Case for Support

1. Case for Support

2. Introduction Since 1968 the Urban League of Middle Tennessee (ULMT) has provided housing, financial literacy, and after-school programs. Urban League programs and services include academic support services for youth, job searches; resume writing, job counseling, case management, workshops, presentations, forums, speeches, telephone referrals, and literature distribution. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee is uniquely positioned in the community and has a demonstrated track record addressing many of the issues facing the underserved in greater Nashville. With the support of the greater Nashville Community, we will continue to provide training and resources to make our families stronger and our community a better place to live. Patricia Stokes President & CEO 2 The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support

3. History National Urban League Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community- based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 90 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee ULMT was chartered on April 15, 1968 by a group of diverse business and community leaders to improve the economic well-being of African Americans in the greater Nashville community. ULMT has a strong reputation for successfully connecting job seekers and employers. We embrace hard to serve populations as well as high skilled, experienced job seekers. The Urban League has found jobs for thousands of people and saved numerous families from the plight of homelessness. Since 2004, ULMT has added up to six million dollars back into the Nashville economy through its employment programming. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 3

4. Mission Mission StatementThe mission of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee is to enable African Americans, other minorities and disenfranchised groups to secure economic self-reliance, power, parity, and civil rights. Our efforts are focused in the following areas: Economic Empowerment, which includes workforce development, jobs, housing, and entrepreneurship; Youth & Education services focus on ensuring academic competence while preparing our young people for life, leadership and success within a global economy; Health & Quality of Life for all, and particularly for the least of our citizens; Civic Engagement and empowering communities through participation in the political process; and Civil Rights and Racial Justice. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 4

5. Vision Impact StatementThe needs of the African American community reflect the values of the American Dream…the need for our children to thrive; the need to earn a living; the need to own a home; and the need to prosper. The National Urban League and our local affiliate continue to serve as a bridge and operate from tenants that support the realization of the American dream for many of our citizens. They are: Every child in America deserves … • To live a life free of poverty that includes a safe home environment; • Adequate nutrition and affordable quality health care; and • A quality education that will prepare them to compete in a global marketplace. Every willing adult in America should have… • A job that allows them to earn a decent wage and provide a reasonable standard of living for themselves and their families; • Equal access to the resources that enhance employability and job mobility, including postsecondary education and other investments in human capital; • Access to the financial security that comes from owning a home; and • Access to the resources needed to establish and grow a viable business enterprise if they possess the entrepreneurial vision and drive. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 5

6. Who we are The Urban League of Middle Tennessee is a convener, organizer and action-oriented nonprofit focusing on the issues of education and employment for any person in need. From our inception, we have worked with African Americans seeking assistance. We now serve any person in need. ULMT is recognized by employers for providing focused training, based on employer needs when recruiting and preparing clients to enter the workforce. The education programs of ULMT focus their energy on unlocking the potential within teenage and adult learners who are seeking services in college preparation or to earn their General Education Diploma (GED). We are dedicated to serving those individuals who seek more opportunities through better education or employment. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 6

7. Our Work • Enrolled 12 non-traditional high school leaders in our special Developing Community Leaders initiative • Published the State of Blacks in Middle Tennessee Report for concerned citizens and community members • Enrolled 20 students in youth training and employment programming at Maplewood High School • Graduated 58 at risk youth from an employment experience program at Maplewood High School • Employed 106 high school students in summer jobs with 35 local businesses • Hosted a summit exploring the African American Achievement Gap for 125 concerned parents and community members • Assisted approximately 3,000 adults seeking employment with support, training, and job placement. • Coordinated and hosted 8 employer events for local business hiring new employees • Provided support, training, and employment assistance for approximately 500 people with barriers to work, including former felons. • Provided 60 high school students with college readiness preparation. • Assisted 75 adults and youth seeking their general education diploma (GED) • Recognized 75 students in our “Doing the Right Thing” celebration for student leaders The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 7

8. Challenges • Unemployment in the greater Nashville area is more than 10% • Among African American males in Nashville, unemployment is more than triple (30%) that of the overall unemployment in the area • 17.3 % of individuals in Nashville are living at or below the poverty line • Approximately 38,000 African Americans (25.5%) in Nashville are living in poverty • The High School Graduation Rate is over 80%, yet 18.7% of Black youth are regularly suspended from school (more than double the suspension rate for Asian, White, or Hispanic students) • Only 8.8% of companies in Nashville are owned by African Americans • Over 12% of Adults in the Nashville-Davidson lack basic prose literary skills The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 8

9. Solutions ULMT addresses our community’s challenges through our key programs. For many years, the Urban League of Middle Tennessee has provided housing, financial literacy, and after-school programs. Urban League programs and services include academic support services for youth, job searches, resume writing, job counseling, case management, workshops, presentations, forums, speeches, telephone referrals, and literature distribution. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee is uniquely positioned and has a demonstrated track record in being able to address many of the issues facing the underserved in greater Nashville. Programs Adult Workforce DevelopmentSupports adult clientele in job seeking and personal development efforts. Youth Services Helps Nashville area youth with employment, counseling, college preparedness, GEDs, and other assistance. Volunteer Programs Volunteers create community and support various programs provided within Middle Tennessee. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 9

10. Our Key Programs Adult Workforce Development • People served in 2010: 1,800 • Over $3,000,000 added to the greater Nashville Economy through job placement through ULMT The Urban League provides a number of services to support adult clientele in job seeking and personal development efforts. General Employment support services include: • Basic computer skills support and online job search support • Resume preparation • Interview skills training • Employer Presentations and employment fairs Ex-Offender Support ULMT has forged relationships with key partners to provide specialized services for job seeking clients who have felony convictions and other barriers to finding employment. This year, the program has served 500 individuals seeking employment. Nu Beginnings has partnered with ULMT to provide these services. Services are provided at the Urban League office on Monday of every week. Ex-Offender support services include: • Employment Preparation Courses • Personal Counseling • G.E.D. Testing • Interview preparedness (haircuts, new work clothes, gas cards for transportation), and • Driver License Reinstatement Assistance. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 10

11. Our Key Programs Youth Services - 331 Youth Served in 2010 Summer Youth Employment: ULMT helped 106 high school students find summer employment in 2010, providing them with work experience, money to support their families, and life skills that can be utilized after they graduate from high school or college. Nashville Youth Training and Employment Corp (Y-TEC) is an after-school 40-week program dedicated to preparing high school students for the world of work, especially those students who are at-risk of school failure. Nashville Y-TEC encourages the development of a solid work ethic through work readiness assessments, employment soft skills training, and work experience. Project Ready isa National Urban League college prep model designed to reinforce and enhance math and language skills, support personal development through social and cultural enrichment and family education on how to support a family member at college both financially and emotionally.  ULMT served 42 ninth and tenth grade students from MNPS low performing schools. NULITES (National Urban League Initiative to Excel and Succeed) is a leadership development model that encourages personal responsibility through academic success, leadership development and community service. Thirty-five Students participated in ULMT’s NULITES Program this year. Doing the Right Thing is an annual recognition event for students and their families who demonstrate school success in spite of challenges.  Seventy-four students were honored in September. . The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 11

12. Our Key Programs Through Nashville State, ULMT offers adult GED preparation at the C. E. McGruder Family Resource Center in North Nashville.  Twenty students have been served and there has been one graduation. Volunteer Programs ULMT Guild: The ULMT Guild provides an opportunity for members and supporters of the ULMT to network, support the ULMT programs, and to work together to make the greater Nashville area a better community. Urban League Young Professionals of Middle Tennessee (ULYPMT): The ULYPMT provides opportunities for social minded young professionals to network together for work, volunteering opportunities, and to expand their leadership and engagement opportunities throughout Nashville through work with and for the ULMT. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 12

13. Financials The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 13

14. Financials The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 14

15. The Future At the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, we are aligning ourselves with key partners to grow our services to impact the greatest number of individuals. Our focus in the next 3-5 years is twofold: • Work with Nashville area business leaders to determine their needs for employees and adjust our current programs to fill those needs efficiently and effectively. We want to earn the continued reputation as a valued resource for all of Nashville’s employers who are seeking a qualified, committed workforce. • Continue our work in schools to insure that every student, regardless of race or social status, has access to education, and is prepared for further education in college, trade-school, or in the workforce. We are confident in our ability to motivate and move adult learners and youth to cultivate those key characteristics to be successful in life. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support

16. Fundraising The Urban League of Middle Tennessee reached more than 5,000 people who came through our doors or called for resources. ULMT returns more than 3 million dollars annually to the greater Nashville economy through our employment programs. Committed to service, committed to connecting people to opportunity, committed to Empowering People, Changing Lives, your Urban League is striving to continue its work as a force for change. You can help and here’s how: • Support our employment program. A donation of $25k allows us to upgrade our technology lab and offer additional training and services to more than 3,000 adult job seekers annually. • Support Adult Education Services (GED). A donation of $10k allows us to reach adult populations in need of their GED and serve and graduate twenty students annually. • Donate to our NULITES Project Ready Program. $35k will support a year of programming that allows us to help 25 students gain leadership skills and prepare for higher education. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support 16

17. Board of Directors Paul A. Seal Board Chairman Darren Gottschalk Vice Chairman Samuel Howard Immediate Past Board Chairman Mark Peters Secretary Vonzella F. Bryant, CPA Treasurer Patricia Stokes President & CEO Reverend George T. Brooks, Sr. Dan France Beth Fortune John Gauder, III Eddie D. Hamilton, MD. FAAP Don Holmes Veronica A. Marable Johnson LaTrisha Jemison Freddie Morrison Robert Moseley Trenesse Michael Young Professionals President Walter Overton Ivan Reeves Aubrey Scott Charles Sueing Laura Smith Tidwell Harry Wilson Alan R. Yuspeh The Urban League of Middle Tennessee Case for Support