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Transforming Lives Two Generations At A Time
Our Mission To transform families from poverty to prosperity. Our Strategy To mobilize a broad-based coalition of community members who embrace the mission.
The Need Today • More than 18 million children in the U.S. live in poverty with single mothers. • With little access to quality early childhood education, these children start school behind peers and find it nearly impossible to catch up. • The population of single mothers living in poverty in the U.S. continues to grow. – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, out of about 12 million single parent families in 2016, more than 80% were headed by single mothers (https://singlemotherguide.com/single-mother-statistics/).
The evolution of Jeremiah 1993 Reverend Michael J. O’Connell, Rector of the 1997 Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis, 2002 Norther States Power (now Xcel Energy) answers the call of city leaders to engage the With a combination of public and private donates land for a Minneapolis campus. community in breaking the cycle of poverty for funding, Minneapolis campus adds 21 units Jeremiah leaders raise $5 million to single mothers and their children. He and a permanent Child Development Center build phase 1 of the campus. Significant assembles leaders from the key sectors with phase 2. All 39 units are now full. new funding comes from American Express, of business, education, government, Jeremiah’s board of directors begins Cargill, Family Housing Fund, Graco, Kopp congregations of faith and philanthropy talking about replication reflective of Investment Advisors, Jay & Rose Phillips to move the vision forward. smart growth. Family Foundation and Target. 1996 1998 McGlynn Family Foundation, General Mills and 18 families move into the first campus Fred and Katherine B. Andersen Family residence and Jeremiah partners with St. Foundation provide first major leadership Mark’s Episcopal Church for early gifts. childhood program. Gloria Perez is hired as President & CEO. Jeremiah begins to receive requests for information about its approach from communities across the country.
Holistic Two-Generation Strategy Two Generation Strategy Family coaching and support for career-track college education Safe, affordable housing Quality early childhood education Life skills & empowerment training Supportive community
Profile of Jeremiah Women • Single parent, at least 18 years of age, living below poverty level • High school graduate (or GED) and committed to enrolling in a post- secondary institution • Isolated, lacking a support system, dependent on multiple forms of public assistance, struggling to find safe & stable housing
Family Demographics • Mothers are motivated to provide for their families without public assistance • 30% of children witness violence based on the Mom’s response of have thy experienced domestic violence • 77% women of color • 89% children of color • Average age of mothers: 24 • Average age of children: 3
Self-determination is critical • Women seek assistance for both their children and themselves • Women complete pre-enrollment empowerment class to become participants • Women participate in family goal planning with teachers and children
Support for Career-Track Education Safe, Affordable Housing Each woman enrolled in a two- or four-year higher education program at an institution that: Offers students opportunity to improve their economic prospects commensurate with cost of tuition Is financially healthy Offers career counseling Is willing to work with Jeremiah staff to identify women qualified for admission Provides appropriate services for single mothers on campus
Safe, Affordable Housing • Fully furnished, campus-style housing • Residents pay no more than 30% of their income for rent • Located near educational institutions, employment opportunities, public transportation • Secure, supportive environment • Integrated early childhood facility
Empowerment and Life Skills • Women develop relationships, decrease isolation, change mindset from victim to powerful self and are more capable of managing finances and life challenges. • Unique curriculum focuses on parenting and child development, health and wellness, financial literacy, career development and economic independence. • One-on-one support with Family Coach keeps women on track with goals.
Quality Early Childhood Education • All children receive education plans tailored to their needs • Milestone specific curriculum for children ages six weeks through pre-school • Parents acquire skills to help their children excel throughout their educational careers
Supportive Community • Bonding capital- a powerful sisterhood develops between participants • Bridging capital- mission-aligned community members develop trusting relationships with families through a variety of meaningful volunteer activities
An Excellent Return on Investment Safe, Affordable Housing Every $1 invested in Jeremiah families return up to $4 to society through: • First generation benefits, including decreased dependence upon public assistance and increased taxable earnings • Second generation benefits, including increased future earnings and reduction in costs associated with crime and special education (Wilder Research)
What Success Looks Like • 455 women and children served in five cities across the United States. • 68% increase in earnings for 2016 Jeremiah graduates from what they were earning when they entered the program. • 70% of moms across all Jeremiah campuses who were academic all-stars (earning a GPA of 3.0 or above). • $47,609 average income of graduates from the past five years. • 81% of alumnae children who attended a Jeremiah child development center are performing at or above grade level in elementary or middle school.
Volunteer-Driven Organization • One 501(c)(3) organization with national board of directors • Community boards of trustees in Austin, Boston, Fargo-Moorhead, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Rochester- Southwest MN. • 15,714 volunteer hours given by 1,422 volunteers across our locations in 2016.
The Challenge • A holistic program is perceived to be costly – Estimated $1.5M to bring a campus from cultivation to operations • Community initiatives take time to start but they foster sustainability – Average time spent between cultivation to operations is 5 years • The model is dependent upon philanthropy – Estimated $1M annually for an operating campus of 35 families
Current Facilities Minneapolis, MN 39 units in downtown Minneapolis, next door to Minneapolis Community & Technical College St. Paul, MN 38 units in Rondo neighborhood nearby several post-secondary schools Austin, TX 39 units in east Austin adjacent to Austin Community College’s Eastview Campus Boston, MA Established a permanent home base in 2016 where we serve 22 families non-residentially
National Expansion Start-up lessons • Leadership • Philanthropic interest • Broad engagement • Education and employment opportunities • City infrastructure • Innovative approaches
How can others implement two-gen programming? 1. Start with your vision- think holistic 2. Acquire community input and obtain their support 3. Cultivate relationships with key partners and donors 4. Bring your vision to life through the relationships built
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