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UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

INITIATIVES GUIDEBOOK

®

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06 EXECUTIVE LETTER08 OUR REGION

EDUCATION 13 EARLY EDUCATION 13 Hospital Initiative 14 Early Learning Communities 16 Social Innovation Fund 18 Great Start to Quality

20 HIGH SCHOOL 20 High School Turnaround

INCOME 26 GREATER DETROIT CENTERS FOR WORKING FAMILIES 28 COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CENTERS 30 DETROIT REGIONAL WORKFORCE FUND

BASIC NEEDS 36 MICHIGAN BENEFITS ACCESS 38 REGIONAL ALLIACES 40 NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS 42 BRIDGING THE GAP 46 2-1-1 47 MEET UP AND EAT UP

CONTENT

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PRESIDENT & CEO, MICHAEL J. BRENNAN

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DEAR FRIENDS,

It’s thrilling to be a part of this work.

Our region has been through some turbulent times, but we’re emerging stronger than ever. And we have BIG aspirations for this place we call home.

At United Way, we’re igniting a social movement in Greater Detroit by empowering people to unite and solve complex problems that affect us all.

We do this with our partners, with our process and with our proof. We do this with you. We set a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal to inspire belief in our in our region’s ability to achieve greatness:

I invite you to read more about our work and how you can join us. By focusing on the building blocks for a better life—Education, Income and Basic Needs—we build a stronger region, and a stronger future for us all.

In Partnership,

We believe it’s possible to make Greater Detroit a Top 5 place to live and work by 2030.

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OUR REGION

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We bring public, private and nonprofit partners across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties to tackle problems as a team. We can drive greater impact through collaboration. Together, we have more than 300 program sites serving the community every day.

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PREPARING OUR KIDS FOR COLLEGE AND

A CAREER STARTING ON DAY 1

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EDUCATION

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EDUCATION

EARLY EDUCATION AND HIGH SCHOOLUnited Way for Southeastern Michigan believes that children need rich learning experiences in order to succeed later in life, regardless of what ZIP code they were born into.

United Way’s education efforts focus on helping parents and caregivers access resources and skills to give their children the best start in life. The High School Turnaround initiative carries that work forward by assisting schools with historically low-graduation rates institute new practices and programs so that students stay in school and graduate.

RESULTSUnited Way’s Early Education work aims to ensure that children are prepared to succeed in kindergarten. Statistics continually point out how success in the early years can foreshadow the success in high school. United Way is in the process of collecting data from these initiatives to determine next steps. The High School Turnaround Initiative has already seen tremendous results, raising graduations rates that averaged below 60 percent to 80 percent.

Read more to find out about the work that is changing children’s future.

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Cultivating quality learning opportunities begins at birth. That’s why we partnered with DMC Sinai-Grace and Henry Ford Hospitals to give new mothers valuable resources that can help them better prepare their children for lifelong success.

At the hospitals, our United Way volunteers greet new mothers and their babies with literacy kits that include baby’s first book, a growth chart and tips to encourage parents to read to their children every day. Volunteers also share information about our 2-1-1 referral helpline where parents can find information on accessing essential resources such as food. Volunteers commit to 2 hours each week for on year. Currently, volunteers have committed to give two hours each week for one year at one hospital. This pilot initiative touches 267 new mothers each month.

Viola Hubbard has been a volunteer at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital since the inception of the initiative. She volunteers a couple of hours each week meeting with new mothers,

sharing literacy kits and resources with them to help ensure that their babies will be ready for school.

Studies indicate that children who are read to daily have increased cognitive and language development, which results in school readiness.

An added bonus, daily reading encourages healthy bonding between children and caregivers. Day 1 is vital in preparing our children for the future.

EARLY EDUCATION

HOSPITAL INITIATIVE

VIOLA HUBBARD

I love seeing the look on a new mother’s face when she realizes the importance of reading and

communicating with her child...

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Children who live in healthy, vibrant communities that offer rich learning opportunities have a better chance of entering kindergarten prepared, which sets them on the path for lifelong success.

We know that caregivers have the power to positively impact their children’s future, and our Early Learning Communities (ELCs) are giving them the tools they need to make sure that happens.

On average 1,168 caregivers and parents actively attend a variety of ELC workshops each month geared toward developing the skills they need to support their families. At an ELC, parents can form relationships with one another while learning nurturing caregiving skills, like the importance of reading, active play and healthy eating habits.“Connecting with the Early Learning Community was easy and a great way to learn how you can be a better parent, provider, aunt or uncle—it’s good for anyone who is responsible for children getting off to a good start in life,” said Candice, an ELC participant.

There are 65 Early Learning Community locations throughout Greater Detroit.

Past data collected by HighScope, an educational research foundation, indicates that the parents and children in our ELCshave seen positive growth: Children have increased scores from pre-test to post test three years running and families and caregivers have doubled the usage of ELC library materials.

United Way strives to make ELCs accessible to the community throughout Greater Detroit. There are 9 full-service hubs and 19 satellite locations. In the last year, we’ve taken the ELC programming to 65 community-based locations. Contact a hub to find your local ELC.

EARLY EDUCATION

EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITIES

According to the Brookings Institution, fewer than half of children living in poverty are ready for school at age 5. Children not kindergarten-ready are half as likely to read well by third grade. Children not reading proficiently by third grade are 4 times more likely to drop out, according to America’s Promise Alliance.

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ELC HUBS

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Development Centers, Inc.17321 Telegraph RoadDetroit, MI 48219(313) 255-0900 ext 2109

Leaps and Bounds Family Services8129 PackardWarren, MI 48089(313) 402-0802 or (586) 675-0451

Macomb Family Services36975 Utica Rd., Suite 102Clinton Twp, MI 48036(586) 226-3440 ext 246

Oakland County Child Care CouncilWebster Elementary School, 431 W. JarvisHazel Park , MI 48030(248) 658-5506

Oakland Family Services114 Orchard Lake Rd.Pontiac, MI 48341(248) 858-7766

Southwest Counseling Solutions5675 Larkins St.Detroit, MI 48210(313) 285-9323

Starfish Family Services30000 Hiveley RoadInkster, MI 48141(313) 937-2458

The Guidance CenterWalter White Community Center, 550 Eaton St.River Rouge, MI 48218(734) 785-7705 ext 7213Wayne Metro Community Action Agency138 Cortland St.Highland Park, MI 48203(313) 202-0304

REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERUnited Way for Southeastern Michigan660 Woodward Ave, Ste 300 Detroit, MI 48226

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United Way’s Social Innovation Fund (SIF) is addressing Greater Detroit’s long-term social and economic problems by investing in research to aid children. Through early childhood education research, United Way aims to ensure that at least 80 percent of children in Greater Detroit’s hardest-hit communities enter kindergarten ready to learn. In 2011, United Way for Southeastern Michigan was awarded a $4 million Social Innovation Fund grant by the White House’s Corporation for National and Community Service. The federal grant was awarded to only 20 other organizations during a three-year period.The SIF uses United Way’s Early Learning Communities (see page 14) to evaluate what works well, and under what conditions, so SIF can make recommendations for replication and scaling.In order to evaluate specific areas of early education best practices, United Way funded 11 projects via partner agencies that work directly in this sector. Every federal dollar invested is matched twice with private funds, tripling the potential impact.

By fostering private and public collaborations that identify, evaluate, and expand promising nonprofits, the SIF increases access to effective programs that enable people and communities in need to overcome their most pressing challenges in the areas of economic opportunity, youth development, and health.As of June 30, 2014, 10,632 youth and families had been served, according to the partner agencies.

EARLY EDUCATION

SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND (SIF)

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

• Programs that improve immigrant parents’ English skills while also teaching them about parenting and early literacy;

• A home-visit program that focuses on regular mentoring of parents by trained peers;

• A teaching artist residency, where the artists teach Head Start instructors how to use arts-based techniques to improve students’ literacy;

• A playgroup and home visit model to help ease the anxiety kids and families have about schools;

• A series of nutrition and literacy activities for Head Starts, with a superhero theme, that encourages kids to take what they’ve learned back home, improving the whole family’s health.

SOME PROJECTS INCLUDE:

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PROGRAM FUNDED PARTNERS• ACCESS• Detroit Parent Network• Detroit Public Television Foundation• Living Arts Detroit• Macomb Intermediate School District

Collaborative (partnered with Leaps & Bounds Family Services and Macomb Family Services)

• Matrix Family Services• National Kidney Foundation of

Michigan• Southwest Counseling Solutions• Starfish Family Services• The Guidance Center• Vanguard CDC

FUNDING SPONSORS• Corporation for National and

Community Service • GM Foundation • Bill & Lisa Ford Foundation• Ford Motor Company• FirstMerit Bank• Kresge Foundation• Joshua and Eunice Stone Family

Foundation

PARTNERS AND FUNDERS

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United Way for Southeastern Michigan knows that one of the best ways to affect the greatest changes in our children’s future is to provide them with a quality education. But the most crucial time to reach children is before they even set foot inside a classroom.

A child’s first learning experiences often take place with parents and childcare providers. That’s why United Way supports the Michigan Department of Education’s Great Start to Quality initiative, which helps parents find the best child care and preschool for their child and helps providers improve the care and education they give to children.

United Way provides technical assistance for childcare providers in the tri-county region through our Early Learning Community network (see page 14). Licensed childcare providers who choose to opt in to the Quality Rating and Improvement System start by taking a self-assessment survey. Providers are given an initial rating and are then provided with opportunities, such as workshops and resources, to improve their ratings and enhance their services.

To date, 881 licensed childcare providers have begun their journey to improve the quality of their early learning and care through this process. Ratings are kept in a searchable public database called Great Start Connect to provide parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about early learning and care for their children. United Way’s next step is to reach out to parents directly about Great Start to Quality assets.

EARLY EDUCATION

GREAT START TO QUALITY

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PARTNERS AND FUNDERS

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PROGRAM FUNDED PARTNERS• Leaps and Bounds• Macomb Family Services• Oakland Family Services• Oakland County Child Care Council• The Guidance Center• Starfish Family Services• Development Centers, Inc.• Wayne Metropolitan Community

Action Agency• Southwest Counseling Solutions

FUNDING SPONSORSCore funding for Great Start to Quality is provided through the State of Michigan via the federal Child Care Development Fund Block Grant and an additional state appropriation. The initiative is implemented by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, an independent and publicly-owned nonprofit coordinating Michigan’s efforts to build an efficient and effective early childhood development system.

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We know that a child’s educational success starts at birth, but we also know we can’t abandon our older students. That’s why in June 2008, our board of directors set a goal of turning around or shutting down 30 high schools in our region where the senior class size had dwindled to 60 percent of what it was as a freshmen class for three consecutive years.

We invited schools committed to achieving graduation rates of at least 80% to apply fora Turnaround Challenge.

Key elements for change were developed by Mass Insight Education, a nonprofit leader in education reform, and included:

With generous support from the AT&T Foundation and the Skillman Foundation,

United Way for Southeastern Michigan launched the United Way Venture Fund to provide resources to turn these failing schools into high-performing high schools. These initials schools are known as Network One. Chronic absences — a decades long problem — decreased within Network One by 25 percent within the first year. In 2013, the graduating class reached 80 graduation rates, an increase of 16 percentage points, which totaled 500 more students who would not have graduated under the past status quo.

Of course, our partners don’t just donate funds. They also give back time by offering job shadow days and mock interviews. Schools also focus on college preparation with opportunities for dual enrollment and campus visits.

One of the top graduating students from 2013, Stepha’n Q., will be entering his second year at Grand Valley State University where he is pursuing a degree in Public Administration

In 2010, the GM Foundation made an unprecedented donation of $27.1 million to activate a second network of students -- the GM Network of Excellence. These students will graduate in 2015.

HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL TURNAROUND

• Gaining public support for the belief that schools can achieve transformational change;

• Changing conditions to ensure all schools have strong leaders with site-based, decision-making authority;

• Increasing school’s capacity by offering partners to help with culture change, curriculum and instruction to create a nurturing, personalized learning environments for all students;

• Creating a network with common goals and metrics, that meet regularly to share and learn best practices.

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Detroit Rising College Preparatory Schools, Small Schools at Cody• Academy of Public Leadership at

Cody• Medicine and Community Health

Academy at Cody• Detroit Institute of Technology College

Prep High School at CodyDetroit Rising College Preparatory Schools, Small Schools at Osborn• Osborn Collegiate Academy of

Mathematics, Science & Technology• Osborn College Preparatory

Academy• Osborn Evergreen Academy of

Design, Technology, and Alternative Energy

Lincoln High SchoolMelvindale High School

NETWORK ONE

• Henry Ford High School• Central Collegiate Academy High

School• East Detroit High School• Madison High School• River Rouge New Tech International

High School• Hamtramck High School• Harper Woods High School

GM NETWORK OF EXCELLENCE

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PROVIDING PEOPLE WITH EMPLOYMENT

RESOURCES AND FISCAL LITERACY TOOLS

SO THEY CAN REACH FINANCIAL STABILITY

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INCOME

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INCOME

EARN IT, KEEP IT, GROW ITCHOOLAt United Way for Southeastern Michigan, we know that a thriving community depends on the financial stability of its residents.

United Way works to help people in need access benefits that can move them from crisis to self-sufficiency. Clients who want to grow their wealth can also use budgeting and coaching services offered by partner agencies. With vested partners, the following initiatives offer direct services to clients, and also work to transform the structure of workforce development.

RESULTSTo date, 14 sites offer financial coaching and job training services, 692 people improved their credit scores by an average of 121 points, and more than 1,600 people improved their net incomes by an average of $984.52. In addition, more than 500 people have been placed into employment.

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People need living-wage jobs to support themselves and their families. But they also need budgeting skills to learn how to spend and save wisely. The Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families (CWF) is an innovative partnership between United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). CWF sites are located within established nonprofit organizations and community agencies throughout Greater Detroit.

Along with Detroit LISC, we provide these partner nonprofits and agencies with funding, a best-practice business model and technical assistance, which are all designed to provide a comprehensive set of services to working families. These services help families learn to save, build assets and eventually move from negative net worth (debt) to positive net worth and financial independence. To make this happen, the CWF focuses on the integration of three programs:

Active CWF clients may qualify for Microgrants, funds that can be used for additional education, small-business loans and debt repayment. These grants help individuals get back on their feet with a solid plan for future success.

Angel T. benefited from a Microgrant to make repairs to his car, which enabled him to get back and forth to work at a local store as well as his side job as a journeyman electrician. Prior to the repairs, he was walking over two hours a day to get to work. The family was also paying more for groceries because they had to go to pricier, smaller markets near their home where they could carry their food back.

When individuals like Angel have the resources to meet their basic needs, they can plan for a brighter future and focus on growing their assets.

INCOME

GREATER DETROIT CENTERS FOR WORKING FAMILIES

• A career-focused workforce through providing education and skill-based training

• Financial management services (1:1 financial coaching, debt reduction, budgeting, etc.)

• Navigating public and private income supports, including free tax preparation services, access to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and microgrants.

ANGEL T.

United Way literally got me back on the road.

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CWF SITES

OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGANLighthouse of Oakland County 46156 Woodward Ave.Pontiac, MI 48343 248.920.6060

WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGANACCESS 6451 Schaefer Rd. Dearborn, MI 48126313.945.8105

ACCESS Macomb4301 East 14 mile Rd.Sterling Heights, MI 48310586.722.6036

The Guidance Center 550 Eaton St. River Rouge, MI 48218 734.785.7705

DETROIT–SOUTHWESTSER Metro–Southwest Detroit 9301 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48210313.945.5200

OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGANSouthwest Solutions 3627 West Vernor Highway Detroit, MI 48216313.841.9641

DETROIT–CENTRAL WOODWARD/NORTH END Focus:HOPE 1355 Oakman Blvd. Detroit, MI 48238313.494.5500

Operation ABLE4750 Woodward Ave., Suite 201Detroit, MI 48201313.832.0922

Goodwill Industries 7700 Second Ave. Detroit, MI 48202313.557.4848

NICK PIPER

When individuals have a stable income, they provide basic needs for their family, like a healthy meal. They

also save for retirement, purchase a home or invest in their community.

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INCOME

Through the work taking place in the Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families, it became apparent that more working families in Southeastern Michigan could benefit from financial literacy.

That’s why we created the Community Financial Center model as a spin-off program to offer Greater Detroit residents a meansto accomplish their financial goals. By partnering with trusted community-based organizations, CFCs assist families back on the path to financial stability by focusing on two key services to help clients keep and grow their finances:

“Financial Stability is critical for family success,” said Nick Piper, Financial Stability Manager at United Way.

COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CENTERS

• Offering one-on-one financial coaching (credit, budgeting, saving, etc.), while helping clients access income supports such as child care subsidies and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.

• Helping clients find more affordable financing options, like low-interest credit cards and loans; learn more about employer-offered benefits such as (401(k) 403(b) plans); and access tax return opportunities such as the earned income, child care and heating credits.

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CFC SITESCenter SitesChildren’s Aid Society7700 Second AvenueDetroit, MI 48202313.961.8100www.childrens-aid-society-mi.org

Matrix Human Services13560 East McNicholsDetroit, MI 48205313.526.4000www.matrixhumanservices.org

Starfish Family Services26429 Michigan AvenueInkster, MI 48141734.727.1066www.starfishonline.org

Urban League of Detroit andSoutheastern Michigan15770 James CouzensDetroit, MI 48238313.832.4600www.detroiturbanleague.org

Wayne Metro Community Action Agency2121 Biddle, Suite 102Wyandotte, MI 48192734.246.2280www.waynemetro.org

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In 2008, the Great Recession hit Greater Detroit and left it with staggering unemployment num-bers, some of the highest in the nation. Today, Michigan is still attempting to recover.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan knows that if our region is going to thrive, employment opportunities for all will be a key factor.

United Way joined with private and public investors in the formation of the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund (DRWF) in 2009 to support collaboration among employers and workforce de-velopment partners, focusing on green jobs, the hospitality industry and the healthcare sector.

United Way is not only a DRWF investor, it also serves as a connector between employers and partner agencies who work directly with clients seeking jobs.

The DRWF has multiple goals: to help employers attract and retain talent, to help job-seekers advance their training to earn higher wages, and to enhance the workforce development structure.

To date, more than 500 jobseekers have been placed in employment and another 1,000 plus were redirected into other career-training opportunities. (The DRWF continues

to monitor job placement numbers.) More than 100 employers are actively engaged in this work.

One of the DRWF’s pilot initiatives, Access for All, includes an apprenticeship readiness training program that prepares Detroit residents to compete for entry into building trades union registered apprenticeships. Successful completion of an apprenticeship can lead to journeyperson certification and a lifetime skilled trades career in the union construction industry. Apprenticeship readiness offers six training opportunities in the following building and construction trades: la-borers, operating engineers, iron workers, cement masons, carpenters and electricians.

The initiative recently graduated its first class of students in 2014.

Thanks to the DRWF and partners, this model can be replicated time and again to reach more jobseekers. It is just one example of how the DRWF is working to address structural barriers to employment.

In addition to the work in each sector, the DRWF has invested in workforce capacity building and advocacy through the creation and development of a Detroit Jobs Alliance (DJA), the Detroit Green Skills Alliance and the Detroit Talent hub.

INCOME

DETROIT REGIONAL WORKFORCE FUND

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PARTNERS AND FUNDERS

PROGRAM FUNDED PARTERS• Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

(CSW)• Detroit Green Skills Alliance (DGSA)• Detroit Jobs Alliance (DJA)• Detroit Talent Hub• Detroiters Working for Environmental

Justice• Eastern Market Corporation• EcoWorks (formerly WARM)• Fair Food Network• Michigan State AFL-CIO Human

Resources Development (HRDI)• Greening of Detroit• Henry Ford Community College• Michigan Infrastructure and

Transportation Association• Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute

(PHI)• Restaurant Opportunities Center

(ROC) • SER Metro-Detroit• Southwest Solutions

PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONSJoint Apprenticeship and Training Directors (JATC) from 6 trades:

carpenters, iron workers, operating engineers, electricians, cement masons and laborers• Local Initiatives Support Corporation• Michigan Department of

Transportation

WORKFORCE FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE• John S. and James L. Knight

Foundation• U.S. Department of Labor (through

Jobs for the Future)• United Way for Southeastern

Michigan (operator and fiscal agent) • The Kresge Foundation• W.K. Kellogg Foundation• The National Fund for Workforce

Solutions• Skillman Foundation• JP Morgan Chase Global

Philanthropy• Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan

Foundation• Ford Foundation• Detroit Economic Growth

Corporation

KAREN TYLER-RUIZ

A skilled workforce will ensure that more individuals can access not just jobs, but enter into careers that

pay family-sustaining wages. This makes Detroit and the metro region more competitive.

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CHANGING THE WAY WE HELP FAMILIES IN

CRISIS AND COMMUNICATING WITH PARTNERS

TO GET PEOPLE BACK ON STABLE GROUND

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BASIC NEEDS

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BASIC NEEDS

CRISIS TO STABILITYAt United Way for Southeastern Michigan, part of our work in Basic Needs is to help clients find pathways out of crisis so that they can move toward self-sufficiency. To accomplish this goal, we have created several networks with partner agencies to help clients navigate the complexities of accessing benefits and get help. At the same time, we evaluate the effectiveness of individual partners by tracking client data using a Self-Sufficiency Matrix.

RESULTSThe Self-Sufficiency Matrix is an assessment and outcome measurement tool based on the federal outcomes standard called ROMA (Results Oriented Management and Accountability). Clients are assigned ratings from 1 to 5 during intake, midpoints, and upon exit.

A rating of 1 in food accessibility might indicate that an individual does not know where his or her next meal is coming from, whereas a rating of 5 could indicate that a family not only has access and the means to buy food, but can purchase the items he or she wants. The goal is for a client to experience upward mobility on the Matrix.

United Way tracks the Matrix results to ensure that partners are sharing best practices and consistently moving clients forward.

The following initiatives and partners were chosen based on location, partnerships and community need.

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Individuals and families who are eligible for public benefits often struggle through the application process to obtain help for basic needs, such as food benefits, utility assistance and Medicaid.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Michigan Department of Human Services and other stakeholders wanted to streamline this process, easing the burden on families who would often spend valuable time traveling to multiple locations only to wait in long lines when applying for benefits.

A 24/7, secure, online portal called MI Bridges was developed to assist families access DHS benefits applications online. But some families didn’t have easy access to a computer or had challenges with computer literacy. More help was needed.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan managed a pilot called Michigan Benefits Access Initiative (later named Michigan Benefits Access), which continued these efforts supported community partners who were already providing direct services in areas like food and housing.

For clients in need and the agencies providing services, a benefits access tool like MI Bridges can be mutually beneficial. A family that uses the services provided by a United Way Early Learning Community (ELC) (see page 14), may also be eligible for food benefits. Once the family members have gained improved access to food, they may find more success in the ELC because they have the energy to participate fully in all the activities and exercises. In turn, the family’s success is the agency’s success.

Together, these community partners provided outreach to more than 300,000 people during the pilot, according to the Department of Human Services. Today, 40– 60% of all incoming DHS applications are being submitted via MI Bridges, and community partners are providing navigation assistance throughout the state.

While public benefits alone do not create self-sufficient families, they can provide short-term stability, giving them opportunities to plan for a brighter future.

MICHIGAN BENEFITS ACCESS (MBA)

BASIC NEEDS

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PARTNERS AND FUNDERS

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FUNDING SPONSORS• Open Society Foundation• Kresge Foundation• Kellogg Foundation• United Way for Southeastern Michigan• Department of Human Services.

BECOME A PARTNERTo become a partner, check balances or to recertify, click here.

Community partners able to assist in navigation and complete applications can be found by calling 2-1-1.

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There are hundreds of nonprofits in varying locations that assist individuals get help in meeting their basic needs, such as food and shelter. However, every agency does not have information about the range of resources available in a given community.

For instance, an agency offering overnight shelter may turn away a woman and her three children because there are no more beds available for the night. The agency may be unaware that another shelter in the region has space available for the family. As a result, the mother may spend precious hours attempting to find an alternative, or the family may be left with inadequate shelter. Or an agency may want to train its staff on the most up-to-date practices in the field, but lack the resources for training. Another agency just a few miles away may be willing and able to train and mentor others.

United Way recognized that situations like these provide an opportunity to improve collaboration between nonprofits so they can better serve people in need. United Way seized that opportunity, and, in 2008, created the pilot initiative Regional Alliances, which was formalized as an investment strategy in 2012. Our Regional Alliances are partnerships among 41 agencies. The 41 agencies are divided into five collaboratives, and each collaborative has one lead agency.

The collaboratives join forces to advocate to affect public policy and to decrease the costs

of their work. Some of the collaboratives also provide direct client-services.

By sharing knowledge and best practices, they use limited resources efficiently and promote common interests.

United Way measures success of these partnering agencies via the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (see page 33)

REGIONAL ALLIANCES

BASIC NEEDS

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PROGRAM FUNDED PARTNERS

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• Adult Well-Being Services• Alternatives For Girls• Lighthouse of Oakland County• Oakland Family Services• The Arc Michigan• Alzheimer’s Association - Greater

Michigan Chapter• Area Agency on Aging 1-B• Association of Chinese Americans• Bridging Communities, Inc.• Catholic Charities of Southeastern

Michigan• Catholic Social Services of Wayne

County• Community and Home Supports• Community Living Services, Inc.• Detroit Area Agency on Aging• Disability Network of Oakland and

Macomb• Elder Law of Michigan• Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan

Detroit• Macomb County• Macomb Family Services, Inc.• Matrix Human Services

• Neighborhood Service Organization• Northwest Community Services• Oakland Family Services• Oakland Livingston Human Service

Agency• People’s Community Services of

Metropolitan Detroit• Presbyterian Villages of Michigan• Wayne State University Institute of

Gerontology• Common Ground• Ruth Ellis Center• Starfish Family Services• Arc Services Macomb• The Arc Detroit• The Arc Downriver• The Arc of Dearborn/Dearborn Heights• The Arc of Northwest Wayne• The Arc of Oakland County• The Arc of Western Wayne• Crossroads of Michigan • Hope Center in Macomb• Macomb Family Services, Inc.• Starfish Family Services

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The Neighborhood Networks strategy was created in 2012 by United Way for Southeastern Michigan and uses an approach similar to Regional Alliances — bringing groups of agencies together to find ways to better serve people in need. (see page 38). It is composed of 33 agencies that make up two collaboratives in high-needs communities: Oakman Boulevard and Cody-Rouge.

Rather than working on advocating for institutional best-practices on a large-scale, like Regional Alliances, Neighborhood Networks improve the way services are provided in a specific neighborhood.

In most neighborhoods, even if there are several nonprofits within walking distance of one another, clients still must determine which service-providers to visit and end up repeating the reasons they are seeking assistance over and over again in a frustrating loop. Neighborhood Networks seeks to end

this frustration by providing direct-service to people in need. This new system mimics the communication among health care providers. For example, if a male patient thought he broke his leg, he would visit his primary care physician. After tests, that doctor might send him to a surgeon. After surgery, the surgeon might send the patient to a physical therapist for rehabilitation. It’s about managing resources better and improving communication.

Now, an agency staff member who is knowledgeable about all programs in a particular neighborhood directs clients to the right services for their specific needs. Clients can save time and energy through Neighborhood Networks and get their needs met quickly.

United Way measures success of these partnering agencies via the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (see page 33)

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS

BASIC NEEDS

BRANDON CHRISTOPHER, CANVAS DETROIT

It’s important to collaborate with people with similar passions to be impactful and to make a difference.

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PROGRAM FUNDED PARTNERS

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• Don Bosco Hall• Accounting Aid Society• Barney McCosky Youth Sports• Big Brothers Big Sisters• City Connect• City Year• Cody High School• Cody Rouge Community Action

Alliance Governance Board• Cody Rouge Faith Alliance• College for Creative Studies• Community High School• Detroit Impact• Detroit Public Library (Thomas Edison

Branch)• Developing KIDS• Development Centers, Inc.• Dixon Elementary/Middle School

• Educating U4 Life• Henry Ford Health Systems• Heritage Works• Joy/Southfield Community

Development Corporation• Legal Aid and Defenders Association• Michigan Works Affiliation

(Development Centers, Inc.)• PEEPS• Pewabic Pottery• Focus: Hope• Accounting Aid Society• Joy Preparatory Academy• Neighborhood Service Organization• New Paradigm Glazer Academy• Parkman Library• Wellspring Lutheran Services

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Bridging the Gap uses an approach similar to Neighborhood Networks (see page 40), except that agencies do work in individual collaboratives or focus on advocating for public policy change together. The Bridging the Gap strategy was created in 2012, providing direct service to individuals and creating a long-standing relationship with them, rather than working on public policy.

These agencies may provide services like case management; supportive housing programs for the homeless or formerly homeless; programs for seniors who want to live independently; substance abuse treatment, mental health services; shelter services for domestic violence victims, as well as other services designed to helping people meet their basic needs.

United Way measures success of these partnering agencies via the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (see page 33)

BRIDGING THE GAP

BASIC NEEDS

There are 33 agencies that participate in Bridging the Gap.

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PROGRAM FUNDED PARTNERS

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• Adult Well-Being Services• Alternatives For Girls• Alzheimer’s Association - Greater

Michigan Chapter• Arab American and Chaldean Council• Arab Community Center for Economic

and Social Services • Black Family Development, Inc.• CARE of Southeastern Michigan• Catholic Charities of Southeast

Michigan• Catholic Social Services of Wayne

County• Common Ground• Community Living Services, Inc.• Don Bosco Hall• Family Service of Detroit and Wayne

County• First Step Project on Domestic Assault• Franklin-Wright Settlements, Inc.• Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind

and Visually Impaired• HAVEN, Inc.

• Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit

• Jewish Vocational Service and Community Workshop

• Lakeshore Legal Aid• Latin Americans for Social and

Economic Development, Inc.• Macomb Homeless Coalition• Matrix Human Services• National Council on Alcoholism and

Drug Dependence• Neighborhood Service Organization• Northwest Community Services• Oakland Livingston Human Service

Agency• People’s Community Services of

Metropolitan Detroit• Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan• South Oakland Shelter• The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan

Division• Turning Point • YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

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BASIC NEEDS

ENDING HUNGER In Greater Detroit, one in five 5 kids is at risk of not getting the nutritious food that every child needs daily in order to grow strong and healthy. United Way for Southeastern Michigan believes that when families can spend less time worrying about accessing food for their children, they can spend more time planning for a brighter future.

United Way works in several ways to ensure that children have access to food, including, but not limited to, advocating for policies that continue funding programs like school lunches, expanding universal breakfast programs and after-school snacks; working with schools to start community gardens; partnering with Cooking Matters, an initiative to educate adults on healthy cooking on a budget; and Meet Up and Eat Up, an initiative that provides meals Monday through Friday to kids 18 and younger during the summer when school is out on break.

RESULTSBecause of these programs to end hunger, 1.45 million children were fed during the summer of 2013.

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Where do families go when they need help? They call 2-1-1. This 24/7/365 referral helpline is a free, confidential service that connects individuals and families with local community-based organizations across the state that offer thousands of programs and services for people seeking help.

2-1-1 has information on more than 30,000 different statewide programs and services across the state.

Last year, more than half a million Michigan residents turned to 2-1-1 for health and human service information and referrals—and the numbers continue to grow.

Utility payment assistance during the winter months and food pantries have been the most frequently referred services in 2-1-1.

In 2013, in partnership with DTE, we launched the Low Income Self-Sufficiency Program (LSP) to help families who were at 150% of the poverty level enroll into a cost-sharing approach to manage their heating bills, which offers significant savings to families. Nearly 17,300 families were enrolled in the first year. Our Community Care Advocates offer patience and empathy to each caller.

2-1-1

BASIC NEEDS

LSP RECIPIENT

I was so worried about keeping my heat on this winter, and now that I’m on the LSP program I feel

like I can sleep better knowing I don’t have to worry about the cold. Thank you so much.

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In Greater Detroit, 1 in 5 kids are at risk of not getting the nutritious foods each day that they need to grow strong and healthy.

Healthy food is essential for success; kids who experience hunger have poorer health, academic and social outcomes.

For those who rely on free and reduced-price school lunches, the risk of going hungry is even greater in the summertime. United Way is responding to this crisis by supporting Meet Up and Eat Up, which is both a program and a call to action where kids can get tasty, nutritious meals, hang out with friends, and have fun all summer long — at no cost.

And for every child who eats at Meet Up and Eat Up all summer, families can save $300 – dollars that can be used to help families with other basic needs, like utilities and housing. Currently, only 15% of kids who are on free and reduced-price school lunches attend Meet Up and Eat Up.

Meet Up and Eat Up sites are located in kid-friendly areas all across our region, including parks, recreation centers and libraries. The Michigan Department of Education administers the program and meals are paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In 2013, more than 1.45 million meals were served at Meet Up and Eat Up sites in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.

MEET UP AND EAT UP

MEALS SERVED

1,454,971

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CORPORATE PARTNERS

• Chrysler Group LLC• Comerica Bank• DTE Energy Foundation• Ford Motor Company• General Motors Corporation• Lear Corporation

$1 MILLION +

• AT&T• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Foundation• Deloitte LLP• Penske Corporation• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP• UPS

$500,000 – $1 MILLION

• AAA Michigan• BorgWarner• Enterprise Holdings, N.E.C.• EY• Fifth Third Bank• General Dynamics Land Systems• Meijer Corporation• Quicken Loans Inc.

$250,000 – $500,000

Meet the corporations who are helping change Greater Detroit’s landscape.

CORPORATE PARTNERS

NICOLE MCKINNEY

These partnerships are invaluable to our

students. They help our students prepare for a successful future and

we are grateful for their investment.

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