We’re working with public schools to create a climate that ensures success for kids of color and their families.
Along with Portland State University, nonprofit partners and two school districts, we’ve launched coordinated high school graduation pilots that are increasing graduation rates and deepening our community’s knowledge of interventions implemented by culturally specific and culturally responsive organizations that have had the highest impact for kids and families of color.
The Community Transformation funding strategy is a long-term investment in one group, or collaborative, whose mission is to transform the communities in our region that face the highest rates of poverty, using the Collective Impact Model. The group selected for this grant, Successful Families 2020, is comprised of five of our region’s leading nonprofit organizations serving low-income and culturally specific communities. Working in collaboration with United Way through the creation and implementation of a business and work plan, this collaborative will create a blueprint for success in communities of color in Multnomah County.
The Community Transformation partnership represents a long-term commitment and an investment of approximately $3.75 million dollars or $750,000 per year over the next five years. (Funding to the selected non-profits is contingent on the funding United Way receives as an organization).
Additionally, United Way was recently awarded a $2 million dollar grant by Multnomah County to continue to serve as the backbone agency for SF2020 over the next two years, exceeding the original five year commitment. This grant will not only serve United Way, but will greatly impact our partners: Multnomah County, SEI, MFS, Latino Network, IRCO, NAYA, Reynolds School District, and David Douglas School District.
Lead Organization:
Self Enhancement, Inc.
Geography:
Multnomah County
Communities Served:
Successful Families 2020 defines itself as a community by its geography, demography, and cultural and social ties serving communities of color, African American, Latino, Native American, Asian and refugee and immigrant families in Multnomah County.
Overview of Collaborative:
Our partners share UWCW's commitment to invest in our region's kids and reduce childhood poverty while putting equity at the center of the work. To better align efforts and achieve system change, we believe four new infrastructure systems must be created: 1) a repaired safety net, 2) an integrated pipeline for student success, 3) the ways and means to family economic success, and 4) the rich social fabric of a connected community. In support of these goals we are moving towards more sharing of evidence-based solutions tailored to the cultural specifics of each community. We believe there is great promise in adapting to other communities successful solutions. Working with UWCW in building a collaborative infrastructure for long-term impact, we commit our knowledge, resources, relationships, and leadership to this worthy enterprise.
Participating Partners:
- Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
- Latino Network
- Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)
- Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
- Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI)
Find more information on Successful Families 2020 below: