Great Families 2020

The history of the Northwest area began with the opening of the Central Canal in 1839. About that time, Nathaniel West erected a cotton mill near the spot where the Michigan Road crossed the canal; this led to a small settlement known as Cottontown. The neighborhood began to blossom in the decade following the turn of the century. One important factor was increasing mobility. The extension of interurban (electric railway) lines into the area made the west side easily accessible to other parts of the city

There are now 17,000 residents in this area. Most residents (69%) are Black. 18% of the population is White and 8% is Hispanic/Latinx. 1.5% of the population is Asian. There are 3,800 youth in this neighborhood. It is home to IPS School 87 (385 students) and IPS School 60 (620 students). 

The Northwest Side was also home to the Great Families program, a two-generational approach to building social capital and financial capital with families in need. In this story, we will explore that program and its impacts.

Great Families 2020 was a service delivery model that uses family coaching to direct families in need of financial services to evidence-based interventions and wraparound services using the Aspen Institute’s  Ascend two-generational approach  (2Gen). This approach focuses on providing services to both parents or caregivers and their children, emphasizing high-quality early learning for children and employment pathways and economic asset-building for the parents. Furthermore, the 2Gen approach stresses the need for social capital and health and wellbeing for the whole family to improve long-term outcomes for both parents and children, recognizing each of these components is critical. 

In summary, the five key components of the model as implemented by Great Families 2020 were (1) high quality early childhood development, (2) postsecondary and employment pathways, (3) economic assets, (4) health and wellbeing, and (5) social capital.

The Northwest/Midtown Great Families 2020 program included programming from the  Martin Luther King Community Center , through which case management services were provided, as well as personal finance services both on-site and at a neighborhood Center for Working Families. Participating families worked with a family support coach and community engagement specialist to discuss and set personal and family goals and receive referrals to other services in the community. Families also worked with a financial coach about topics such as budgeting, building credit, and saving. They also received support in the areas of education and employment. Participating children were enrolled in high-quality early childhood education nearby. 

In the Northwest/Midtown neighborhood, 101 families were served by Great Families 2020. Eligible families are defined as at least one custodial parent or caregiver and at least one child (ages 0–6), living together as part of a family, who need economic support or stabilization services. In all, 103 parents or caregivers and 107 children enrolled in this neighborhood program. 

Program efforts: 79 parents or caregivers received financial counseling and 63 financial goals were set.

Outcomes: Family incomes increased.

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Program efforts: 127 social capital events were held and 53 participants attended at least one event.

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“I'm not going to be this program forever, so I'm learning every day, and at the same time planning for the long term. So I think with the budgeting they’re doing a nice job with that, because it's not just for the day-today only. It’s for a way longer period.”

- Program Participant

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91% of parents or caregivers participated in coaching. 94 parents or caregivers attended an average of 6.2 family coaching meetings.

76% of parents and caregivers received a warm referral, when coaches actively support the family to make sure they are connected to services. In all, 78 parents or caregivers received 375 referrals.

The most common type of referrals were for community and family services. 43% of referrals were in this category.

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The Martin Luther King Community Center shared resources and partnered with many organizations across the city, including other Great Families partners. The network map below shows the connections Martin Luther King Community Center made with nonprofits. Great Families 2020 partners are colored blue. Click on the network map to interact with it.

Breaking the cycle of poverty in families is difficult—but it can be done, with your help. United of Central Indiana's Family Opportunity Fund supports programs to improve the education, financial stability and overall health of the whole family, providing pathways for their success and long-term stability. With your gift, you are giving families the tools they need to secure their own futures.

For more about the Family Opportunity Fund, visit  https://uwci.org/family-opportunity .