INQUIRY
Envision is a community-wide cooperative program to raise 1800 families, including about 630 Black families, out of poverty and to a point of financial stability.
If accepted for a participating service, Envision clients will be required to sign a participation agreement. Clients will have to share household income, credit scores and other demographic information each year for 3 years. This will allow us to determine eligibility but will also allow us to demonstrate that this important work is successful. Over time that will allow us to raise more funding and help more families become financially stable.
Who is eligible to apply?
· A Black family or individual in a household that struggles financially, working and earning above the Federal Poverty, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget. For example, children eligible for free and reduced lunch, family of 4 less than $52,400, family of 3 less than $43,440, family of 2 less than $34,480, an individual less than $25,520.
· May be eligible for SNAP but earning enough to no longer be eligible for the safety net of social service benefits.
· In the age range of 18-64 with no conditions or issues that prevent them from improving economically.
· Likely employed in service-related industries like childcare, grocers, or home health care, and jobs at our community’s largest employers- food service, housekeeping, or maintenance.
· Earn hourly wages and may not have access to benefits such as retirement and health insurance.
· May have a credit score of less than 700, or no credit score.
· May have debt ratios greater than 40% due to the lack of access to affordable loans.
What will I be required to do?
If accepted for a participating service, Envision clients will be required to sign a participation agreement. Clients will have to share household income, credit scores and other demographic information each year for 3 years. This will allow us to determine eligibility but will also allow us to demonstrate that this important work is successful. Over time that will allow us to raise more funding and help more families become financially stable.