Getting Ahead Next Steps

After Getting Ahead, graduates ask, “What’s next?”

We know Getting Ahead is the first step in a long journey. Our office organizes four Next Steps that include a community meeting, a financial management workshop, an employment project that helps people keep the job, and a leadership project.

Bridging social capital is a key factor in moving out of poverty, and we create that opportunity at our Monthly Networking Meetings where graduates are developing valuable relationships with allies. We share a meal, talk about individual and community resources, and encourage one another on the journey. More than 200 allies (people not in poverty) have participated and each meeting averages 80 people. We meet the second Monday of every month at the Charles Martin Youth Center. For more info, go to our MNM page.

Our Financial Management Class is providing financial tools and competence needed to move out of poverty for the almost fifty Getting Ahead graduates who have completed it. Critical elements include a graduate as co-instructor, incentives for participants, a greatly enhanced FDIC MoneySmart curriculum with speakers and interactive activities, and access to a Lake City bank account and microloan at the end. A team of instructors has added important modules on budgets, spending plans and debt, avoiding financial predators, student loans and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Future Story Project, the first employment program in the country built on Bridges concepts, recognizes the critical role of stable, steady employment. But it recognizes, too, an often over-looked resource: an engaged business sector. The Future Story Project combines long-term employment support for both employees and employers using the Bridges Out of Poverty educational platform. We partner with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Chamber of Commerce of St Joseph County to equip and connect local employers with Bridges trainings.

In 2011, we launched our Leadership Project that equips graduates to serve as Getting Ahead co-facilitators, MNM Table Leaders, co-presenters and Bridges ambassadors to local organizations and committees.

We are learning what it takes to build and cross the bridge out of poverty.