Mercyhurst College Civic Institute, GECAC, United Way of Erie County

1. Mercyhurst College Civic Institute, GECAC, United Way of Erie County

2. Poverty Work Group Awareness and Education • The High Cost of Poverty, It Affects Us All • “Waging a Living” • Policy Forum • Literature review of best practices • Poverty Simulation • Interviews with community leaders from business, health sector, government, non- profit, religious community, education • Interviews with low-income individuals

3. Proposal Philosophy • Poverty is a community issue requiring a comprehensive community response • The involvement of existing organizations and initiatives must be sought • Involvement must include: • Business • Government • Faith-based groups • Low-income individuals • Educational Institutions • Health Sector • Non-Profit Organizations

4. Our Partners • Mercyhurst Civic Institute • Lead agency • Oversee Dialogue to Action Component • GECAC • Oversee Family Action Team Component • United Way of Erie County • Convene Community Leadership Team • Assist with recruitment of community partners and various committees/coalitions

5. Project Design—Two Components Component I: Neighborhood Dialogue to Action Teams 1) Engage community members across sectors in selected areas 2) Deliberative dialogue that will lead to an action plan to address poverty

6. Component 1 – Neighborhood Dialogue and Action • Structure – Everyday Democracy • Philosophy – “People living in a community know best what needs to be done” • Process – Allows voices to be heard and all sectors to work together for change

7. Component 1 – Neighborhood Dialogue and Action Deliverables • A total of 10-13 areas will carry out dialogue to action groups • 2 first year • 2-3 each subsequent year • Both rural and urban areas • Each area will develop an action agenda

8. Component 2 – Family Action Teams If provided with necessary supports, families with low-incomes can improve their economic situation Year one: ten families selected from Dialogue to Action areas Family Action Teams: Families, GECAC staff, and Community Partners.

9. Component 2 – Family Action Teams • Structure – Best practices from Step-Up Savannah, Move the Mountain, and Bridges Out of Poverty • Philosophy – “Low-income families need supports while still being in control of their goals” • Process – Wraps supports around a family while still identifying them as the family team leader

10. Component 2 – Family Action Teams GECAC and United Way will recruit and train Community Partners Each Family Action Team will meet regularly both formally and informally Community Partners will be role models and provide support Family Action Team members will use their experience to inform Neighborhood Dialogue to Action Teams

11. Component 2 – Family Action Teams Deliverables • 10 Families will be mentored each year • Both rural and urban areas • Each family will conduct a self-assessment and develop a family action plan • Community Partners and staff will assist families to reach identified goals

12. Organizational Chart

13. Outcomes of Proposed Initiative • Improve coordination and collaboration of services • Identify resources in selected areas and connect people to resources • Develop grassroots leadership

14. Outcomes • Increase community engagement that will lead to a community wide agenda • Engage a broader section of the community to play a role in helping community leaders develop and direct effective policy • Address poverty systemically from grassroots and leadership team levels

15. Long – Term Outcomes • Increased employment and income for participants • Improvement of parent well-being in terms of coping skills, mental and physical health, ability to access resources. • Improved children’s academic achievement and so • cial behavior

16. Working Together… We Can and Will Make a Difference