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2007
Program Services Annual Report:
Communities
Investing in Families programs provided the following services
across a five-county region during 2007:
Ways to Work: Car Loan/Repair Program:
This program offers working families with poor or no credit the
opportunity to purchase a used vehicle, or repair a vehicle through
a low-interest loan, and to receive financial literacy training and
budgeting assistance throughout their loan period. In 2007,
forty-five loans were completed that helped families maintain or
improve their employment situations, and improved their credit
histories.
Car Donation Program:
The Car Donation Program is a partnership of area faith, business,
and social service organizations seeking donations of quality used
vehicles. This partnership receives, inspects and cleans donated
vehicles, makes any needed minor repairs, and distributes the
vehicles to the neediest families in our region, increasing their
employment stability. In 2007, the Car Donation Program received
and processed 17 vehicles, helping 11 families improve their ability
to maintain employment.
Integrated Services Project:
The
Integrated Services Project improves the economic stability of
families who have serious and multiple challenges to
self-sufficiency and employment. The project addresses specific
challenges for families’ participating in the Minnesota Family
Investment Program (MFIP), working 1-1 with adults and children
within the family, and providing or arranging for integrated
services that are accessible and cost effective. Staff members also
identify and document policy/system challenges that can interfere
with the delivery of services for adults and children. During 2007,
this project provided supportive services for 158 adults and 240
dependent children.
Families Forward Tuition Assistance:
This project provides tuition assistance to rural low-income
individuals seeking training or education to improve their
work-related skills, leading to higher wages. During 2007, tuition
assistance was provided to 51 individuals across the five-county
region.
More Money More $ense
- Financial Literacy:
CIF’s newest project, More Money-More $ense, offers two hour
money management classes to the public covering topics such as:
Understanding Your Credit History and Credit Score; Preventing
Personal Identity Theft; Credit Do’s and Don’ts; Tips for Smarter
Shopping; Personal Budgeting Tips. Classes are offered
free-of-charge to anyone ages 15 and older. 66 persons attended
More Money-More $ense sessions during the first month of the
project, which began mid-January 2008. Total session attendance for
2008 is projected to be 900-1000 persons.
The
organization’s annual budget is $490,492. 8% is used for
administration. |
