Nota

A Strength-Based ApproachA Strength-Based ApproachTo Reduce PovertyTo Reduce Poverty

Maurice Lim Miller, Founder & Presidentmaurice@fiinet.org, 510-333-1065

www.fiinet.org

$22,000 $50,000 $80,000

Service workers, laborers …..

30 million working families

$ benefits

$10K

$20K

Middle income

Upper income

Welfare: TANF, etc.

Church, nonprofit programs

Household IncomePoverty Level (Family of 4)

Cycle of Poverty Cycle of Poverty

Federal benefits for home ownership, savings, investments & business development

2008 census study

Food stamps

$50,000 $80,000

Service Workers, laborers, etc.

$ benefits

$10K

$20K

Middle income

Upper income

Household Income

Filling a Critical Gap Based on InitiativeFilling a Critical Gap Based on Initiative

Federal benefits for home ownership, savings, investments & business development *

FII Families

40% under poverty line

TOP DOWN: Investing in Initiative

& Mutuality

BOTTOM UP: Taking Control &

Working Together

The Safety Net for those in Crisis

Create Space & Leadership Vacuum forCreate Space & Leadership Vacuum for Families to Exercise Control & ChoiceFamilies to Exercise Control & Choice

• Families initiate & control the change process

• Families self-organize in “natural communities,” supporting mutuality (build social capital)

• Process evolves and changes as families’ priorities shift and opportunities emerge thus staying culturally appropriate

Social networks offer opportunities, define expectations and determine

behavior

Program Model: Bottom UpProgram Model: Bottom UpTwo-year, FII-facilitated engagement with groups of families to catalyze change

• Families select to enroll with friends

• Each family gets computer to report progress

• Require monthly group meetings & qtrly family meeting to audit reported progress

• FII pays families for reporting progress (kids grades go up; credit score improves, get part time job), to lead, facilitate & counsel one another. On average families earn $1.800/yr.

• Natural leaders/role models emerge & they get Fellowships, instead of staff, to lead others

FIIliaison

Facilitating Natural Networks Activities

“Ripple Families”

“Core Catalyst Families”

300+ applying in S.F.

Metrics Outcomes

Earning% increase in income 23%

Asset-Building

% increase in savings 240%

# of new homeowners 15 or 17%

# of new businesses 19 or 22%

# of expanded businesses 9

Direct Outcomes: Earnings & AssetsDirect Outcomes: Earnings & AssetsFamilies have demonstrated significant near- and long- term economic gains as well as a host of other outcomes that show increased control over their life trajectories

$5,800 $3,200

$19,000 $28,400

Before FII After FII

Oakland Average Family Incomen= 52 Families (4.6 members/family)

Government Benefits Earned Income

27% increase

Sample Outcomes – All SitesSample: n= 344 people from 86 households

Within first 2 yrs in FII (Oakl, S.F., Hi )

Sample of S.F. Outcomes: (310 adults/children from 65 households, thru April 2010)Over 70% of children’s grades improved 30% of S.F. families doing side businesses 25% or 8 of 32 families on subsidies dropped CalWorks and Section 8. Only 2 new on food stamps in spite of recession