Center for Working Families
Why it Matters
In other communities, thie CWF model shows a high return on investment. In fact, one study showed an approximate 400% ROI when participants take advantage of all three of the program elements - making the program extremely impactful over the long-term.
The Center for Working Families (CWF) is an innovative partnership between United Way and Detroit LISC to advance community economic development in Southeast Michigan.
The partnership is designed to provide a comprehensive set of services to the working poor that help them learn to save, build assets, and eventually move from negative net worth (debt) to positive net worth and financial independence. To make this happen, the CWF focuses 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).
What we've done
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
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.
2018
- Help 19,000 families in southeastern Michigan become financially stable by providing pathways to jobs, financial coaching and access to benefits.
- Help 80% of CWF families improve their income, take full advantage of mainstream financial products and improve the ability to meet their daily needs.