Foundations for SuccessCollaborative Models & Partnerships

AssetBuilders Partnership

Agenda…Agenda…

Introduction to the Winnipeg AssetBuilders Partnership

Program replication successThe story…(panel presentations)Questions

AssetAssetBuilders Builders PartnershipPartnership

Collaborative effort to provide asset building programs as a strategy to reduce poverty in communities across Manitoba

Telling the story… Jason Granger, United Way Winnipeg Fitsum Getahun, Immigrant and Refugee Community

Organization of MB Jackie Hope, SEED Winnipeg Maia Graham-Derham -Assiniboine Credit Union Tiffany Barbosa, SEED Winnipeg

Our approach today…

What are some key components for successful program replication?

Started with questionsOpen to opportunityFollowed by action

Jason Granger, United Way

Jason GrangerJason Granger, , United Way

Flexibility reflection – ability to share and learn; ability to make changes when needed

Adaptation – ability to implement suggested changes

Innovation – the result of the aboveRecognition – taking time to celebrate

successes

Jan 2000 – Mar 2006701 Participants…saved $439,093…with $578,987 in matched funds…for a combined total of $1,018,080 in

assets for low-income families

SEED programs – to March 2006

Cumulative to March 31, 2011**1,709 Participants…saved $1,034,387…plus $1,595,160 in matched funds for a combined total of $2,629,547

in assets for low-income families

◦ **Does not include participants currently saving

SEED + AssetBuilders Partnership

AssetBuilders Partnership

AssetAssetBuilders Builders Partnership 2006Partnership 2006

AssetAssetBuilders Builders Partnership Partnership 2006 plus…2006 plus…

SamaritanHouseMinistries

Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corp.

Roblin-CartwrightCommunity Development Corporation

And new Partners for 2009/10

IRCOM A Wholistic

Housing Model for New Canadians

Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) Inc.

Fitsum Getahun, Fitsum Getahun, IRCOM Supportive Housing for Supportive Housing for NewcomersNewcomers

The IRCOM CommunityThe IRCOM Community308 Immigrants & Refugees from over 15

countries who speak 25 languages

“If you are here to help me then you are wasting your time, but if you are here because your liberation is tied up in

mine then let us begin.”- Lily Walker

The Context – Quick The Context – Quick FactsFactso Manitoba is bringing in 12,000 newcomers

each year (60,000 in the next 5 years)

o There is a 0% social housing vacancy rate and 1% private housing vacancy rate in Winnipeg

o Newcomer youth in grades 9 – 12 have a drop out rate of over 60% and are increasingly more involved in gangs

The Context – Quick Facts The Context – Quick Facts (cont’d)(cont’d)o Refugees are paying off transportation loans,

an average of $10,000 per family

o Newcomers who came to Canada live in poverty comparable to developing nations

The difference between an Immigrant & a Refugee = CHOICE

AssetBuilders PartnershipIRCOM & SEED Money Management Training Train-

the-Trainer Community Consultation

IRCOM as an ABP partnerIRCOM as an ABP partnerCommunity consultation organized in 2009

IRCOM Staff attended train the trainer workshops with SEED

Money Management Training delivered in first languages, Amharic and Karen

Topics covered: Budgeting, Goal Setting, Community Economic Development , Saving for Children’s Education

IRCOM joined the Winnipeg Asset Builders Partnership in 2009

IRCOM ABP IRCOM ABP a successful replication a successful replication

IRCOM adapted MMT materials originally developed by SEED to accommodate our EAL participants which resulted in:◦Active learning and understanding of new

terms and contents◦Demand/high interest rate and engagement ◦100% participation and attendance rate,

perfect saving patterns and timely asset purchases

IRCOM ABP IRCOM ABP a successful replication a successful replication (cont’d) (cont’d) ABP at IRCOM expanded in 2010/201144 participants graduated from the MMT at

IRCOM18 new computers and 6 sets of furniture have

been purchased since 2010 17 more assets will be purchased soonIRCOM continues to grow as a learning

organization

IRCOM Money Management Training December 2010December 2010

IRCOM Money Management Training March 2011March 2011

Benefits to the Benefits to the ParticipantsParticipants

Gained skills relevant to make decisions regarding finances

Provided with financial support which enhanced their settlement process and planted a sense of belonging

Learned to use main stream banking services versus outlets like pay day lenders and pawn shops

Shared stories and cultural practices unique to their communities with others

Surya Chherri and his familyI learnt a lot from the Asset Building program...how to shop around, how to manage our money, etc. I was able to purchase a laptop which will be helping me with my school. It makes my life easy. Owning a computer for the first time feels really good!

“I didn’t even know how to use a computer before this time.”

When I came to Canada, I had no idea how to save money. I get money; I spend money that was how I was. Asset Building Program thought me how to count, plan and save for an asset.

Almaz Fira

Asset Building Program benefited my family with an asset that we would not have been able to afford. As newcomers, we are low-income and have no jobs. I learnt how to manage my income and plan ahead from the training. ABP helps newcomers in their transition to a Canadian life.

Sifo Boramsso

Said Said OmerOmer

If I wasn’t part of the Asset Building Program, it would have taken me long to purchase this asset. Money Management Training thought me how to save money and plan ahead. ABP will benefit anyone especially newcomers to make them feel at home. I always appreciate the financial support we receive in Canada; it helps us survive when we are in crisis.

Lessons Learned

The acquisition of content area language (banking terms) is a barrier for newcomers and is not essential for them to acquire services provided they understand the concepts

Many newcomers exist in perpetual survival mode which makes setting goals and planning for the future difficult for them

There is a belief among traumatized refugees that they will not make it to old age and that their children will not make it to adulthood

Lessons Learned (cont’d)

In a safe classroom environment, participants can share stories, some are of life back home but some can be of the trauma they have experienced

Newcomers appreciate the help and the determination Canadians offer to help them settle in their new home

• Provide training and support services in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect

• Adapt our services to reflect the needs of the community based on consultations with the community

• Create education and employment opportunities for newcomers so that they can provide the services to their own communities

Considerations

• Ensure that the work we do reflects our own intrinsic values and that our own fate is tied up with the people we serve

• Remember that we are here to provide “a hand up, not a hand out”

Considerations (cont’d)

Fitsum Getahun, Program Coordinatorfitsumg@ircom.ca

www.ircom.ca

Jackie Hope, Jackie Hope, Director of Operations, SEEDDirector of Operations, SEED

The beginnings…Site selectionTrain the trainerThe structure…AssetBuilders

Partnership agreementGrowth!

Maia Graham-Derham Maia Graham-Derham Financial Access Program Financial Access Program Manager, Assiniboine Credit Manager, Assiniboine Credit UnionUnionACU’s mission & alignment with SEED

WinnipegSpecial financial product developmentTechnical support for expansionCommitted to AssetBuilders Partnership

successPoverty awareness

Tiffany Barbosa, Saving Tiffany Barbosa, Saving Circle Participant, FGWRCCircle Participant, FGWRC

Experience as a refugeeExperience as a Saving Circle

participantTiffany’s journey to SEED

Potential Challenges…Potential Challenges…

Monitoring program qualityLack of high level organizational

commitment to program successStaff turnover

Benefits…Benefits…

Can significantly scale up a successful program

Cost & time savingsCollaboration to build program

effectivenessCreates a community of practice

Key Elements for Replication Key Elements for Replication SuccessSuccessEvidence of program effectivenessHigh level organizational

commitmentAdequate resourcesMechanism for quality controlProgram integrationEvaluation

Questions?Questions?

Program replication Program replication resources…resources…

www.aypf.org/publications/the%20way.pdf

www.issuelab.org/research/laying_a_solid_foundation_strategies_for_effective_program_replication