Keeping People Working
Thursday, November 20, 2014
(Left) A Resource Coordinator in Vermont works with a Sheraton Hotel Manager to make sure his staff members are connected to resources that promote financial stability. (Right) An employee at Rhino Foods makes their famous cookie dough ice cream for Ben & Jerry's. Rhino Foods is an impressive organization that embraces the Working Bridges program. This is a sweet relationship with sweet results!
Contributor: Tony Gonzalez, Vice President of Community Development at United Way Fox Cities
In late October, I had the good fortune of visiting the United
Way in Burlington, Vermont to learn about how their community is
helping people attain financial stability. Their Working Bridges
program, built from the Bridges Out of Poverty community support
program is a model of how communities come together with a shared
commitment to reduce poverty.
Simply put, this program is about a community recognizing the
delicate nature of poverty. It is about understanding that
individuals who are making $10-$18 per hour are one car accident,
medical procedure or home repair away from being thrown into a
financial tailspin. It is about human services and businesses
working together to build supports around those individuals in low-
to moderate-paid positions so they can retain their jobs and
financial stability. It is also about employers retaining good
people who are able to maintain work attendance and
productivity.
This program is a great example of bringing people from across the
community to collaborate and make a difference. Employers, credit
unions and the United Way are investing in Resource Coordinators
who come to the workplace and connect people with "income supports"
(e.g. food, clothing, transportation, child care, housing, state
benefits, etc.), provide short- term low interest loans, and
education to prevent financial crises and keep people
working.
Communities invest in many ways to address complex issues like
poverty and much can be learned from staying connected with best
practices like Working Bridges. As an organization, United Way Fox
Cities continues to work to keep informed on innovative practices
and we invite you to do the same at the links below.
www.workingbridges.org: Working
Bridges is an employer collaborative dedicated to improving
workplace productivity, retention, advancement and financial
stability for employees.
www.ahaprocess.com/solutions/community:
Aha! Process's Bridges Out of Poverty community support
program provides a family of concepts, workshops, and products to
help employers, community organizations, social service agencies,
and individuals address and reduce poverty in a comprehensive
way.
www.bcorporation.net: B
Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous
standards of social and environmental performance, accountability,
and transparency. Rhino Foods is a certified B Corporation,
helping to lead a global movement to redefine success in
business.