Heartland's IDEA Initiative Goes to Where They Work

From Eleanor Foundation:

Single mothers are hard-working independent women. According to the Eleanor Foundation's groundbreaking research report, "The Future Depends Upon Single Moms," 67% of America's working single mothers work 40 hours a week or more. And 95% of them receive no public assistance whatsoever. The day-in, day-out realities of their working lives pose unique challenges to these women.

Eleanor Network member Heartland Human Care Services (HHCS) is addressing this challenge—and rethinking its approach to service delivery—by meeting working women where they are: at work. "All the traditional social services outreach techniques go out the window when you're trying to reach working women," said Lisa Mayse-Lillig, Associate Director of Asset Building and Homeless Prevention. "One thing that we've found works is developing employer partnerships."

In 2009, HHCS added 17 new local partnerships with local employers, for a total of 63. These partners range from daycare centers and social service providers to retailers and professional service firms. While their industries are varied, they share a common interest in stabilizing their workforce. "Studies have shown that employees who experience financial stress are up to 30% less productive," explained Carmen Jimenez, the HHCS Employer Partnerships Manager.

HHCS's IDEA initiative—an employer—centered model—embodies an asset-building approach to advancing single working women economically. Carmen and her colleagues work on-site with employers to offer employees a series of workshops and individual consultation on career and educational advancement, and connect them to housing, childcare and financial management support. HHCS also delivers a financial management curriculum that includes credit building and financial planning assistance. When complete, women have access to the HHCS match savings program. For those who open savings accounts and make six consecutive months of deposits, the IDEA Initiative provides a 2:1 match. In 2009, 43 women saved nearly $13,500. More than a third had their savings matched.

"In my business, better teachers mean better credibility and a stronger business," said Stacy Olszewski, owner and president of the State of Illinois Child Development Center in Chicago's Loop. "Investing in your employees is good for your bottom line and your customers."

For the initiative's employer partners, the program strengthens their employees' support network and provides valuable benefits at no cost to their companies. Many see increased stability among their employees, higher productivity and improved customer service. "In my business, better teachers mean better credibility and a stronger business," said Stacy Olszewski, owner and president of the State of Illinois Child Development Center in Chicago's Loop. "Investing in your employees is good for your bottom line and your customers."

Like many small business owners, Stacy saw the recession's impact on her company and her teachers, about 30% of whom are single working mothers. Health insurance costs went up 15% in a year. Staff contributions to their 401k investments went down. And after state budget cuts, Stacy was forced to consider cutting teachers' salaries. When she overheard her teachers talking about payday loans, she knew it was time for action. She met with Jiminez of Heartland, who started their partnership by providing a financial management workshop. Talk of payday loans stopped and the partnership grew to now offer the program's full range of support services.