Moving Families from Crisis to Long-Term Stability

Moving Families from Crisis to Long-Term Stability

When families are stable, our community is stronger and everyone wins. One way that Metro United Way helps individuals strengthen their families is through a partnership with the Siemer Institute for Family Stability, a national, integrated, and comprehensive model to prevent family homelessness and reduce school mobility.

Metro United Way recently expanded this partnership to include Family Scholar House (FSH) and the families they serve in our community. FSH integrates educational programs and services into the daily lives of disadvantaged single parents and their children. Emphasis is placed on learning that is responsive to the needs of each individual, meeting them where they are, and supporting them as they set and attain educational and personal goals.

Through this newly expanded partnership, we will reach families who live in zip codes with high concentrations of children living in poverty and who are testing at lower kindergarten readiness rates. Because we know that for children to grow into successful adults, they need a supportive and healthy early educational foundation.

We will provide comprehensive, holistic programs and services to 75 single parent families who are precariously housed but who are committed to bettering their lives by earning a college degree. Services will include financial education and planning, counseling and support group activities, case management, life-skills workshops, budgeting, career development and workplace ethics trainings, credit-building and asset development classes, mentoring specified to career interests, and employment or internship placement in their chosen fields, as their interests dictate. Through these efforts, we will help strengthen families through enhanced housing stability, increased income, and stronger attendance in school.

"We are delighted to expand our local Siemer network with the inclusion of Family Scholar House. They have a tremendous track record of moving families from crisis to long-term stability, and we see this new and expanded partnership as a way to advance the success of many more parents and children alike." says John Nevitt, Senior Manager of Family Stabilty at Metro United Way.

Making sure every child and family has the opportunity to achieve their full potential for a better life is a crucial part of what Metro United Way does. For more information about our impact for family stability , please contact john.nevitt@metrounitedway.org.