The focus of
services is on financial and vocational development.
- They rely on other local partners for resources such as computers, supplies and seminars.
- The Prosperity Center is mostly marketed by word of mouth, but also through all of their
partner organizations.
- The center is successful because it is unique in offering a set of services tailored to help
individuals who want to help themselves gain the tools needed to achieve financial
stability. Without the Prosperity Center the people served would have had to visit multiple
agencies.
- Success is measured in various ways, many of which are included within an outcomes
matrix.
Long Island Prosperity Center Funded by Citi (United Way)
- The Prosperity Center is funded by Citi and facilitated by the United Way.
- The program is not centered, but is a mobile program that goes out to meet people in need.
They go to schools, libraries, senior centers, and other places to make their services known
and accessible.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
4Research (continued)
Prosperity Center Research (continued)
- The provide incentives, such as $25 gift cards donated by local grocery stores, to people
who attend their seminars.
- Offer a several programs focused on financial literacy and vocational programs such as:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation, assist with completing
FAFSA applications, workplace campaigns, partnering with local banks for establishing
bank accounts, employment services, and assistance in finding affordable childcare
services. They also work with Project Warmth to assist with utility bills and Neighborhood
Works to help people find affordable housing.
Trident United Way of Charleston, SC, Prosperity Center (United Way)
- The Prosperity Center is a function of three core partnerships; The United Way, Goodwill,
and Family Services. These partners are responsible for staffing, funding and providing a
building. They have partnerships with other agencies as well.
- Each of the core partners has a focus: United Way – access to benefits through a web based
software called Benefit Bank (FAFSA prep, SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid and Tax Prep),
Goodwill – workforce and employment services, Family Services – foreclosure prevention,
1st time homebuyer assistance, financial education, reverse mortgage programs.
Eugene Oregon Prosperity Center (United Way)
- Their primary goal is to help those in poverty become self-sufficient.
- They have four prosperity planners (like coaches), who serve 250 member.
- Utilize partnerships with social service agencies, charities, churches and businesses.
- Services center on financial, vocational and basic needs.
- They initially met resistance from partners because many of them felt that they already
offered the services that the Prosperity Center would be offering. They were able to prove
the value of centralizing the services to the partners and win them over. They have now
developed strong partnerships, which also serve as a referral base.
- Prosperity center planners meet with each of the members once per week or every other
week for half an hour. They review the member’s plan and set steps to be completed
between meetings.
- Their internal metrics tell them that 30% of their members go from poverty to self-
sufficient within one year and 80% go from poverty to self-sufficient within two years.
The LOL team’s complete interview notes are included at Appendix A, Prosperity Center
Interviews.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
5Research (continued)
Needs in Frederick County
A review of services in Frederick County shows that there is significant overlap of services
provided in the areas of health care, shelter, employment and training, youth and financial stability.
While many of these agencies cover all of Frederick City or Frederick County, they may be
stronger in reaching particular population demographics or geographic areas.
Financial
Health Care Shelter Employment & Training Youth Stability
M ental Outside
M edical Dental Health Financial Affordable Housing Homeless Energy Job Adult Child School School Tax Financial
Care Services Care Assistance Housing Counseling Service Assistance Search Literacy/ELL GED Care Transit M entors Readiness Activities Prep Literacy
Government
Agencies
Frederick Community
Action Agency X X X X X X X X X X
Frederick County
Department of Social
Services X X X X X X
Frederick County
X X X X
Health Department
Frederick County
X X
Workforce Services
Frederick County
X X X X X X
Family Partnership
Frederick Community
X X X
College
Frederick County
X X X X
Public Schools
Transit
Literacy Council of
X
Frederick County
Child Advocacy Center
of X
Frederick County, Inc.
Frederick County
Infants & Toddlers X
Program
X
Purchase of Care (POC)
Internal Revenue
Services, Frederick X
County Office
Nonprofits
Mental Health
X
Association
Way Station X X X X X X X
Frederick Rescue
X X X X
Mission
Children of
X
Incarcerated Parents
YMCA of Frederick
X X X X X X X
County
Family Partnership of
X X X X X X X
Frederick County
X X
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Habitat for Humanity X X X
Housing Authority of
X X X
the City of Frederick
Hope Alive, Inc. X X
Interfaith Housing
X X X X
Alliance
Mission of Mercy X X X X
Religious Coalition for
Emergency Human X X X X X
Needs
Salvation Army X X X
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
6Research (continued)
Needs in Frederick County (continued)
These service providers operate in the key service offering areas that are central to the mission of
the Prosperity Center and may be potential partner organization for the Prosperity Center.
Even given the presence of such resources within Frederick County, and Frederick’s position as
an affluent county (median household income of nearly $81,000), approximately 16,000 people in
the County are considered to be working poor, with 10,500 of those being under the poverty line
(classified as income of under $11,136 for an individual or a family of four earning less than
$22,314).
The Community Foundation’s 2011 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment takes a
demographic snapshot of Frederick County and identifies existing needs, existing services and
gaps in services offered. The priority areas identified are health needs, youth needs and basic
needs. Additional needs include services for senior citizens, services for individuals with
disabilities, crisis response services, cultural competence, child neglect and abuse and others.
While not exhaustive, the most significant needs within the priority areas are as follows:
Health
- Affordable health care
- Medical home
- Mental health care
Basic Needs
- Affordable housing
- Supportive housing
- Homeless services
Youth
- Caring adults in the lives of youth
- School readiness
- Outside-of-school activities
Given the interrelatedness of these three priority areas and the need for income to meet these needs
the following three subcategories were identified under jobs and job supports as well: adult
literacy, affordable high-quality child care, and public transportation.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
7Recommended Activities
Based on research performed around activities that have been successful for other prosperity centers and
on the services most needed in Frederick County, we recommend that the Prosperity Center act as the
coordinating body for providing the following services:
Financial
‐ Financial education and counseling
‐ Budgeting, managing expenses and debt management
‐ Free tax preparation
‐ Monitoring and improving credit
‐ Early financial education outreach
‐ Retirement planning
‐ College savings plans
‐ Housing assistance (including utility and repair needs)
‐ Foreclosure prevention
‐ Home purchase assistance
Employment
‐ Education and training – GED classes, teach literacy, financial aid and post-secondary education
counseling
‐ Job search and coaching
‐ Resume preparation and review, mock interviews
‐ Basic computer skills training
‐ English as a second language (ESL) training
Health and Wellness
‐ Assist individual with obtaining access to the following programs: Medicare and Medicaid,
Affordable Care Act Healthcare Marketplace, Social Security SSI and SSDI
‐ Access to healthcare resources within the community
‐ Access to childcare services
These service areas are centered around meeting basic needs, increasing skill sets, increasing income and
increasing the potential of gaining and sustaining assets for the people served by the prosperity center.
These services also correlate with the most significant needs identified in Frederick County in the 2011
Community Foundation Frederick County Needs Assessment. Offering these services under a managed
program, such as that provided by many prosperity centers, will coordinate the efforts of the United Way
and its partner organizations and focus them on affecting significant change in the lives of the people served.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
8Measurement Matrix
The following is a potential performance measurement matrix for the following areas addressed:
meeting basic needs, increasing skills, increasing income, and gaining and sustaining assets.
Initial Mid-te rm Long-te rm
-% increase of individuals -% increase of individuals who -% decrease in emergency
completing in-take asses sments utilize bundled services after in- assistance access of individuals
Bas ic Ne e ds
take receiving three or more services
after one year
-% increase of individuals -% increase of individuals -% increas e of individuals
enrolling in Literacy and GED demonstrating increases in basic obtaining a GED
Incre as ing
programs reading tests
Bas ic Skills -% increase in individuals
receiving certifications
-% increase of individuals -% of individuals who increase -% decrease in emergency
applying for benefits for which income by obtaining benefits after assistance requests of individuals
they are eligible application receiving three or more services
Incre as ing after one year -% decrease
Income of individuals receiving benefits
for more than three years
-% increase in knowledge of -% increas e of individuals
individuals completing maintaining employment after
employment training instruction one year, two years, three years
Incre as ing
bas ed on pre- and post- tes t -% increas e of individuals
Income and/or production of employment increasing in level of employment
materials (res ume, cover letter, after one year, two years., three
etc.) years
-% increase in knowledge of -% increase in credit scores of -% increas e in individuals
individuals completing financial individuals completing credit maintaining traditional bank
education instruction bas ed on counseling - accounts after one year, two
pre- and post- tests % decreas e in individuals losing years, three years
Incre as ing homes to foreclosure after
Bas ic Skills receiving foreclosure prevention
and Gaining services -
and % increase in individuals opening
Sus taining traditional banking accounts
As s e ts -% increase in individuals
purchasing homes after
completing homeownership
classes
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
9Timeline
February 2014
‐ Secure facilities for program offerings and administrative space (Bernard Brown Center)
‐ Initiate Tax Prep and Housing Services offerings
April 2014
‐ Grand Opening (April 15, 2014)
May 2014
‐ LOL Project Completion - report of recommendations and supporting data to United Way
‐ Program determination and structuring of partnerships
‐ Develop cross-service communication and measurement tools
June 2014
‐ Recruit staff/volunteers for specific programs
July 2014
‐ Purchase needed supplies for programs
‐ Fine tune curriculum for programs
August 2014
‐ Publicize appropriate marketing for programs in conjunction with partner agencies
Early Sept 2014
‐ Roll out full program offering
Ongoing
‐ Measurement of outcomes
‐ Ongoing assessment of needs and development of services and partnerships
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
10Appendix A
Prosperity Center Interviews
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
11Prosperity Center Interviews
Interview #1
Organization: Prosperity Center (Goodwill Industries of NWNC, Inc.)
Interview Date: 12/2013
Interviewer: Jenny Orndorff, Leaders on Loan
Interviewee: Reni Geiger, Director of Community Initiatives and Outcomes
1. What does the center offer?
The Prosperity Center offers vocational and financial based services to help individuals toward financial
stability. The program is based on meeting our customers where they are and building relationships.
When a client comes to the center, they first attend a welcome session (orientation) where potential
clients hear about services from vocational and financial staff. Next follows an intake session, basic
vocational assessment (for customers seeking employment), 4 sessions of financial literacy, a one-on-one
session with a certified financial counselor, and 3 vocational sessions based on level of competency
shown at assessment. Since this is a program, the customer must agree to participate in all sessions that
are outlined in their individual plan which is based on their individual needs. All financial and vocational
components are based on the customer’s universal needs for solvency and security, not on current status.
2. How did the center establish their programs?
A collaborative between Goodwill Industries of NWNC, Inc., Consumer Credit Counseling- now
Financial Pathways of the Piedmont, Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR), and Family Services Ways to
Work submitted a response to the Financial Stability RFP. Initial programming was based on the concept
of identifying peoples’ dreams, then helping them to build a plan that would help them meet that dream.
With the agencies involved, we could provide vocational services, financial management services, help
with low interest car loans, free tax preparation, self-sufficiency services, and homeownership
programming.
We did not build the center to be a “one-stop” in the sense of multiple services being offered under one
roof, but rather to be seamless- when people entered the center they would work with a Prosperity Coach
who would review their Dream Intake with them and build a plan that could access the various experts we
had on site to get the services they needed to take the steps towards their goal.
The center was based initially on a tiered concept where Tier One Partners were on site, Tier Two
Partners came in to provide services periodically, and Tier Three Partners referred to or were referrals for
our customers. We were designed this way to be able to change with the needs of the community. After a
couple of years, Family Services Ways to Work Program moved from a Tier One to a Tier Three partner,
and the homeownership personnel from both Financial Pathways and ESR moved back to their home
locations. What we found was that Goodwill and Financial Pathways were the two partners that needed to
mesh into thinking and being the Prosperity Center.
The economy tanked and we realized that people were not coming to the center to take advantage of the
integrated services- the majority needed a job and the rest were in financial trouble and needed help with
a specific issue. Although the center served about 1100 people annually, the percentage of those using
integrated services was less than 5%. We did a lot of good, helped a lot of people, but we did not feel we
were being true to the initial concept of combined services.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
12In the last quarter of 2012, leadership from Goodwill and Financial Pathways held a two day retreat with
all center staff and changed direction. As a result of that retreat, we went from an open center to the
program concept outlined in #1, above. Leadership and staff alike realized that our service numbers
would greatly decrease, but that our impact to those that were served would increase substantially. During
2013, we served around 300 people, down from the normal 1100, but went from less than 5% of clients to
over 95% receiving intensive financial and vocational services.
3. How does the center staff?
The Center is staffed by 1 full-time Credit Counselor, 2 Employment Specialists, and a Center Manager.
4. How does the center find funding?
The majority of the funding for the Center comes from United Way; however, Goodwill carries the cost
of rent, IT and Facilities Maintenance, Accounting, Marketing, and Administration. With the new facility,
Goodwill has replaced furniture and computers, and added a bank of 12 laptops and a projection system.
FPP helps annually by securing funds from a local bank for financial seminars and supplies.
5. How does the center market?
The PC is most often marketed in our community by word-of-mouth. We also participate in and hold job
and resource fairs, attend community meetings and events, and interact with various community partners,
including serving on boards such as the Asset Building Coalition and the Working Families Partnership.
Printed PC materials and the PC website are administered by Goodwill’s marketing department.
6. What makes a prosperity center worth having?
The PC is an asset to our community because it is unique in offering a specific set of services tailored to
help individuals who want to help themselves gain the tools needed to achieve financial stability. It is also
a great example of a community collaborative that has grown and morphed based on the needs of the
community it serves. Without the PC, the individuals that we have served, particularly in the past year,
would not have had access to the tools and knowledge gained without visiting multiple agencies.
7. How does the prosperity center partner with existing non-profits and how do they work well with
them?
The Prosperity Center currently partners with the city’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness by housing
one of the key service providers onsite, in turn the population that can benefit from the PC program is
referred and brought into the program.
The PC also works directly with the Forsyth Working Families Partnership, the Department of Workforce
Solutions, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Experiment in Self-Reliance (our local
community action agency), Family Services, Department of Social Service and countless others to offer
services and resources to our populations, as they naturally overlap.
8. How do you measure the success of the prosperity center? Is there a specific matrix used?
The PC seeks to impact the financial stability of our customers by employing educational strategies
including:
- Completion of a minimum of 4 hours of financial education on budgeting, debt reduction, asset
building and good use of credit
- Completion of one-on-one counseling sessions with a Certified Credit Counselor
- Becoming Banked if not banked already
- Completion of 3 hours of Vocational Training on Resume Writing, Completion of On-Line
Applications and Interviewing Techniques, or proving competency in each area
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
13- Completion of Auxiliary classes as needed by the individual which could include ESL, Computer
Basics, and workplace related training on job retention
- Tax Preparation and education on Earned Income Tax Credits
The strategies are used to support outputs including:
- Improved Earnings for Individuals/Families
- Improved Debt/Income Ratios for Individuals/Families
- Ability for Individuals/Families to meet their monthly financial obligation
- Ability for Individuals/Families to get/maintain $300 in Savings
- Job Retention at 3, 6 and 12 months
- Use of EITC for Asset Building
The strategies and outputs above are recorded in a matrix designed by United Way. In addition to the
outputs listed above for reporting to United Way, we also track outputs that our clients reach such as
obtainment of skills credentialing, GED, or completion of a 2 or 4 year degree; foreclosure prevention;
wage progression; family reunification- whatever is obtained during programming that lessens the barriers
the client faces in reaching financial stability.
Interview #2
Organization: Long Island Prosperity Center Funded by Citi (United Way)
Interview Date: 11/2013
Interviewer: Matt Sandy, Leaders on Loan
This is the 3rd year in existence for the Prosperity Center it is funded by Citi. It was something Citi was
interested in starting and funding to help lower to middle income families in the area. On Long Island
income poverty doesn’t match up with national poverty levels. A family of 4 needs income of 80k/year to
get by.
Key items mentioned “this is not necessarily a central point of activity where the community comes to the
center, rather it is a mobile program that goes out to meet the people in need”…they go to schools,
libraries, senior centers, they work closely with HR coordinators, they go to places of work, they want
their services to be known and accessible. When they host workshops, they provide incentives for
attending (these are important to attendance) something like 25 dollar gift cards donated from local
grocery stores.
Mentioned a great deal of familiar services related to financial literacy like
• EITC – earned income tax credits
• VITA sites free tax preparation
• FAFSA applications
• Workplace campaigns
• Partnering with local banks for establishing bank accounts
• Employment services
• Advocate for child care services
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
14The prosperity center works with an annual operating budget of 50k funded by Citi with additional
services and funding from partners such as Family Service. Primarily the funding goes to hosting events
and meetings and paying for a facilitator for classes and seminars around the area.
The service we spoke most in depth about was Project Warmth which is a partnership with the local
community and energy providers that helps families in the need pay energy bills. Project Warmth has its
own operating budget of about 600k annually. http://www.unitedwayli.org/project_warmth.asp
About Project Warmth
United Way of Long Island works with nonprofit and corporate community partners to administer Project
Warmth, Long Island’s only non-governmental emergency fuel fund which provides one-time grants to
oil and utility companies on behalf of residents facing heating emergencies. Through a network of partner
agencies, struggling Long Island families can apply to Project Warmth and receive information on other
local resources to help them address greater financial stability. Last year the program distributed grants to
1631 families
The Need
Despite an incredibly mild winter, more Long Islanders received emergency fuel assistance from Project
Warmth last winter than at any time in the last 5 years. More than 1600 households – a 19% increase
from the previous year were assisted with emergency grants.
Over the last year, food stamp recipients have increased by 148% on Long Island.
Additionally, many people who have lost their jobs do not qualify for government assistance. While not
technically poor, they are poor on a practical basis.
Unfortunately at the same time, governments at all levels are struggling with myriad fiscal issues. As a
result, the federal government has significantly reduced funding for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, both of which provide low income
families with utility assistance.
Last, the cost of home heating oil increased from $3.60 to $4.27 per gallon, which is about $550 more for
the average home.
United Way of Long Island Needs Your Help
United Way of Long Island is bracing for an unprecedented demand for emergency fuel fund assistance
and has authorized an extraordinary effort to raise $1 million to strengthen Project Warmth’s ability to
provide critical safety-net services across the region. These funds will allow Project Warmth to stay open
all winter and accommodate thousands of underserved Long Islanders.
After the destruction of Hurricane Sandy many more of our neighbors will need assistance with
emergency fuel. To strengthen Project Warmth’s ability to provide critical safety-net services across the
region Project Warmth will need to raise $1 million.
To donate to Project Warmth
Long Islanders can make contributions to Project Warmth online by choosing "Project Warmth" under the
donation category, or through the yellow envelopes in their energy bills, by sending donations directly to
Project Warmth at 819 Grand Boulevard, Deer Park, NY.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
15Other programs mentioned:
http://nw.org/network/index.asp Neighborworks America
Mission
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives
and strengthen their communities.
Vision
Through NeighborWorks and its partnerships, America is a nation of vibrant communities all are proud to
call home.
Core Values
In the way we conduct business at NeighborWorks America and relate to people both internally and
externally, we will seek always to embrace the following values:
• Results: We are accountable for achieving excellence through measurable, impactful outcomes.
• Integrity: We foster an environment of transparency and honesty that is built on respect and
openness.
• Community: We seek locally driven solutions that incorporate the views of our various stakeholders
and audiences, building on diversity as a strength, and working in partnership with others to achieve
results.
• Effectiveness: We are resourceful. Responsible stewards, leveraging resources to maximize impact.
5-year Strategic Goals (2012-2016)
• Goal 1: NeighborWorks America creates and preserves housing opportunities that are sustainable and
affordable.
• Goal 2: NeighborWorks America advances comprehensive community development and resident
engagement to achieve positive community impact.
• Goal 3: Neighborworks America supports a Network of Excellence of strong, sustainable
NeighborWorks organizations that collectively leverage expertise and effective business models.
• Goal 4: NeighborWorks America strengthens the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of the
community development and affordable housing field.
• Goal 5: NeighborWorks America optimizes its organizational performance to achieve its strategic
goals.
In the work that we do, we commit to the following operating principles:
• Build and maintain the strength of our leadership, the skills and motivation of staff, and the
effectiveness of our network.
• Promote active engagement of and leadership by residents as an essential ingredient in all aspects of
strengthening communities.
• Employ and promote green and sustainable practices for the long-term benefit of residents and
communities
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
16http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ HEAP - gov’t funded
Also mentioned seeking out welfare to work commission in county, and working with and informing
policy makers and legislature of the financial issues impacting the community.
Interview #3
Organization: Trident United Way of Charleston, SC, Prosperity Center (United Way)
Interview Date: 11/2013
Interviewer: Matt Sandy, Leaders on Loan
Interviewee: Amanda Lawrence
The Prosperity Center is the function of 3 core partnerships; The United Way, Goodwill, and Family
Services. These three partners’ operate 2 prosperity centers in the Charleston region one in Dorchester
County and one in Berkley County. They are branded as prosperity centers not branded under the names
of United Way, Goodwill or Family Services.
These three partners are the core partners but there other organizations that coordinate and contribute time
and services to the prosperity centers. The core partners are generally responsible for staffing, funding,
and building.
The services offered at both Prosperity Centers are the same however they sometimes are administered a
little differently based on the staffing of the center.
United Way
• Focuses on access to benefits through a web based software Benefit Bank, an intuitive and stream
line process for FAFSA, SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, also tax preparation
Goodwill
• Focuses on workforce and employment services; goodwill staffs an employment specialist in each
location.
o They do not reinvent the wheel in terms of duplication of services from other
employment organizations, they simply accentuate the current services and increase
access to the experts offering these services
Family Services
• Focus on financial services
o Foreclosure prevention
o 1st time home buyer program
o Financial education
o Reverse mortgage programs
Staffing in each center
Prosperity Manager (1)
Front Desk
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
17Goodwill employment specialist
AmeriCorps Program members (adults in transition, grad school, very reflective of the community)
Interview #4
Organization: Eugene Oregon Prosperity Center (United Way)
Interview Date: 12/2013
Interviewer: Caitlin Brandenburg, Leaders on Loan
They partnered with United Way and submitted a grant request for proposal. Their goal was to help
people in poverty and move them to be self-sufficient. Their request was presented to the United Way
funding group under the income program and they received $75,000. The Prosperity Center is located out
of Goodwill Headquarters in Eugene. They started off with two prosperity center planners. They have
been open for three years and now have four prosperity planners. There are a total of 250 members.
Their program consists of active partners and below are a few of the categories:
• Social service agencies - became active partner with helping their folks (bumpy road because
these agencies said they already do this). This provides the safety net for their members. The
prosperity center does not provide the safety net but as Mark said the trampoline.
• Charities (for example Relief Nursery) helps parents get transportation
• Churches
• Business
o 13 car dealers: for example they work with the prosperity center to sell cars to members
at wholesale and service vehicles for two years, new and used cars at extremely
reasonable prices. One person they work with no sales pitch just gives them what the cost
is plus.
o Dental program- matched 5 to 1 basis, three months to a year to save the money and then
they can have their dental work completed. Partnerships with dental clinics use financial
plan, dental plan and individual development accounts. Long term relationship with
dental clinic.
o Banks - Bus program for half price bus passes (Funded by banking partners) and the
banks will provide accounts and products if they go through the program.
o Individual development accounts- ways in which low income people can acquire things
and learn what savings is about. They save for a certain period time and the state matches
that amount 3 to 1
Mark said they hit very bumpy roads when trying to create the Prosperity Center because many of the
active partners said this is what they already do. Mark had to show the active partners the value in them
being a partner with Goodwill/United Way creating the prosperity center. There is huge benefit to each of
the partners in that they create a lasting relationship with the individuals. The active partners also serve as
a referral system between each partners and the prosperity center and vice-versa.
They meet with their members once a week for a half an hour, they have to take steps each week and
execute it; developing plan
They also work with their members to diffuse crisis, help with planning during a crisis “what if
workshop” helps them understand what an emergency is and how to execute against it.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
1830% go from poverty to self-sufficient in a year
80% go from poverty to self-sufficient in two years
Important tips:
• Savings, they have to understand that the individual is the most important part and they have to
pay themselves.
• Four things that make sure people take care of first after they have paid themselves: place to live,
food to eat, clothes, transportation. Self-worth, monetary worth
They use a matrix to determine the status of the individual, below is a less detailed example of the matrix:
Labor Market/Career Financial Capability
Dimensions Employment Education Training Job Income Housing Budgeting/ Access to Credit
Retention Money Financial
Mgmt. Services
Thriving
Safe
Stable
Vulnerable
In‐Crisis
Some examples of questions asked in the career category are: do you have a job? How long is it what
you want? Do you want a better job?
Some examples of questions asked in the financial category are: how’s your housing, do you know how
to do a budget and maintain cash flow, what’s your loan situation how’s your borrowing; is it under
control? What is your credit score?
***Mark said the reason for their success is the matrix that they use. This quantifies what they are
doing.
UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
19UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER LEADERS ON LOAN PROJECT
20Caitlin Brandenburg Emily Bizzarri Katie Barkdoll Guy Mutchler Justin Saltzman Eric Ireland Jennifer Orndorff Matt Sandy
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