More than 244,000 households in Central Indiana are living in, or one emergency away from, poverty.
Economic prosperity is too dependent on where you live, the color of your skin, the quality of your education, or the wealth you’ve inherited.
Despite working hard, many households struggle to manage meeting their most basic needs - let alone the ability to invest in their education and career advancement. When funds run short, cash-strapped households are forced to make impossible choices, such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent, filling a prescription or fixing the car. These short-term decisions have long-term consequences that can impact an entire household.
Over the next five years, United Way has committed to investing in proven economic mobility strategies across our region to distance 10,000 households from poverty helping our neighbors secure family-supporting wage jobs to increase the stability of an entire household.
United Way has bold plans to invest in, expand and strengthen our community’s Center for Working Families network.
Introduced in 2004 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Center for Working Families approach combines employment services, financial literacy and coaching, and access to public benefits to help low-income families achieve financial security.
Since 2015, United Way of Central Indiana has been the lead funder and administrator of Center for Working Families sites in our community. Over the last seven years, the program has been implemented in 12 locations in Marion and Morgan counties. United Way currently invests approximately $1.5 million annually to serve nearly 4,000 individuals.
By bundling services in a one-stop-shop model, this customized approach harnesses the power of one-on-one coaching - giving households the tools needed to secure their long-term financial success.
Data collected over the last five years proves Center for Working Families sites are making a measurable difference.
3,598 individuals gained employment
22% of individuals saw an increase in hourly wages, with an average increase of more than $4 an hour
Average hourly wage for current placements is $13.77
14% of individuals saw a monthly income increase, with an average increase of more than $1130.
27% of individuals increased their credit scores
Each Center for Working Families site matches participants with individual coaches in three areas:
connecting participants to qualified benefits, such as nutritional assistane, utility assistance, and health insurance.
including résumé writing and critique, job search assistance, job application and interview support, and in-demand skills training.
empowering participants to make responsible net worth-building decisions through budgeting, career planning, acquiring and improving credit scores, loan and banking information, and asset management.
Our Vision for a Centers For Working Families Expansion
Launch Center for Working Families programming in all seven counties of our Central Indiana region by 2026.
Increase the number of sites
Embed Workforce Pathway Accelerator programming inside each new and existing Center for Working Families site.
Deepen our investment
Increase engagement by removing transportation barriers to ensure participants are not limited by their own mobility constraints.