OUR MISSION Creating stronger ones. Better educated ones. More - PDF document

6/18/2013 www.kisra.org 1 2 Changing Behaviors, Changing Lives, KANAWHA INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH & ACTION, INC. Changing Futures for West Virginia Families. START Click Here to Start -> Championing Positive Community Change Dr. Michelle Foster KISRA CEO Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 3 4 At KISRA we‘ve been about families since we first came to be in 1993. OUR MISSION Creating stronger ones. Better educated ones. More empowered ones, ready to change the course We empower West Virginians of their lives and contribute to our community. through education, employment, economic empowerment and behavioral health services Carl Chadband, M. Ed. Susan Plants KISRA COO Clinic Manager Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 5 6 OUR THEORY OF CHANGE OUR If If we we teach W teach West Vir st Virginians certain skills inians certain skills FRAMEWORK and and facil facilitate acce access to to cert certain resources, then the then they will will beco become me mor more self self-suf uffici cient Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change 1

6/18/2013 www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 7 8 WHO DO WE SERVE? You’ll see us providing safe havens for children. Showing men how to be better fathers. Children/youth – 6 weeks to high school Befriending those with mental illness so they can Adults live at home rather than state facilities. Giving ex-offenders the tools to reenter the community. Families Loaning money to small business owners. Helping people buy homes and acquire other assets that create stability. 2012 Harambee CDC Graduation Ceremony Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 9 10 WHERE WE PROVIDE SERVICES SKILLS & RESOURCE AREAS Education • Employment • Economic Empowerment • Behavioral Health • We provide services at community hubs and correctional facilities in the counties shown on the map Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 11 12 HARAMBEE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER EDUCATION Preparing ou g our communi unity ty's y younges est t childr dren en fo for acade r academic suc success Programs that offer children appropriate early childhood development, safe after-school havens At HCDC we believe that academic success begins in preschool. and prepare them for academic success. Also includes programs that help teens make good life Since we first opened our doors in 2004, we've decisions and successfully pursue higher education provided a nurturing, safe and drug-free haven that encourages a lifetime love for learning in the youngest members of our community. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change 2

6/18/2013 www.kisra.org 14 HARAMBEE LEARNING CENTER Offe ffering ng kin kindergartener eners t s through h fift fifth gr graders aders a a safe afte safe after-school haven haven The Harambee Learning Center was opened in 1998 to serve as a safe, drug-free, after-school refuge for children attending Kanawha County Schools. Its focus is on preventing the onset of adolescent problem behaviors by reducing their risk of academic failure. Championing Positive Community Change 13 www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 15 16 KISRA PREP (KPREP) EMPLOYMENT Givin Giving teen teenager ers the the tools tools to to mak make better decisi better decisions ons Programs to help people find jobs and achieve economic self-sufficiency, encourage KPREP provides teenagers with valuable knowledge to help them in their men to become better fathers and providers, transition in to adulthood including and pave the way for ex-offenders to reenter decision making, money management the community and career planning skills. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 17 18 PATHWAYS TO RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD SECOND CHANCE MENTORING PROGRAM Em Empo powe wering men with the s n with the skills ills and and resource ces that s that Helping former offenders to reclaim their they need the need to to suc succeed ed as f as fath thers and and p provid iders place in our community Supporting stronger families by helping low income, Helps former offenders reenter our community, incarcerated and previously incarcerated fathers to become more involved in their children's lives. stabilize their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. Empowering these fathers with occupational and life Enhances community safety by reducing the skills that help them achieve economic self- chances that they will return to prison in the sufficiency, reconnect with their children and support future. them financially. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change 3

6/18/2013 www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 19 20 GROWING JOBS PROJECT GROWING JOBS PROJECT A fr fresh ide h idea that’s m makin king good good things h ings happe ppen in ou our communi unity ty Key components are: urban farm with 2 greenhouses; • The Growing Jobs Project is a fresh, new way in commercial kitchen; • which KISRA is making a positive difference in farm stands at Capital & West Side our community. • Farmers’ Markets; farming skills, culinary skills and It’s a farm-to-table program that’s creating jobs, • business development training; encouraging entrepreneurship, and giving food truck/mobile kitchen. people access to fresh, organic produce for a • healthier lifestyle. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change 21 22 23 24 4

6/18/2013 www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 25 26 FINANCIAL FITNESS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Bringi inging ng help help and and ho hope to to co community mem members in need in need of of finan financia ial educa educatio ion Programs that help people become The goal of KISRA's Financial Fitness program is more financially fit, buy homes, establish to help members of our community improve their finances and, in turn, their lives. a pattern of saving and open or expand small businesses When we help remove individual barriers to the accumulation of wealth, everyone benefits with a community that's stronger and more prosperous. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 27 28 KISRA HOMEOWNERSHIP MICROLOAN PROGRAM Pr Providi iding finan financial as l assist stance ce to to help help small bus ll business ss Helpin Hel ing membe g members s of of our our commu community r ty reali alize t the e entrepr epreneurs s neurs succeed cceed Amer erican Dr Dream of homeo eam of homeownership Owning a small business is a goal for many members of our The goal of the KISRA Homeownership program community. is to turn area residents from renters to proud homeowners. Getting financing through conventional lenders is a struggle for some small startup businesses. To that end, the KISRA staff provides practical The Microloan Program helps entrepreneurs in need to knowledge, guidance and support that equip the realize their dream of business ownership. people in our community to do just that. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change www.kisra.org www.kisra.org 29 30 WVIDA INITIATIVE Helping f g families a ilies and individuals o duals of m modest st m means establish blish BEHAVIORAL HEALTH an going an go g patte ttern rn of saving ng Members of our community with modest means struggle with establishing and staying committed to a savings Programs that support mentally ill program. citizens as well offer a full range of The WVIDA Initiative helps them do just that with special savings accounts known as IDAs (Individual Development health care services Accounts). IDAs empower them to work toward their goals of owning a home, starting a new business, or getting an education. Championing Positive Community Change Championing Positive Community Change 5