Great Families 2020

The Near Westside is bounded by 16th Street to the north, Tibbs Avenue to the west, Washington Street to the south, and White River to the east; it includes three historically distinct neighborhoods: Haughville, Stringtown, and Mt. Jackson. 

Early settlement was driven by transportation and industry. The National Road and later several railroads provided transportation to factories in the neighborhood. Laborers from northern Europe (including Irish immigrants) and southern Europe (including Slovenian immigrants) migrated to the area for industrial jobs.

Many manufacturers have now closed or moved to other locations, but industry and transportation are still important to the neighborhood's economy. Nearby hospitals also provide thousands of local jobs.

There are now 17,000 residents in this neighborhood. Two thirds are people of color, including 5,000 Hispanic/Latinx residents. There are 5,000 youth living in Near West. Over 2,800 children are enrolled in public schools located in this neighborhood, including at George Washington High School. This is the neighborhood’s largest school, with 444 enrolled students. 

The Near Westside 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 Near Westside Great Families 2020 program included programming from  Hawthorne Community Center , through which case management services were provided, as well as personal finance services through the on-site Center for Working Families. Participating families worked with a family coach 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. Participating children were enrolled in high-quality early childhood education both on-site and at nearby off-site locations.

Additionally, Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) provided parenting supports through its Natural Caregiver program. This program was designed to empower families in the community, provide additional supports, and connect program participants to necessary resources in the Near Westside neighborhood. 

In the Near Westside neighborhood, 222  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, 224  parents or caregivers and 278  children enrolled in this neighborhood program. 

Program efforts: 43 social capital events were held and a total of 238 participants attended an event.

Outcomes: Families increased their knowledge of where to find resources when in need.

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Program efforts: 9 mental and physical health goals completed.

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“[I hear] other people’s experiences and tell them about mine. From there I take the best [approaches] and apply them to my life.”

“I think that one [goal I achieved] is that I am no longer depressed. I’m no longer sad. I am no longer going around with a dull face. I have changed a little bit now. I feel more free, with more responsibility.”

- Program Participant

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92% of parents or caregivers participated in coaching. 206 parents or caregivers attended an average of 12.4 family coaching meetings.

22% of parents and caregivers received a warm referral, when coaches actively support the family to make sure they are connected to services. In all, 49 parents or caregivers received 96 referrals.

56% of referrals were in the community and family category, making it the most common type.

The Hawthorne Community Center (HCC) and MCCOY shared resources and partnered with many organizations across the city, including other Great Families partners. The network map below shows the connections HCC and MCCOY made with nonprofits. Great Families 2020 partners are colored blue.

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://www.uwci.org/family-opportunity .