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Strengthening Families by Helping Single Dads

December 8, 2011 By 1 Comment

We often talk about single mothers, but what about fathers?

In 2006, the state of New York piloted a program to increase employment and earnings of noncustodial parents, most of whom were fathers. The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance worked with nonprofit organizations in four New York cities – Buffalo, Jamestown, Syracuse, and New York City – to deliver job training and other support services to low-income parents behind in their child support.

Participants not only experienced gains in wages, but also increased child-support payments.

Read the program evaluation, “Strengthening Familes Through Stronger Fathers,” written and conducted by the Urban Institute.

What are some lessons we can learn about tackling poverty from this pilot program?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Photo courtesy of Tony Alter  via Creative Commons license.

 

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: , ,

United Way Presents SparkPoint To A National Audience

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Last week, United Way had the opportunity to present SparkPoint to a national audience, including United Way personnel from Delaware, Orange County and Portland, as well as representatives from Citi Foundation, City College of San Francisco, and Everett Community College and Highline Community College, both located near Seattle, Washington.

More than thirty people toured the SparkPoint San Mateo Center at Skyline College, one of four SparkPoint Centers in the Bay Area, which focus on helping families move out of poverty and achieve lasting financial stability.

In the short video below, SparkPoint San Mateo Center Director William Watson explains how bundled services help clients to address everyday crises, so they can focus on improving their financial situation over the long term.

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Guests, many of which are considering launching or expanding programs like SparkPoint in their home towns, got to hear firsthand about the benefits and challenges of the SparkPoint model from United Way and Skyline staff, as well as Jewish Vocational Services and the San Mateo Workforce Investment Board, which all partner to provide services at the SparkPoint San Mateo Center.

This is the fifth SparkPoint tour that United Way has hosted during the last year, as community organizations from around the country – and as far away as Denmark – continue to express interest in the SparkPoint model.

To learn more about the SparkPoint, visit www.sparkpointcenters.org.

View photos from the tour on Flickr.

Article cowritten with Skyline Shines.

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: , , ,

SparkPoint American Canyon Center Celebrates First Anniversary

November 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SparkPoint American Canyon Center hosted a community open house celebration last Thursday evening to celebrate its one-year anniversary.   With more than 100 guests in attendance, festivities spilled out onto the sidewalk. Volunteers from UPS were on hand to welcome guests, serve food and drink, and help with the “wheel of fortune” game.

SparkPoint American Canyon Center is one of four SparkPoint Centers in the Bay Area that work with families to help them achieve lasting financial stability.  United Way and our partners plan to build nine SparkPoint Centers throughout the Bay Area within the next two years.

“We extend our appreciation to all of our clients and partners who have made the first year of SparkPoint American Canyon Center a big success,” said Sherry Tennyson, executive director of the American Canyon Family Resource Center which houses SparkPoint. “We are committed to continuing to work hard to serve our community even better in the years to come.”

Three SparkPoint clients shared their experiences about the support they received at the Center, which served more than 280 clients in its first year.  Stephanie, a mother of three, said, “At SparkPoint, I found a place that helped me learn to help myself.  I’m more confident about my finances; I’ve improved my resume and my credit scores.  I keep coming back for all the support they give to me and my family.  I recommend SparkPoint to everyone I meet.”

Click to view a short video of Stephanie, Scott and Rhonda sharing their stories. 

Click on the photo gallery below to view scenes from the celebration.

Learn more at www.sparkpointcenters.org.

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: , , ,
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