United Way for Southeastern Michigan

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INCOME: Increasing stability across the region

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Income

One third of Southeastern Michigan residents don't make enough income to meet their basic needs. As residents strive to achieve financial independence, they often must navigate a confusing array of private and public service providers to receive services that are short-term.

Why it matters

A family that gets on its feet and stays upright becomes a vital contributor to its community. If we leverage our United Way base, we can restore our region to economic health and create a bright future for our families. We will see financially secure parents meeting basic needs, providing healthy meals, engaging with their child's school, helping their neighbors, and investing in their communities.

What we've done

UWSEM joined with Detroit Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), to assemble a team of partners to create the Center for Working Families (CWF) to focus on the integration of three programs:

  • A career-focused workforce through providing education and skill-based training;
  • Financial management services (1:1 financial coaching, debt reduction, budgeting, etc.); and
  • Income supports (tax benefits, SNAP, etc).

In 2010 five CWF sites have seen the following successes:

  • Providing services to 1,864 new participants
  • Actively providing integrated services to 3,712 participants
  • Almost 30% of active enrollees have increased net income

Foreclosure Prevention:

  • Created regional event convening national banks, congressional offices and counselors to assist residents with foreclosure serving over 900 residents
  • Brought NCLR (a nationally respected organization) to the region to access and align our counseling agencies around efficiency and effectiveness for one regionally model

Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance:

  • More than 24,000 individuals had $26 million returned in Earned Income Tax Credits during the 2010 tax season through assistance provided by UWSEM and Regional Asset Building Coalition.
  • Provided free tax preparation assistance services online and in person.

Individual Development Accounts:

  • Matched savings program for low income individuals to save for purchasing a home, small business or education.
  • Partnered with the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund to provide opportunities for 70 residents leveraging $280,000 in matching funds.

Our goals for this year and the future

2011 - 2012

  • Connect 30,000 individuals with the tools and resources that will enable them to take care of themselves.
  • Provide 3,000 individuals with pathways to self-sufficiency through CWF and Detroit Regional Workforce Fund.
  • Expand CWF to include three new centers in Detroit and outer Wayne, and create Financial Centers throughout the region that provide education and other critical community services.
  • Launch a media and educational awareness campaign on foreclosure prevention and EITC.
  • Advocate for policy change around the Workforce Investment Act.
  • Develop supportive services to open 50 new IDA accounts and support "Bank on Detroit" launch in three target areas.

2018

  • Helping 19,000 families in southeastern Michigan become financially stable by providing pathways to jobs, financial coaching and access to benefits.
  • Helping 80% of CWF families improve their income, take full advantage of mainstream financial products and improve the ability to meet their daily needs.