"Bright Futures" for all San Diegans

San Diegans Can Have "Bright Futures"

By Doug Sawyer, signonsandiego.com "Commentary"
12:02 a.m., Dec. 22, 2011

Over 30 percent of San Diegans are unable to make ends meet.

On a daily basis, we hear about the Occupy movement and the “99 percent.” We read numerous stories about financial woes and low-income families throughout San Diego County, with the kind of inequity that makes the “American dream” of opportunity harder to reach than ever before.

But how do we help?

We achieve solutions by working together as a community.

Heather, a 33-year-old single mom and waitress, homeless along with her young son, is one example. With the help of Community Housing Works, a United Way-supported program, and its resources, she completed a “Financial Fitness” class, improved her credit, paid down her debt and began saving for the future. Heather said, “I didn’t want my son to end up the same way I did.”

From our work in the personal financial sector since 2006, we have proved it possible for adults and youth to attain financial independence through a combination of education, job skills development and behavioral changes.

Without this support for both adults and youth, the vicious cycle of poverty and homelessness will continue. Children need to learn the value of saving early, and adults need to learn these skills to set a healthy example for their children and sustain their families. Parents can’t model what they don’t know.

This is not just an individual issue, however. Financial stability for families fosters a productive and strong workforce, as well as more successful communities boosted by employment and homeownership. It also prepares the next generation to help avoid future economic downturns.

As a community of businesses, government, other nonprofits, concerned citizens and more, we all need to do our part to create positive change. This includes spreading the word about local income issues, bringing together resources and people, lending our time and talent to assist our fellow San Diegans and supporting current programming. Everybody can do something to help.

Through our Bright Futures initiative, we teach a holistic and practical approach to financial self-sufficiency. United Way of San Diego County funds and coordinates Bright Futures programs, implementing them through a variety of partners throughout the county, including Community Housing Works, International Rescue Committee, MAAC Project, Money Management International, North County Lifeline, SAY San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission and South Bay Community Services.

The financial challenges faced by disadvantaged and immigrant youth, the homeless and low-income families, as well as individuals who make too much to qualify for public assistance but not enough for self-sufficiency, are the targets of Bright Futures. Three program levels are available for: Youth (basic financial education for ages 18 and under); Adult Basic (basic financial education for ages 18 and over); and Adult Intermediate (financial education, job skills development and benefits screening/enrollment for over 18).

As part of its Community Impact business model, over the last five years United Way has invested $3.4 million assisting 150,000 San Diegans to achieve greater financial stability. Our latest initiative, Bright Futures, launched in February. So far, results have shown increased financial knowledge and savings, decreased debt, better budget preparation, increased credit scores and more.

For example, nearly 500 children and teens have finished programs, including completing hundreds of job applications, résumés and mock interviews. These young San Diegans increased their financial knowledge by an average of 78 percent, as demonstrated through pre- and post-assessments. The 1,400 participating adults have increased their financial knowledge by an average increase of 128 percent. And 100 of them have secured jobs, while another 100 individuals increased their wages in their current jobs. In addition, three individuals have purchased homes through the Individual Development Accounts (IDA) matching savings accounts program.

If this is what one entity can accomplish in less than a year, imagine what we can achieve long-term by mobilizing the entire community – businesses, organizations, community leaders and everyday San Diegans.

Sawyer is president and CEO of United Way of San Diego County.

About United Way of San Diego County
United Way of San Diego County is a nonprofit organization that for 90 years has improved lives by mobilizing the community and raising funds to solve Education, Income and Health issues. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. To learn more about the United Way, visit http://www.uwsd.org or Facebook.