Disrupting Poverty Impact Study by Monique Linder

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 !

TABLE!OF!CONTENTS! EXECUTIVE!SUMMARY!............................................................................................................!3!

DISRUPTING!POVERTY,!PART!ONE!...........................................................................................!5!

MINNESOTA’S!CHANGING!DEMOGRAPHICS!..........................................................................!24!

THE!ECONOMICS!OF!POVERTY!...............................................................................................!31!

CONCLUSION,!PART!ONE!.......................................................................................................!35!

APPENDIX,!PART!1!.................................................................................................................!38!

DISRUPTING!POVERTY,!PART!TWO!........................................................................................!44!

WHAT!IS!THE!SIGNIFICANCE!OF!DISRUPTING!POVERTY!TO!MINNESOTANS?!..........................!46!

The!Minnesota!Housing!Crisis!................................................................................................!51!

THE!IMPACT!OF!COMMUNITY!SOCIAL!SERVICES!PROVIDERS!.................................................!54!

Mentoring!Young!Adults!Impact!............................................................................................!56!

MYA!LOGIC!MODEL!STRATEGY!PLANNING!MEETING!REVIEW!(OCTOBER!2015)!......................!58!

CONCLUSION!...........................................................................................................................!6!

APPENDIX,!PART!TWO!...........................................................................................................!63!

MENTORING!YOUNG!ADULTS!2015!DATA!ANALYSIS!..............................................................!64!

ADDENDUM!..........................................................................................................................!70!

REFERENCES!..........................................................................................................................!77!

INTERVIEW!LINKS!..................................................................................................................!79!

UNIVERSITY!OF!MINNESOTA!RESEARCH!PUBLISHING!POLICY!!................................................!80!

2

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 EXCUTIVE!SUMMARY The$second$edition$of$the$MYA$Disrupting$Poverty$impact$study$concentrates$ on$educating$the$community$how$to$create$a$community$driven$continuum$ of$care$social$services$network$based$on$data,$research$and$numerous$ interviews$and$engagement$with$MYA$clients,$policy$makers,$local$and$state$ government$agencies,$community$leaders,$non?profit$funding$organizations,$ local$activists,$healthcare$providers$and$clergy.$$$$ Success$is$driven$by$the$will$of$the$stakeholders$to$decide$that$reducing$ poverty$is$a$number$one$priority$that$will$benefit$the$community$at$large$ through$cost$reduction$and$improved$efficiency$in$our$social$services$policies$ that$have$failed$highly$populated$urban$communities$of$color$like$Saint$Paul,$ Minnesota.$$Change$takes$the$will,$leadership,$belief$and$engages$the$ community$it$serves$to$work$together$to$Disrupt$Poverty.$$$ Disrupting$Poverty$I,$analyzed$data$from$Mentoring$Young$Adults,$a$critical$ needs$social$services$agency$located$in$the$heart$of$the$extreme$poverty$ concentrated$area$serving$a$disproportionate$amount$of$African?American$ youth$and$families$in$the$North$End$of$Saint$Paul,$a$stone’s$throw$from$the$ State$Capitol.$$ MYA$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ impact$ study$ (Part$ I),$ focused$ on$ analyzing$ inputs$ and$outputs$of$historical$client$data,$and$marrying$it$to$US$Census$data$and$ research$ studies$ from$ the$ City$ of$ St.$ Paul$ and$ Minnesota$ Department$ of$ Employment$and$Economic$Development$(DEED).$$$Whereas,$MYA$Disrupting$ Poverty$(Part$II)$focuses$on$short,$media$and$long?term$measurement$of$MYA$ 2015$client$data,$married$with$updated$social$services$data$and$an$enhanced$ solution$based$on$interviews$with$stakeholders$after$Disrupting$Poverty$Part$ I$was$published.$ During$this$time$of$heightened$social,$human$and$criminal$justice$awareness$ and$ activism$ to$ right?size$ the$ disparities$ facing$ communities$ of$ color$ nationally,$ the$ data$ analysis$ in$ MYA$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ I$ was$ significant$ in$ raising$ awareness$ locally$ with$ policymakers$ and$ community$ leaders$ in$ Ramsey$ County,$ Minnesota.$ Star$ Tribune$ published$ a$ story$ of$ the$ poorest$ counties$in$Minnesota,$with$Ramsey$County$coming$in$5th$place.$$Minnesota’s$ accolades$and$awards$for$cost$of$living,$access$to$affordable$housing$quality$ of$ life$ and$ the$ disproportionate$ number$ of$ African?American$ and$ Hispanic$ youth$in$the$criminal$justice$system$seemed$egregious$when$viewed$from$the$ lens$ of$ the$ homeless$ and$ unemployed$ that$ walked$ through$ the$ doors$ of$ Mentoring$Young$Adults$on$a$daily$basis.$$I$questioned$the$ethics$and$social$ responsibility$ of$ a$ State$ high?fiving$ itself,$ when$ extreme$ poverty$ exists$ in$ Counties,$where$over$40%$of$the$population$of$color$lives$below$the$national$ 3

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 poverty$threshold.$$I$challenged$a$release$from$24/7$Wall$Street$citing$Minnesota$as$one$of$the$“5$best$ run$states$in$America”,$to$which$the$author$responded$“your$opinion”.$$I$took$to$social$media$with$his$ response$and$was$able$to$send$him$a$screenshot$showing$over$200$likes,$46$shares$and$43$comments$ that$were$received$in$a$short$amount$of$time.$$The$author$responded$by$printing$a$report$the$next$day$ showing$Minnesota’s$disparities.$$I$thanked$him$for$acknowledging$the$response$from$the$community.$ This$experience$revealed$the$reality$that$poverty$in$Minnesota$will$not$correct$itself$along$the$same$lines$ as$general$economic$indicators,$and$change$will$not$happen$if$the$community$leaves$poverty$unchecked.$ http://mn.gov/deed/business/locating?minnesota/why?minnesota/index.jsp

In$summary,$communities$must$take$ownership$of$the$change$that$needs$to$happen,$and$at$the$same$ time,$ community$ stakeholders$ must$ adopt$ a$ continuum$ of$ social$ services$ care$ network$ model$ that$ is$ based$ on$ the$ principle$ belief$ of$ decreasing$ poverty$ for$ the$ good$ of$ every$ citizen$ of$ the$ State$ of$ Minnesota.$$Disrupting$Poverty,$parts$I$and$II$provides$the$data$that$supports$the$Continuum$of$Social$ Services$Care$Network$solution$to$reducing$poverty.

Monique$Linder Graduate$Research$Assistant Center$for$Urban$and$Regional$Affairs University$of$Minnesota

!

4

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 DISRUPTING!POVERTY,!PART!ONE

Acknowledgements Thank$you$to$everyone$who$contributed$to$the$MYA$Disrupting$Poverty$Impact$Study.$$ A$special$thanks$to:$ Dora$Jones,$MYA’s$Founder$/$Executive$Director Ed$Goetz,$CURA$Director Jeff$Corn,$CURA$Community$Program$Coordinator Tony$Damiano,$CURA$Data$Mapping Thank$you$for$taking$the$time$to$be$interviewed$and$your$contribution$to$critical$information$needed$to$ complete$the$study.$$Mary$K.$Boyd,$Jerry$Timian$and$Arbadella$Williams$of$St.$Paul$Foundation,$Marcus$ Pope$of$Youthprise,$Richard$McLemore$of$Ujamaa$Place,$Lorraine$Hart,$MN$Women’s$Consortium,$Bob$ Brown,$Ray$Womack,$Dimitri$Conwell$and$Tonesha$Lewis.

5

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 DISRUPTING!POVERTY,!PART!I! Abstract !

This$study$focuses$on$MYA’s$impact$using$qualitatively$and$quantitatively$data$collected$over$a$five?year$ period,$proving$that$leaving$the$root$causes$of$extreme$poverty$and$inequality$unchecked$without$social$ services$ programs$ run$ by$ community$ leaders,$ threatens$ the$ heart$ and$ welfare$ of$ a$ community$ as$ a$ whole.$$ The$ research$ tells$ the$ story$ of$ how$ Minnesota’s$ key$ socio?economic$ indicators$ are$ completely$ different$when$viewed$from$a$poverty$and$racial$inequality$lens$by$county.$The$data$collected$includes$ interviews$ with$ key$ funders,$ partners,$ landlords,$MYA’s$ youth,$ MYA’s$ Founder/Executive$ Director,$ funders,$clients,$program$facilitators$and$MYA$Board$Chair.$$These$interviews$provided$broad$scope$and$ structure$to$the$study$told$through$a$lens$by$county$with$qualified$information$supporting$the$data$by$ MYA$and$its$key$stakeholders.

The$MYA$impact$study$analyzed$data$from$client$intake$applications$using$sophisticated$data$modeling$ tools$ that$ revealed$ significant$ results$ detailed$ in$ this$ study.$ $ This$ study$ looks$ at$ demand$ and$ capacity$ based$ on$ applying$ statistical$ analysis$ to$ the$ data,$ which$ revealed$ a$ 152%$ increase$ in$ 2014$ cases$ over$ 2013.$ $ MYA$ Director$ and$ Founder,$ Dora$ Jones$ stating,$ "when& a& homeless& youth& walks& through& MYA's& doors&for&help,&almost&always&there’s&a&homeless&family&story&attached".$$The$crisis$nature$of$these$cases$ requires$an$efficient$intake$process$that$digs$deep$into$the$families’$status$in$order$to$help$the$youth.$ Oftentimes,$ the$ case$ extends$ beyond$ homelessness$ and$ could$ include$ many$ scenarios,$ such$ as,$ an$ incarcerated$ parent,$ drug$ and/or$ alcohol$ abuse,$ mental$ illness,$ or$ sexual$ assault,$ requiring$ protection$ for$ the$ child.$$ Data$ analysis$ provides$ a$ comprehensive$ view$ of$ effectiveness$ rates$ of$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$in$disrupting$poverty,$one$youth$at$a$time,$with$mentoring$and$supporting$the$whole$family.$ The$ impact$ of$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ in$ Ramsey,$ Dakota,$ Washington$ and$ Hennepin$ Counties$ is$ measured$by$layering$American$Census$Survey$data$with$the$data$from$actual$MYA$cases.$$This$study$will$ give$ you$ detailed$ results$ of$ how$ MYA$ has$ successfully$ placed$ the$ most$ difficult$ homeless$ youth$ and$ families$as$an$extremely$under?funded$organization$for$the$past$nine$years.$

6

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 INTRODUCTION “The&Mentoring&Young&Adults&impact&study&began&on&the&1st&of&June,&2015&with&an&interview&with&MYA’s& Executive& Director,& Dora& Jones.& Armed& with& 9& years& of& information,& Dora& told& the& MYA& story& in& great& detail.&When&asked&to&see&the&data&to&support&this&information,&Dora&pointed&me&to&a&locked&storage&bin& with&lots&of&file&boxes.&“There&it&is,&every&piece&of&paper&from&the&last&nine&years,&as&I&do&not&throw&away& anything”,&Dora&explained.&With$the$help$of$a$student$worker,$five$years$of$data$was$organized,$entered$ into$ a$ database,$ checked$ and$ statistically$ modeled$ to$ add$ intelligence$ and$ measurement$ to$ the$ conclusions$in$the$study.”$$ ~Monique$Linder,$CURA$Graduate$Research$Assistant The$ MYA$ Impact$ Study$ title$ “Disrupting$ Poverty”$ evaluates$ the$ importance$ of$ community?based$ organizations$ in$ serving$ the$ “extreme$ poverty”$ areas$ in$ communities$ of$ color.$ $ Many$ of$ the$ clients$ observed$at$Mentoring$Young$Adults$(MYA),$suffer$from$post?trauma$illnesses$and$depression$standing$ in$ the$ way$ of$ their$ climb$ out$ of$ poverty.$ $ The$ study$ looks$ at$ systemic$ issues$ that$ are$ built$ into$ the$ economic$system$that$further$support$the$challenges$in$climbing$one’s$self$out$of$poverty.$$ MYA$provides$a$bridge$over$the$chasm$of$poverty,$enabling$those$served$through$stages$that$start$with$ crisis$management,$empowering$educational$programs,$employment$training$&$placement$and$second? chance$probation$monitoring$to$get$clients$stabilized$in$housing,$employment$and$facilitation$of$youth’s$ entry$back$into$society.

The$ study$ includes$ information$ provided$ through$ interviews$ with$ clients,$ community$ supporters,$ partnering$non?profits,$financial$partners,$government$agencies$and$policy$makers.$$The$study$evaluates$ five$years$of$data$from$intake$applications$that$focus$on$the$top$three$services$provided.$$Three$of$the$ client$impact$stories$are$highlighted$below.$

Client!Impact!Stories Housing,$employment$and$criminal$justice$second$chance$programs$are$core$crisis$management$services$ offered$at$MYA.$$Three$client$impact$stories$will$provide$insight$on$the$resources$MYA$provides$critical$ needs$services$to$youth$and$families$in$Ramsey,$Dakota,$Washington$and$Hennepin$counties.$ $ *MYA$respects$the$privacy$of$its$clients.$$Names/images$have$been$removed$to$protect$their$privacy.$$In$ two$cases,$the$client$and/or$staff$member$requested$the$use$of$their$true$identity. $

Housing!Impact!Story Tonesha$ is$ the$ Housing$ Coordinator$ at$ MYA.$Tonesha$ shares$ her$ personal$ story,$ as$ a$ mother$ who$ battled$ homelessness.$$ Today,$ as$ a$ staff$ member$ at$ MYA,$ Tonesha$ communicates$ the$ critical$ need$ to$ serve$ homeless$ youth$ and$ the$ importance$ of$ helping$ moms$ get$ back$ on$ track$ so$ they$ can$ provide$ for$ their$children. $ 7

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Youth$Mentoring$Impact$Story Dora$ Jones$ mentored$ Dimitri$ for$ four$ years,$ since$ he$ was$ in$ the$ 10th$ grade.$$ Dora$ mentored$ Dimitri$ through$ his$ graduation$ from$ high$ school$ and$ now$ during$ his$ pursuit$ of$ higher$ education.$ $Dimitri$ was$ accepted$ to$ Daniel$ Webster$ College$ in$ Nashua,$ New$ Hampshire,$ where$ he$ is$ currently$ achieving$ academic$success$and$playing$on$the$basketball$team.$$Dimitri’s$interview$reveals$the$struggle$growing$ up$an$African$American$young$adult$male$in$St.$Paul,$Minnesota. $$ “Never&give&up.&Struggles&are&a&way&of&life&for&many&of&us&youth&growing&up&in&St.&Paul.&I&wanted&to&give& up&many&times.&Never&give&up.&I&am&the&youngest&of&6&and&I&feel&that&they&look&up&to&me.&I&watched&my& older&brothers&and&sisters&take&the&wrong&path.”&RDimitri $ Dimitri$talked$about$the$top$three$things$that$have$impacted$his$life$to$date.

1.$Dora$Jones.

2.$Going$to$college.

3.$Being$a$role$model$for$young$adults$at$the$Ramsey$County$Juvenile$Detention$Center.

Dimitri’s$first$year$in$college$met$financial$challenges.$$Dimitri$had$a$balance$due$that$would$prevent$him$ from$continuing$in$the$fall.$$Again$Dimitri$turned$to$Dora$upon$arriving$home$for$the$summer$for$ assistance.$$MYA$was$successful$in$helping$Dimitri$raise$the$funding$needed$to$return$to$college$on$ schedule. $

Criminal$Justice$Program$Impact$Story Hear$the$story$of$an$MYA$client’s$reintegration$into$society$after$prison$and$the$crucial$role$MYA$played$ in$ his$ ability$ to$ find$ housing$ and$ employment.$$ He$ was$ driven$ by$ the$ need$ to$ provide$ for$ his$ young$ daughter$and$family$after$being$absent$for$a$long$period$of$time.$The$client’s$identity$is$not$shown$to$ protect$his$privacy.

“This&study&is&critical&in&the&war&on&poverty&to&increase&MYA’s&capacity&to&handle&the&increased& demand&for&crisis&management&for&youth&and&families&who&are&homeless,&jobless&and&have&youth& in&the&criminal&justice&system&in&high&and&extreme&poverty&areas&served&by&MYA.&MYA&is&located&a& stone’s&throw&away&from&the&State&Capitol&and&this&county&is&in&crisis&when&it&comes&to&serving& the&poor.&The&hope&is&that&this&study&raises&the&awareness&of&local&and&state&policy&makers&that& MYA&exists&in&a&poverty&war&zone&with&programs&in&place&to&positively&impact&the&communities& we& serve.& MYA& needs& funding& and& support& resources.& & The& poverty& crisis& can& no& longer& be& left& unchecked&and&expected&to&correct&itself.&&What&level&of&poverty&and&inequality&is&acceptable&in& Minnesota?& How& long& before& extreme& poverty& causes& disruption& to& the& whole& economy& in& the& State&of&Minnesota?&We&cannot&afford&to&wait&any&longer.” ~Dora$Jones,$Founder$/$Executive$Director$of$Mentoring$Young$Adults 8

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$MYA$impact$study$tells$the$story$of$a$Minnesota$that$does$not$have$an$extreme$poverty$issue$when$ viewed$on$a$national$poverty$map,$with$a$totally$different$view$from$a$lens$by$county,$overlaid$with$the$ race$population$within$those$counties.

About!Mentoring!Young!Adults!(MYA) MYA$is$a$nonprofit$501(c)3$organization$founded$in$2006,$in$St.$Paul$Minnesota,$a$stone’s$throw$away$ from$ the$ State$ Capital.$ MYA$ positively$ impacts$ the$ community$ with$ programs$ focused$ helping$ young$ adults$ in$ initial$ crisis$ situations,$ training,$ counseling$ and$ group$ support.$$ The$ cores$ programs$ are:$ 1)$ providing$ housing$ for$ homeless$ youths$ 2)$ financial$ assistance$ for$ low?income$ youth$ and$ families$ 3)$ youth’s$second$chance$re?entry$to$support$transition$back$into$society$from$Juvenile$Detention$Centers$ or$Prison,$depending$on$the$age$and$circumstances$of$their$case. $ MYA$is$a$community?based$organization$providing$crisis?management$for$vulnerable$youths,$seeking$to$ close$ the$ extreme$ inequalities$ in$ communities$ of$ color$ on$ the$ front$ lines$ fighting$ homelessness,$ high? school$ drop$ rates,$ unemployment$ and$ the$ disproportionate$ number$ of$ young$ adults$ caught$ up$ in$ the$ criminal$justice$system$due$to$the$lack$of$education$and$competitive$skills$essential$to$sustain$a$positive,$ healthy$and$productive$lifestyle. $ MYA$brings$substantial$value$to$the$community$based$on$delivering$a$unique$model$that$incorporates$ trust,$love,$education$and$Dora$Jones.$$Dora$Jones,$Executive$Director$and$founder$of$MYA,$has$walked$ in$her$clients’$shoes.$$It$is$her$story$and$her$tireless$work$on$behalf$of$each$and$every$client$that$walks$ through$ the$ door$ that$ inspires$ an$ immediate$ positive$ response$ from$ debilitating$ depression$ and$ hopelessness$ to$ empowerment$ and$ confidence$ that$ MYA$ is$ about$ to$ change$ their$ life,$ right$ then$ and$ there.$$$I$had$the$honor$of$talking$to$Dora’s$mentor$and$lifetime$coach,$Mary$K.$Boyd,$who$tells$the$story$ of$ a$ troubled$ youth,$ sent$ to$ her$ alternative$ school$ because$ she$ was$ thrown$ out$ of$ the$ St.$ Paul$ Public$ School$ system.$ Through$ an$ integrated$ mix$ of$ education,$ love,$ support,$ hard$ work,$ development$ and$ continued$mentoring,$Mary$K.$was$able$to$get$to$the$root$of$the$issues$of$this$young$lady$and$assist$her$ with$turning$her$life$around.$$That$young$lady$is$Dora$Jones.$

MYA’s!Purpose Mentoring$Young$Adults,$also$known$as$MYA,$seeks$to$disrupt$poverty$in$the$communities$it$serves$by$ addressing$ the$ extreme$ economic$ challenges$ youth$ face$ in$ diverse$ communities$ of$ color$ in$ Ramsey,$ Dakota,$Washington$and$Hennepin$Counties,$that$threaten$the$health$and$welfare$of$these$communities$ at$large.$$ 9

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$ impact$ of$ MYA$ in$ disrupting$ poverty$ is$ a$ result$ of$ its$ unique$ social$ services$ programs$ that$ were$ developed$by$its$founder,$Dora$Jones.$$Over$the$years,$from$digging$deep$at$the$root$of$the$issues$in$the$ family$ causing$ youth$ homelessness,$ joblessness,$ low$ wages$ and$ youth$ involved$ in$ the$ Criminal$ Justice$ system,$ Dora$ injected$ programs$ based$ on$ the$ need$ to$ help$ MYA$ clients$ in$ crisis$ and$ supporting$ their$ climb$out$of$poverty.$! !

MYA!Youth!/!Family!Programs MYA$layers$in$educational$programs,$such$as,$gender?specific$group$mentoring,$tenant$training$and$one? one$ mentoring$ to$ address$ the$ lack$ of$ competitive$ skills$ essential$ to$ sustain$ a$ positive,$ healthy$ and$ productive$lifestyle,$beyond$the$crisis$at$hand.$ Mentoring$Young$Adults’$Men’s$Group$meets$weekly$to$share,$learn$and$grow$together.$The$group$ serves$as$a$support$system$in$dealing$with$issues$that$affect$the$health$of$the$whole$family.

The$programs$offered$at$MYA$that$require$mandatory$attendance$to$receive$support$are$noted$with$an$ (*)$asterisk. ●" Affordable$Housing$Program$(provides$housing$placement$and$tenant$training$classes)$$$$$ ●" Crisis$ Management$ Resources$ (provides$ a$ safe$ environment$ to$ access$ a$ referral$ network$ for$ supporting$the$needs$of$traumatized$youth)$$ ●" Education$Guidance$Counseling$(HS$Drop?out,$GED$counseling,$job$training)$$ ●" Youth$Second$Chance$Re?entry$Program$(counseling,$monitoring,$job$training$for$youth$involved$ in$the$criminal$justice$system)$ ●" Youth$“Paid”$Internship$Program$(year$round$before$/$after$school$paid$internships$and$summer$ full/half?day$paid$internships)$$ ●" Shadow$ Me$ Mentoring$ Program$ (Summer$ program$ shadowing$ community$ leaders,$ law$ enforcement,$policy$makers$and$educators)$ ●" *Group$Support$Mentoring$Classes$(Women’s$Group,$Men’s$Group)$ ●" *One$–$One$Mentoring$Sessions$with$Youth$and$Families$ ●" *Tenant$Training$Classes$ ●" Tenant$–$Landlord$Summit$(Bi?Yearly)$$ $ MYA’s$affordable$housing$impact$is$illustrated$in$this$interview$with$Arbadella$Williams$after$she$ attended$the$bi?annual$Tenant?Landlord$Summit.$(Audio)

! !

10

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 MYA’s!Intake!Process MYA$is$the$only$community?based,$non?profit$social$services$agency$in$Saint$Paul,$MN$that$takes$walk? ins$daily$from$10am$–$4pm.$$By$the$time$clients$are$referred$by$other$agencies$to$MYA,$they$are$at$their$ lowest$point$–$hopeless,$depressed$and$sometimes$suicidal.$Executive$Director$Dora$Jones$is$there$every$ day$to$greet$clients$and$to$get$them$processed$quickly$to$get$them$the$help$they$need.$$As$Dora$explains$ “there’s&no&long,&drawn&out&bureaucratic&process&at&MYA&.&.&.it&is&hard&work&and&lots&of&prayer&that&wills& the&MYA&team&to&fight&for&those&who&are&at&their&lowest&level&in&society.”

For$example,$all$calls$and$walk?ins$are$logged.$$All$intakes$are$completed$in$the$office.$$Applications$are$ given$to$those$in$need$of$housing$and$financial$assistance.$MYA’s$thorough$intake$process$was$updated$ recently$ to$ include$ a$ short$ screening$ questionnaire$ (new),$ an$ application$ process$ that$ includes$ State$ compliance$for$housing$applicants,$a$race$&$ethnicity$and$privacy$disclosure.$$MYA’s$goal$is$to$position$ itself$to$be$a$leader$in$the$community$prepared$to$handle$the$most$challenging$youth$and$family$crisis$ that$arise$in$Ramsey,$Washington,$Dakota$and$Hennepin$(youth$employment$only)$based$on$its$ability$to$ generate$funding$to$increase$capacity.$$$In$2014,$MYA’s$case$management$averaged$36$cases$per$month.$ MYA$ has$ a$ manual$ sign?in$ process$ that$ tracks$ all$ walk?ins.$ This$ does$ not$ include$ sign?up$ sheets$ for$ education$program$attendees.$$

MYA!Data!Analysis The$study$contains$an$analysis$of$client$case$records$from$2010$–$2014.$The$data$released$in$this$study$ does$not$contain$any$individual$confidential$client$records.$$The$data$is$based$on$a$summary$of$all$data$ entered$ for$ the$ criteria$ indicated.$ Until$ recently,$ MYA$ had$ no$ case$ management$ system.$ $ All$ records$ were$ processed$ manually.$ $ Since$ July,$ MYA$ has$ successfully$ signed$ agreements$ with$ the$ Sprockets$ 11

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 network$ for$ tracking$ youth$ programming$ and$ with$ Ramsey$ County$ HMIS$ (Homeless$ Management$ Information$ System)$ for$ entering$ housing$ application$ data$ in$ their$ secure$ data$ system$ for$ tracking$ homeless$ youth$ and$ families$ (in$ Ramsey$ County$ only).$ All$ other$ records$ are$ processed$ manually$ and$ entered$into$spreadsheets$for$data$analysis.

A!summary!analysis!of!the!data!(2010A2014)!revealed: ●" MYA$predominantly$serves$Ramsey$County,$in$St.$Paul,$MN.$$4%$of$MYA's$youth$population$from$ Minneapolis$utilizes$employment$and$mentoring$programs.& ●" The$ "hot$ zip$ codes"$ represent$ the$ zip$ codes$ entered$ by$ total$ number$ of$ applicants$ (in$ a$ given$ year)$ identifying$ the$ top$ three$ zip$ codes$ as$ "hot$ zip$ codes".$ $ Ramsey$ County$ concentrated$ poverty$zone$study$supports$the$MYA$data$in$identifying$extreme$poverty$zones.$$& ●" Since$ 2010,$ MYA$ has$ served$ youth$ and$ families.$ $ It$ is$ important$ to$ note$ that$ MYA$ is$ a$ youth? based$organization$that$believes$in$solving$the$crisis$by$bringing$the$whole$family$together.& ●" 5$years$of$data$shows$an$average$of$69%$of$MYA$clients$are$female.& ●" In$ 2012,$ a$ sharp$ increase$ in$ high$ school$ dropouts$ occurred,$ with$ an$ increase$ in$ homelessness$ shown$in$the$data$for$the$same$year.$& ●" MYA$ serves$ a$ predominantly$ African?American$ population,$ although$ starting$ in$ 2011,$ its$ population$diversified$to$include$White,$Native$American,$Asian$and$Hispanic$applicants.$& ●" MYA$ receives$ referrals$ from$ many$ different$ social$ services$ agencies$ when$ applicants$ are$ extremely$ difficult$ to$ successfully$ process$ due$ to$ factors$ that$ may$ include,$ unlawful$ detainers,$ criminal$records,$mental$illness$and$health$problems.$$& ●" The$average$MYA$client$served$has$at$least$one$child$in$the$family.$$& ●" Since$ 2011,$ unemployment$ has$ consistently$ remained$ high$ in$ the$ population$ data$ that$ MYA$ serves.$ $ Those$ employed$ and$ do$ not$ earn$ living$ wages,$ have$ been$ identified$ as$ "extremely$ impoverished,"$meaning$they$live$40%$below$the$national$poverty$threshold.& ●" 5$ years$ of$ data$ shows$ that$ MYA's$ applicants$ requested$ services$ consistent$ with$ their$ intake$ interview$showing$those$with$low$education$and$income$lacked$access$to$housing,$employment$ and$education.& ●" Felonies$show$a$drop$in$2014$to$18%.$$The$MYA$2014$Executive$Director’s$reports$shows$1,680$ community$service$hours$logged$by$youth$involved$in$the$criminal$justice$system.& ●" An$average$of$24%$of$applicants$stated$they$had$a$disability.& ●" YOY$ applicants$ increased$ to$ 152%$ from$ 2013$ ?$ 2014$ applicants.$ $ With$ the$ increase,$ 135$ applicants$were$homeless,$increasing$19$points$from$2011$to$2012.& ●" MYA's$data$shows$that$each$intake$requires$4?5$visits$and$10$hours$of$counseling$and$mentoring$ to$fully$serve$their$needs$for$housing$and$financial$assistance.$& See$Addendum$Exhibit$C:$MYA$Case$Management$Data$Summary$Chart 12

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Year?over?year$applications$increased$to$152%$from$2013$?$2014.$$The$2014$MYA$Executive$Director's$ report$of$Ramsey$County$Youth$Place$Summary$shows$success$in$94$cases$of$the$437$intakes.$(View$ report)

The!State!of!Youth!Homelessness!in!MN!Counties MYA’s$Director,$Dora$Jones$works$tirelessly$and$unapologetically$in$her$fight$to$provide$housing$and$jobs$ for$ the$ most$ vulnerable$ population$ of$ youth$ in$ Ramsey,$ Dakota,$ Washington$ and$ Hennepin$ County$ (youth$ job$ placement$ only).$ $ This$ quote$ from$ abolitionist$ Harriet$ Tubman$ describes$ the$ challenge$ and$ the$impact$of$the$mission$at$work$at$MYA. “Most&of&those&coming&from&the&mainland&are&very&destitute,&almost&naked.&I&am& trying&to&find&places&for&those&able&to&work,&and&provide&for&them&as&best&I&can,&so&as& to&lighten&the&burden&on&the&Government&as&much&as&possible,&while&at&the&same&time& they&learn&to&respect&themselves&by&earning&their&own&living.”$$~Harriet$Tubman$ (1822$–$1913) Dora$is$often$described$as$the$Harriet$Tubman$of$today.$$MYA$fosters$a$commitment$ of$self?respect$and$independence$from$social$services$reliance$through$education$ and$training$programs$in$support$group$sessions$and$one?one$mentoring.

Even$though$the$impact$of$MYA$in$housing$the$homeless$is$high,$the$State$of$Affordable$housing$is$ dismal$in$Minnesota.$$According$to$Dr.$Ed$Goetz,$Director$of$the$Center$for$Urban$and$Regional$Affairs$$ Even$though$the$impact$of$MYA$in$housing$the$homeless$is$high,$the$State$of$Affordable$housing$is$ dismal$in$Minnesota.$$According$to$Dr.$Ed$Goetz,$Director$of$the$Center$for$Urban$and$Regional$Affairs$ "I'm afraid that I feel that we have not made much progress in meeting affordable housing needs. They seem pretty intractable, whether due to the disincentives for the private sector to build more affordable units, the opposition of communities to more housing opportunities, continued discrimination, lagging wages for lower- and working-class people, etc. (It's kind of depressing really!). The challenges are as great now as they have ever been." ~Edward G. Goetz, Director, UofM Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA)

$ In$an$interview$with$Arbadella$Williams,$Program$Assistant$with$the$Community$Sharing$Fund$at$St.$Paul$ Foundation,$ where$ she$ discussed$ MYA’s$ impact$ in$ the$ community$ by$ saying$ “we& get& a& number& of& applications&from&MYA&where&they&provide&grants&for&individuations&in&a&crisis&situation,&to&prevent&them& 13

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 from&becoming&homeless.&Clients&get&the&help&needed&to&get&housing&if&they&homeless&or&who&are&on&the& verge&of&becoming&homeless.”&(Audio) MYA$ is$ waging$ a$ war$ on$ poverty$ by$ creating$ a$ network$ of$ resources$ for$ youth$ and$ families.$ $ $ One$ of$ MYA’s$strategies$is$developing$and$nurturing$relationships$with$local$independent$property$owners$that$ are$willing$to$give$her$clients$a$second$chance.$$In$return,$MYA$provides$tenant$training$and$support$to$ these$ landlords$ that$ educate$ families$ on$ how$ to$ maintain$ a$ strong$ relationship$ with$ these$ affordable$ housing$partners.$$For$example,$Dora$intervenes$when$landlords$present$a$problem$with$a$MYA$tenant$ to$avoid$worst?case$scenarios$like$“evictions”$and$processing$“unlawful$detainers”$that$would$serve$to$ perpetuate$homelessness.$ Dora$ created$ a$ powerful$ meeting$ between$ tenants$ and$ landlords$ called$ the$ Tenant?Landlord$ Summit,$ which$is$now$held$twice$a$year.$$The$summit$brings$landlords$and$tenants$together$in$a$group$setting$for$ putting$ any$ issues$ on$ the$ table$ that$ have$ arisen$ from$ both$ sides.$ $ In$ an$ interview$ with$ St.$ Paul$ Foundation’s$ Arbadella$ Williams$ after$ she$ attended$ her$ second$ Tenant?Landlord$ Summit$ in$ July,$ Arbadella$shared$the$impact$of$putting$housing$service$providers$together$with$the$tenants$together$to$ brainstorm$issues.$(Audio)$ MYA$believes$that$fighting$youth$homelessness$involves$bringing$the$family$together$to$get$to$the$root$ of$ the$ issue$ causing$ homelessness$ and$ to$ promote$ housing$ sustainability.$ $ The$ below$ snapshot$ of$ the$ Wilder$Research$on$the$state$of$Minnesota’s$homeless$youth$in$its$2013$study$shows:$ Children& who& are& homeless& with& their& parents& make& up& about& oneRthird& of& all& the& homeless& people& in& Minnesota.&Half&of&these&children&are&under&age&6.&Homeless&children&are&typically&with&their&mother&only,& but&the&percentage&of&twoRparent&homeless&families&grew&by&22&percent&from&2009&to&2012.&Compared&to& children& in& traditional& shelters& (emergency& shelters& and& transitional& housing),& children& with& parents& staying&in&informal&–&and&frequently&changing&–&arrangements&are&more&likely&to&have&difficulty&with&peer& relationships&and&school.& The$study$documented$3,546$children$who$were$homeless$with$their$parents$on$October$25,$2012,$a$9$ percent$ increase$ from$ 2009.$ This$ increase$ was$ almost$ entirely$ in$ the$ number$ of$ children$ in$ shelter$ programs,$ particularly$ emergency$ shelters$ and$ battered$ women’s$ shelters.$ The$ number$ in$ transitional$ housing$and$the$number$staying$outside$the$shelter$system$were$essentially$unchanged$from$2009.$

Factors!associated!with!homelessness!

In$ addition$ to$ the$ adverse$ experiences$ described$ above$ –$ childhood$ abuse$ and$ neglect,$ out?of?$ home$ 14

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 placements$ including$ incarceration,$ community$ and$ domestic$ violence,$ or$ traumas$ incurred$ during$ military$ service$ –$ other$ common$ factors$ that$ contribute$ to$ homelessness$ for$ some$ people$ include$ economic$instability,$relationship$breakdowns,$and$problems$with$mental$health$or$substance$abuse.$

Barriers!to!regaining!stable!housing!

Once$someone$has$lost$their$regular$housing,$they$often$face$a$different$set$of$barriers$in$their$efforts$to$ regain$stable$housing.$Affordability$continues$to$be$the$single$greatest$problem.$This$includes$both$sides$ of$the$affordability$equation$–$the$cost$of$housing$and$the$ability$to$pay.$ Secondary$barriers$tend$to$cluster$around$considerations$that$landlords$use$to$screen$for$the$desirability$ of$a$new$tenant,$including$poor$credit$and$rental$histories$and/or$criminal$history.$

Homeless!Children!and!Youth!

This$ section$ provides$ a$ concise$ analysis$ of$ young$ people$ in$ the$ homeless$ population.$ This$ group$ as$ a$ whole$makes$up$almost$one?half$(46%)$of$the$homeless$population$counted$on$the$night$of$the$survey$ and$ includes$ minors$ and$ young$ adults$ on$ their$ own$ (11%$ of$ those$ counted)$ and$ children$ with$ their$ homeless$parents$(35%$of$those$counted).$ The$Wilder$Research$statewide$homelessness$study$defines$three$segments$of$homeless$population$age$ 21$ and$ younger.$ $ Minors$ age$ 17$ and$ under$ who$ are$ homeless$ and$ on$ their$ own,$ young$ adults$ age$ 18$ through$21$who$are$homeless$and$on$their$own$and$children$age$17$and$under,$who$are$homeless$with$ their$parents.$ ●" Children$and$youth$make$up$almost$one?half$of$the$total$homeless$population.$Unaccompanied$ youth$(those$on$their$own,$up$to$and$including$age$21)$have$unique$characteristics$and$needs$ that$are$different$from$those$of$the$homeless$adult$population.$Homeless$families$also$have$ distinctly$different$experiences$and$barriers$and$require$assistance$that$takes$their$children’s$ needs$into$account.$$ ●" Unstable$housing$often$begins$in$childhood.$Twenty?five$percent$of$homeless$adults,$report$that$ their$first$experience$of$homelessness,$either$with$their$parents$or$on$their$own,$was$as$a$child$ (age$17$or$younger).$Another$7$percent$became$homeless$for$the$first$time$at$age$18.$$ ●" Women$were$more$likely$than$men$to$have$been$homeless$as$a$child.$$ ●" One?quarter$of$homeless$adults$first$experienced$homelessness$as$a$child.$$ ●" 30%$of$homeless$women$had$their$first$experience$of$homelessness$as$a$child,$vs.$21%$of$ homeless$men$$

15

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Source:$Wilder$Research$“Homelessness$in$Minnesota”$–$2012$Statewide$Homeless$Study,$September$ 2013$ Besides$the$children$who$are$homeless$with$their$parents,$at$least$another$2,000$are$affected$by$a$ parent’s$homelessness$but$are$not$with$that$parent.$$ ●" One?half$(51%)$of$homeless$children$with$their$parents$are$age$5$or$younger.$More$than$one? third$(36%)$are$between$6$and$12$years$old,$and$13$percent$are$between$13$and$17$years$old.$$$ ●" Nearly$three?quarters$(72%)$of$children$are$in$the$care$of$their$mother$or$a$single$female$ caregiver.$Four$percent$are$in$the$care$of$a$father$or$male$caregiver.$$ ●" One?quarter$(24%)$is$in$the$care$of$two$parents$or$caregivers.$ In$ an$ interview$ with$ MYA’s$ housing$ coordinator,$ Tonesha$ Lewis$ tells$ her$ personal$ story$ battling$ homelessness$ from$ a$ mother’s$ perspective$ and$ what$ MYA$ does$ to$ help$ its$ clients$ find$ affordable$ housing.$ $ Tonesha$ communicates$ the$ urgent$ need$ to$ support$ the$ war$ on$ youth$ homeless$ by$ helping$ moms$get$the$critical$services$to$get$back$on$track$so$that$they$can$provide$for$their$children.$(Video) MYA’s$community$partnerships$in$the$war$on$homelessness$include$funders$and$independent$landlords.$$ Here’s$ what$ Arbadella$ Williams$ had$ to$ say$ about$ MYA$ impact$ in$ providing$ housing$ assistance$ in$ the$ community.$$$(Audio) The$chart$below$shows$“under$18”$with$parents$and$adults$represent$82%$of$the$homeless$population$in$ Minnesota.

Source:$Heading$Home$Minnesota,$Wilder$Research$Study$2012 16

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The!State!of!MYA!Youth!and!the!Criminal!Justice!System According$ to$ a$ recent$ Youth$ Criminal$ Justice$ Survey,$ youth$ of$ color$ present$ 66%$ of$ the$ total$ juvenile$ incarcerated$ population$ in$ Minnesota.$ $ The$ Youth$ Criminal$ Justice$ Survey$ (ACE)$ results$ show$ a$ “large$ population$of$youth$in$the$criminal$justice$system$have$been$exposed$to$Adverse$Childhood$Experiences$ (ACE)”$as$a$cause$of$their$behavior$that$led$to$their$entry$into$the$criminal$justice$system.$ In$an$interview$with$Richard$McLemore$,$Housing$and$Employment$Manager$at$Ujamaa$Place,$Richard$ refers$to$JDC$as$the$preparatory$course$for$prison$for$young$African?American$men.$$ This$interview$with$Richard$will$take$you$to$the$streets$of$St.$Paul,$MN$where$it$is$easy$for$young$African?

American$males$to$get$caught$in$the$Criminal$Justice$System$for$petty$offenses.$$ It$is$normal$for$a$youth$to$see$a$heavy$police$presence$in$the$St.$Paul$community$around$University$and$ Lexington$Avenue.$Richard$described$“jumper$street$boys”,$as$an$example$of$heavy$police$presence$in$ low$income$neighborhoods,$where$a$SUV$of$plain$clothes$law$enforcement$will$jump$out$of$the$vehicle$ and$ remove$ the$ youth$ from$ a$ corner$ and$ throw$ them$ in$ the$ vehicle$ and$ speed$ off.$ Armored$ buses$ loaded$ with$ “Prisoners”$ going$ to$ the$ many$ prisons$ in$ the$ State$ are$ normal.$ policing$ matters,$ this$ observation$ provided$ insight$ into$ the$ reality$ for$ youth$ in$ the$ criminal$ justice$ system,$ in$ St.$ Paul,$ MN.$$ Richard$ talked$ candidly$ about$ the$ mental$ conditioning$ that$ goes$ on$ in$ the$ criminal$ justice$ system$ referring$ to$ prison$ as$ “mental$ hell”.$ Once$ you$ figure$ that$ out$ and$ are$ dropped$ into$ society$ with$ a$ pamphlet$and$a$meeting$with$the$person$supervising$you,$you$are$institutionalized.$ Richard$continued$to$describe$juvenile$detention$as$pre?incarceration.$$He$spends$time$interacting$with$ youth$ in$ St.$ Paul$ to$ facilitate$ and$ support$ their$ transition$ back$ into$ society.$$$ Richard$ expresses$ his$ sadness$at$the$high$number$of$African?American$youth$who$return$to$JDC$due$to$technicalities.$In$2014,$ there$ were$ 200$ cases$ due$ to$ convictions$ of$ criminal$ activity$ and$ over$ 2,000$ return$ to$ JDC$ due$ to$ technical$violations.$$$

MYA’s!Impact!on!Young!in!the!Criminal!Justice!System$ Ujamaa$Place$partners$with$community$organizations$like$MYA$to$be$a$resource$for$providing$assistance$ for$youth$re?entering$society$and$a$goal$of$disrupting$the$entry$process.$$ Richard$ describes$ the$ impact$ of$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ as$ a$ support$ agency$ that$ digs$ deep$ into$ the$ issues$ causing$ youth$ to$ come$ to$ JDC.$ When$ you$ come$ from$ an$ impoverished$ community$ and$ you$ are$ looking$for$something$productive$to$do$with$yourself$and$there$is$no$place.$Dora’s$agency$fills$that$gap.$ It$is$there$to$offer$support$to$these$young$men$by$keeping$them$off$the$street$and$out$of$trouble.

“Dora is the only one that I have seen that can hold these young men that are gripped, enticed, enthralled and fooled by the streets. She is the only one that I’ve seen who can touch them. They actually listen to Dora.” ~Richard McLemore, Ujamaa Place 17

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 A$prominent$African?American$medical$doctor$who$recently$relocated$to$the$Twin$Cities$was$a$victim$of$ a$ random$ stop$ by$ a$ local$ police$ officer$ for$ no$ reason$ and$ issued$ the$ following$ statement.$ $ Dr.$ Sholas’$ statement$is$a$reminder$that$no$one$should$accept$inequality$as$a$normal$way$of$life.

“It is demoralizing, humiliating, dehumanizing and destabilizing to constantly be reminded that my education, my income, my exposure, my upbringing, nor my travel can save me from the ugly side of what racists insist I must be.” ~ Dr. Maurice Sholas MYA’s$ impact$ is$ shown$ by$ the$ willingness$ of$ the$ independent$ landlords$ to$ house$ applicants$ with$ a$ criminal$record.$$MYA$does$not$accept$applicants$that$have$a$sex?related$crime$on$their$record$since$it$ serves$a$youth$and$family$population.

MYA’s$data$shows: ●" Felonies$decreased$in$2014$to$18%.$$& ●" The$MYA$2014$Executive$Director’s$reports$shows$1,680$community$service$hours$logged$by$ youth$involved$in$the$criminal$justice$system& MYA$ in$ partnership$ with$ St.$ Paul$ law$ enforcement$ proactively$ works$ with$ youth$ to$ get$ them$ off$ the$ street$ and$ into$ programs$ that$ prevent$ them$ from$ making$ poor$ decisions$ that$ derail$ their$ growth$ and$ keeps$ youth$ in$ the$ revolving$ doors$ of$ juvenile$ detention$ centers.$ $ The$ best$ way$ to$ keep$ the$ youth$ on$ track$is$employment.$ The$next$section$of$the$impact$study$further$tells$the$story$of$a$Minnesota$that$does$not$have$a$poverty$ issue$when$viewed$on$a$national$poverty$map.$$The$view$is$totally$different$when$poverty$is$viewed$from$ a$lens$by$county,$then$overlaid$with$the$population$represented$as$“communities$of$color”,$paints$a$true$ picture$ of$ the$ reality$ for$ population$ of$ homeless,$ jobless$ and$ youth$ caught$ up$ in$ the$ criminal$ justice$ system$that$is$served$by$MYA.!

This$ study$ shows$ the$ major$ role$ that$ community?based$ organizations$ play$ in$ disrupting$ poverty.$ $ The$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ impact$ study$ provides$ a$ model$ for$ communities$ to$ create$ a$ network$ focused$ on$ dismantling$poverty$from$the$core$starting$with$mentoring$youth$and$families.

Breaking!Down!Extreme!Poverty Poverty$is$a$national$and$global$crisis.$$The$chart$below$shows$National$Poverty$Rates$by$County$2013

18

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

Historically,$poverty$has$risen$steadily$in$the$US$since$1998.$$See$the$below$chart$showing$16$years$of$ poverty$percentage$data.$

Poverty!and!Inequality!in!Minnesota According$to$the$2013$county?level$poverty$data$from$the$US$Census$American$Community$Survey$ showed$the$following$poverty$rates,$benchmarked$against$the$national$poverty$rate$of$15.8%: ●" Ramsey$County$had$a$poverty$rate$of$16.9,$1.1%$higher$than$the$national$average.$$ ●" Hennepin$County$had$a$poverty$rate$of$12.8%,$3%$below$the$national$average.$ ●" Dakota$County$had$a$poverty$rate$of$7.6%,$8.2%$below$the$national$average.$ ●" Washington$County$had$a$poverty$rate$of$5.7%,$10.1%$below$the$national$average.$ MYA$serves$the$four$counties$above,$showing$poverty$rates$for$each.$$The$study$took$on$life$by$ attempting$to$challenge$the$MYA$data$by$examining$other$studies.$$ 19

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 On$January$15,$2015,$The$Star$Tribune$published$the$list$of$top$10$highest$poverty$rates$by$county$from$ the$American$Community$Survey,$2013,$5?year$estimates.$ Rank County Poverty$rate 1 Mahnomen$County 26.2% 2 Beltrami$County 21.9% 3 Blue$Earth$County 19.2% 4 Wadena$County 16.9% 5 Ramsey$County 16.9% 6 Clearwater$County 16.5% 7 Cass$County 16.4% 8 St.$Louis$County 16.4% 9 Mower$County 16.3% 10 Nobles$County 16.0% Source:!http://www.startribune.com/povertyAbyAcountyAinAminnesotaA2013/289964281/ The$report$delves$deeply$into$the$ geography$

of$

concentrated$

poverty.$ The$ Midwest$ (or$ North$ Central$ region),$ hard$ hit$ by$ deindustrialization$

and$

the$

economic$ crisis,$ has$ seen$ by$ far$ the$

largest$

increases$

in$

concentrated$poverty.$$The$study$ found$ that$ concentrated$ poverty$ more$ than$ doubled$ in$ the$ North$ Central$ region$ for$ areas$ with$ 500,000$ to$ 1$ million$ residents,$ showing$ an$ average$ increase$ of$ 9.1%,$with$the$largest$increase$in$ Black$ and$ Hispanic$ populations,$ since$ 2000.$ The$ Century$ Foundation$ in$ 2013$ study,$ “Concentration$ of$ Poverty$ in$ the$ New$ Millennium,$ showed$one?fourth$of$the$U.S.$population$(over$71$million$persons)$live$in$neighborhoods$with$poverty$ rates$of$20$percent$or$more,$ten$percent$(30$million$persons)$with$30$percent$or$more$and$four$percent$ (11$million$persons),$with$40$percent$or$more.$

20

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Population!and!Poor!Population!by!Poverty!Threshold!Level,!1990–2011 CHANGE!SINCE! 2000

POPULATION Persons

%

Poor

%

Persons

Poor

1990

49,235,624

20.3

15,703,328

49.5

2000

49,488,516

18.1

15,046,608

44.4

2005?2009

62,612,180

21.3

19,129,454

48.4

27%

18%

2006?2010

66,954,054

22.6

20,528,429

50.2

35%

25%

2007?2011

71,755,114

24.0

22,084,705

51.7

45%

33%

1990

22,060,599

9.1

9,093,430

28.6

2000

19,863,809

7.3

7,834,252

23.1

2005?2009

24,982,018

8.5

10,004,654

25.3

26%

17%

2006?2010

27,255,305

9.2

10,861,521

26.5

37%

27%

2007?2011

29,888,363

10.0

11,880,122

27.8

50%

38%

1990

9,592,333

4.0

4,802,686

15.1

2000

7,198,892

2.6

3,487,015

10.3

2005?2009

9,506,534

3.2

4,687,383

11.9

32%

23%

2006?2010

10,309,844

3.5

5,049,956

12.3

43%

32%

2007?2011

11,224,438

3.8

5,484,665

12.8

56%

43%

20%!POVERTY!THRESHOLD

30%!POVERTY!THRESHOLD

40%!POVERTY!THRESHOLD

Source:&U.S.$Census$Bureau,$1990$Census$and$2000$Census,$Summary$File$3;$2009,$2010,$and$2011$ American$Community$Survey,$5?Year$Estimates.$

21

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

“Ramsey$County’s$Understanding$Areas$of$Concentrated$Poverty”$aligned$with$MYA's$data,$especially$its$ focus$on$concentrated$“extreme”$poverty$are$in$sync$with$MYA's$hot$zip$codes$for$clients$served.$$The$ study$defines$extreme$poverty$areas$as$the$census$tract$with$+40%$residents$below$federal$poverty$line.$ $I:$Ramsey$County’s$Understanding$Areas$of$Concentrated$Poverty$Study$Chart See$the$chart$to$the$right$where$Ramsey$County$uses$ a$ “resiliency$ star$ concept”$ to$ illustrate$ the$ notable$ connections$ in$ its$ “extreme$ poverty”$ concentrated$ areas,$ which$ are$ identical$ to$ MYA’s$ services$ offered$ and$ need$ to$ increase$ capacity$ and$ investment$ to$ disrupting$extreme$poverty.

22

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$data$summarized$in$the$below$chart$Ramsey$County’s$total$population$of$color$equals$31%$ (140,623)$of$the$total$population$of$532,655.$Ramsey$County$has$a$16.9%$poverty$rate,$which$is$85,757$ living$in$extreme$poverty$areas.$$The$extreme$poverty$concentrated$counties$also$represent$the$highest$ ethnic$population$in$communities$in$the$State$of$Minnesota.

Exhibit$J:$Race$Chart$by$County$US$Census$2014$Population$Estimate$

Exhibit$K:$Ramsey$County$Ramsey$County’s$Understanding$Areas$of$Concentrated$Poverty$Study $ The$Ramsey$County,$The$Century$Foundation$studies$and$US$Census$data$are$in$alignment$with$MYA’s$ data$ in$ identifying$ the$ concentrated$ areas$ of$ poverty,$ poverty$ estimates,$ services$ requested$ and$ the$ racial$demography$of$the$clients$served.$

23

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 MINNESOTA’S!CHANGING!DEMOGRAPHICS Exhibit$L:$Policy$Links’$Minnesota’s$Tomorrow$$

The$2013$US$Census$American$Consumer$Survey$breaks$down$race$for$the$counties$that$MYA$serves$and$ Minnesota.$The$percentages$consider$multi?race$selections,$accounting$for$the$total$percentages$that$ exceed$100%.$An$in?depth$analysis$of$the$U.S.$Census$data$was$used$to$view$the$reality$of$poverty$and$ inequality$in$the$communities$that$MYA$serves.$When$you$break$out$the$counties$served$by$MYA,$you$ see$where$extreme$poverty$and$inequality$lives,$mixed$in$with$extreme$wealth,$causing$ misrepresentation$of$the$data$as$a$whole,$blurring$the$view$of$poverty$in$Minnesota.$ Exhibit$M:$Percent$People$of$Color$Map$1980$?2040

24

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$chart$below$illustrates$the$racial$breakdown$by$county,$compared$to$the$total$population$of$ Minnesota.$$$

Exhibit$N:$Racial$Breakdown$By$County$(US$Census$Data$2013$American$Consumer$Survey$?$%$does$not$ total$100%$due$to$other$overlap) The$next$series$of$poverty$maps$show$a$heat$mapping$of$poverty$zones$by$race,$followed$by$poverty$ maps$showing$the$total$population$of$Minnesota,$by$counties$served$by$MYA.$$The$maps$are$layered$ with$an$outline$representing$communities$of$color.$$These$maps$prove$that$communities$of$color$are$ located$in$extreme$poverty$concentrated$areas$of$the$counties$served$by$MYA$(Ramsey,$Dakota,$ Washington$and$Hennepin).

The$maps$reveal$the$highest$populated$communities$of$color$are$the$most$impoverished$counties$in$the$ State.$$Ramsey$and$Washington$Counties$are$the$poverty$leaders$at$all$age$levels$in$the$communities$ that$MYA$serves.

25

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$ social$ explorer$ heat$ map$ above$ shows$ the$ local$ cities$ where$ communities$ of$ colors$ reside$ geographically$ in$ the$ Greater$ Minneapolis$ /$ St.$ Paul$ areas$ of$ the$ State.$ The$ data$ chart$ to$ the$ right$ coordinates$the$color$that$represents$the$ethnicity$of$the$population$on$the$heat$map.$$Communities$of$ color$are$concentrated$in$the$Twin$Cities$of$Minneapolis$and$St.$Paul,$MN Exhibit$O:$Population$Living$in$Poverty$(by$age$cell)$with$poverty$quartiles.

The$map$above$shows$MN$poverty$rates$by$age$cell$(above)$tell$a$different$poverty$story$when$viewed$ by$county.$Under$age$5,$Minnesota’s$extreme$(dark$green)$poverty$ratio$is$27.1%$?$43.2%.$$The$county$ map$for$the$population$served$by$MYA,$under$the$same$age$cell$“under$age$5”$shows$a$poverty$ratio$of$ 58.9$–$100%. $

26

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$social$explorer$heat$map$on$the$next$page$shows$the$local$cities$where$communities$of$color$reside$ geographically$in$the$Greater$Minneapolis$/$St.$Paul$areas$of$the$State.$The$data$chart$coordinates$the$ color$that$represents$the$ethnicity$of$the$population$in$the$geographic$area$of$city$in$which$the$ethnic$ population$resides.$$Communities$of$color$are$primarily$concentrated$in$the$Twin$Cities$of$Minneapolis$ and$St.$Paul,$MN$in$the$zip$codes$designated$as$extreme$poverty$concentrated.$$

27

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

$ $ The$maps$on$the$follow$pages$show$the$percent$living$in$poverty$by$Census$Tract,$outlined$in$pink$ showing$the$areas$populated$by$Asians,$Black,$Hispanic$and$Native$Americans.$$The$data$maps$show$ communities$of$color$populate$the$extreme$poverty$concentrated$areas.

28

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

29

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

30

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 THE!ECONOMICS!OF!POVERTY The$ entire$ US$ economic$ system$ is$ built$ on$ inequality$ according$ to$ French$ economist$ Thomas$ Piketty’s$ Capitalism$ in$ the$ 21st$ Century”,$ poverty$ and$ inequality$ left$ unchecked$ will$ cause$ harm$ to$ America’s$ economic$system$as$a$whole.$$ In$ this$ section$ of$ the$ study,$ data$ and$ critical$ thinking$ explores$ how$ the$ cost$ of$ living$ contributes$ to$ poverty$ and$ the$ challenges$ that$ social$ service$ agencies$ like$ MYA$ face$ in$ its$ tireless$ work$ of$ disrupting$ poverty.$ Piketty$illustrates$that$inequality$alone$is$not$the$problem.$$The$problem$is$when$the$gap$is$extreme.$$Its$ effects$are$harmful$to$the$economy.$$Piketty$explained$.$.$.

High$levels$of$inequality$are$a$problem—messing$up$economic$incentives,$tilting$democracies$in$ favor$of$powerful$interests,$and$undercutting$the$ideal$that$all$people$are$created$equal.$ •" Capitalism$does$not$self?correct$toward$greater$equality—that$is,$excess$wealth$concentration$ can$have$a$snowball$effect$if$left$unchecked.$ •" Governments$can$play$a$constructive$role$in$offsetting$the$snowballing$tendencies$if$and$when$ they$choose$to$do$so.$ $ It$is$worth$noting$that$Piketty’s$theory$ruffled$the$feathers$of$US$economists$and$statisticians$trying$to$ •"

find$ flaws$ with$ his$ analysis$ on$ how$ to$ correct$ inequality.$ $ US$ philanthropist$ and$ inventor,$ Bill$ Gates$ wrote$ a$ blog$ on$ Piketty‘s$ theory$ after$ reading$ “Capitalism$ in$ the$ 21st$ Century”$ and$ had$ the$ following$ response: “Extreme& inequality& should& not& be& ignored—or& worse,& celebrated& as& a& sign& that& we& have& a& highR performing&economy&and&healthy&society.&Yes,&some&level&of&inequality&is&built&into&capitalism.&As&Piketty& argues,& it& is& inherent& to& the& system.& The& question& is,& what& level& of& inequality& is& acceptable?& And& when& does&inequality&start&doing&more&harm&than&good?&That’s&something&we&should&have&a&public&discussion& about,&and&it’s&great&that&Piketty&helped&advance&that&discussion&in&such&a&serious&way.”$~Bill$Gates According$to$a$study$conducted$by$PolicyLink$and$PERE$(USC$Program$for$Environmental$and$Regional$ Equity$Founder/CEO,$Angela$Glover$Blackwell,$America’s$current$economic$model$is$broken.$$ “America’s&current&economic&model&is&broken.&As&the&nation&undergoes&a&profound&demographic&shift&in& which&people&of&color&are&becoming&the&majority,&its&ability&to&achieve&sustained&growth&and&prosperity& hinges& on& how& quickly& we,& as& a& country,& can& erase& lingering& racial& and& class& divides& and& fully& apply& everyone’s& talents& and& creativity& to& building& the& next& economy.& Equity,& inclusion,& and& fairness& are& no& longer&only&moral&imperatives—now&they&are&also&economic&ones.&“&~Angela&Glover&Blackwell& 31

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 The$ethnically$diverse$population$of$Minnesota$is$expected$to$increase$to$21%$in$2020,$and$30%$in$2040,$ compared$to$3%$in$1980,$according$to$the$PERE$study$of$Minnesota’s$equality$(policylink.org).

The$ report$ concluded$ that$ the$ leaders$ in$ the$ state’s$ public$ agencies,$ local$ governments,$ anchor$ institutions,$ nonprofit$ organizations,$ community$ groups,$ churches,$ and$ neighborhoods$ need$ to$ set$ up$ the$right$policies,$investments,$incentives,$and$strategies$to$catalyze$and$guide$that$growth$by$an$agenda$ focused$ on$ growing$ good$ jobs,$ preparing$ workers$ for$ the$ jobs$ of$ tomorrow,$ and$ dismantling$ racial$ barriers$while$expanding$economic$opportunities.$ The$ study$ emphasizes$ and$ proves$ that$ an$ investment$ in$ communities$ of$ color$ today$ will$ result$ in$ superior$ growth$ tomorrow$ and$ a$ healthy$ economy$ for$ years,$ especially$ in$ communities$ like$ Ramsey$ County,$ where$ data$ shows$ a$ high$ concentration$ of$ poverty$ in$ communities$ of$ color$ where$ homelessness,$ joblessness$ and$ youth$ involved$ in$ the$ criminal$ justice$ system$ has$ reached$ epidemic$ proportion.

The$data$proves$the$financial$toll$is$harmful$for$everyone,$including$local$governments,$businesses,$Law$ enforcement$ and$ Education$ systems,$ to$ name$ a$ few.$ For$ example,$ a$ homeless$ and$ jobless$ population$ cannot$support$local$retail$businesses,$the$cost$of$student$disengagement$is$severe,$crime$increases$and$ social$ services$ agencies$ are$ overwhelmed.$ $ Local$ governments$ are$ over?burdened$ with$ the$ costs$ of$ unsustainable$social$services$supports,$poverty$is$a$root$cause$of$increased$crime$in$communities$and$so$ on.$$$ MN’s$ Department$ of$ Employment$ and$ Economic$ (DEED)$ released$ a$ study$ on$ February$ 1,$ 2015$ that$ estimated$ the$ (basic?needs)$ cost$ of$ living$ for$ individuals$ and$ families$ in$ Minnesota$ (by$ county,$ region$ and$ state).$ $ The$ study$ examined$ living$ costs$ for$ food,$ housing,$ healthcare,$ transportation,$ childcare,$ other$ necessities$ and$ included$ taxes.$ The$ study$ considers$ a$ simple$ life$ that$ meets$ the$ basic$ needs$ for$ health$ and$ safety,$ therefore,$ expenses$ i.e.$ savings,$ vacation,$ entertainment,$ eating$ out,$ tobacco$ and$ alcohol,$are$not$a$consideration$in$analyzing$cost$of$living$comparisons$for$impoverished$families.

MYA$serves$communities$located$in$the$“Economic$Development$Region$11”$where$the$annual$(simple$ life)$cost$of$living$is$estimated$at$$55,896,$where$a$family$with$1$full?time,$1$part?time$employed$and$one$ child$ must$ earn$ an$ hourly$ rate$ of$ $17.92$ to$ live.$ $ Using$ Ramsey$ County’s$ poverty$ rate$ of$ 16.9%$ of$ its$ population$ of$ 532,655,$ leaving$ 90,000$ families$ vulnerable$ to$ homelessness,$ joblessness$ and$ a$ high$ percentage$of$youth$involved$in$the$criminal$justice$system.$$This$segment$of$the$population$in$Ramsey$ county$lives$well$below$the$poverty$level,$which$is$$20,090$based$on$a$family$of$three$(1?FT,$1?PT$and$1$ child).$ 32

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Exhibit$K:$DEED$Economic$Development$Region$11$Chart

Furthermore,$ the$ reality$ of$ the$ economic$ impact$ when$ a$ family$ loses$ employment,$ results$ in$ a$ fast$ downward$decline$across$all$areas$of$the$community$that$serve$its$population$indicating,$MYA$families$ have$ no$ emergency$ savings$ to$ prevent$ homelessness.$ $ The$ cost$ burden$ is$ shifted$ to$ the$ county$ in$ the$ form$of$public$assistance$that$includes$financial,$housing,$food$and$healthcare.$$ MYA$ manages$ each$ case$ with$ crisis$ expediency,$ followed$ by$ valuable$ education$ programs$ that$ create$ stability$ enabling$ the$ family$ to$ focus$ on$ climbing$ themselves$ out$ of$ poverty.$ These$ social$ programs,$ headed$ by$ community$ leaders$ like$ Dora$ Jones,$ thrive$ because$ of$ the$ investment$ in$ time$ mentoring,$ educating$and$fighting$for$the$disenfranchised$youth$and$their$families$served$by$MYA. The$unemployment$rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$was$reported$at$3.50$%$in$April$of$2015,$according$to$the$ United$States$Federal$Reserve.$The$unemployment$rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$averaged$4.2862$%$since$ its$inception$reaching$a$record$high$of$8.7000$%$and$a$record$low$of$1.7000$%.$$The$MYA$population$of$ 473$ in$ 2014$ has$ a$ 55%$ unemployment$ rate,$ with$ data$ showing$ 50%$ of$ its$ homeless$ applicants$ are$

33

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 employed,$ indicating$ earnings$ below$ living$ wages$ are$ a$ root$ cause$ for$ the$ “employed$ &$ homeless”$ population.

Here$ is$ a$ summary$ of$ conclusions$ in$ the$ MN$ Department$ of$ Employment$ and$ Economic$ Development$ (DEED)$2015$study$regarding$communities$of$color$in$the$State$of$Minnesota.$$ ●" Minorities$ constitute$ 12.48$ percent$ of$ Minnesota’s$ workforce$ according$ to$ the$ American$ Community$ Survey.$ The$ minority$ participation$ rate$ is$ even$ higher$ in$ Food$ Preparation$ and$ Serving?Related$Occupations,$Building$and$Grounds$Cleaning$and$Maintenance$Occupations,$and$ Personal$Care$and$Service$Occupations.$$ ●" In$the$Food$Preparation$and$Serving?Related$Occupations,$minorities$constitute$20.4$percent$of$ the$ workforce.$ The$ statewide$ median$ wage$ for$ these$ occupations$ is$ $9.07$ an$ hour,$ or$ 56$ percent$of$the$statewide$cost$of$living.$$ ●" In$the$Building$and$Grounds$Cleaning$and$Maintenance$Occupations,$minorities$constitute$16.9$ percent$of$the$workforce.$The$statewide$median$wage$for$these$occupations$is$$11.53$an$hour,$ or$71$percent$of$the$statewide$cost$of$living.$$ ●" In$ the$ Personal$ Care$ and$ Service$ Occupations,$ minorities$ constitute$ 16.3$ percent$ of$ the$ workforce.$The$statewide$median$wage$for$these$occupations$is$$10.88$an$hour,$or$67$percent$ of$the$statewide$cost$of$living.$$ ●" Recognizing$the$serious$impact$that$low$wages$have$on$wellbeing,$some$minority$communities$ are$ already$ developing$ community$ wealth?building$ and$ ownership$ strategies.$ The$ hope$ is$ to$ improve$ wages$ within$ the$ existing$ mix$ of$ occupations$ or$ to$ expand$ participation$ in$ higher? paying$jobs.$$ ●" People$who$do$not$earn$enough$to$meet$their$family’s$basic$needs$may$be$more$likely$to$seek$ out$ social$ services$ or$ other$ subsidies.$ In$ regions$ where$ there$ are$ a$ greater$ number$ of$ people$ who$ don’t$ earn$ the$ cost$ of$ living,$ workforce$ development$ centers$ may$ have$ difficulty$ finding$ enough$ self?supporting$ job$ opportunities$ to$ meet$ the$ need.$ This$ in$ turn$ could$ lead$ to$ more$ frequent$re?entry$or$use$of$support$services,$creating$more$strain$on$the$system.$$ ●" Recognizing$the$serious$impact$that$low$wages$have$on$wellbeing,$some$minority$communities$ are$ already$ developing$ community$ wealth?building$ and$ ownership$ strategies.$ The$ hope$ is$ to$ improve$ wages$ within$ the$ existing$ mix$ of$ occupations$ or$ to$ expand$ participation$ in$ higher? paying$jobs.$$ The$ Minnesota$ poverty$ map$ by$ county$ shows$ percentages$ by$ age$ cell.$ $ Under$ age$ 18,$ 16.6%$?$39%$ of$ Minnesota’s$ population$ lives$ in$ extreme$ poverty.$ $ What$ level$ of$ poverty$ is$ acceptable?$ $ What$ level$ of$ homelessness$ is$ acceptable?$ $ What$ level$ of$ joblessness$ is$ acceptable?$ $ What$ level$ of$ hopelessness$ is$ acceptable?$ $ MYA$ believes$ that$ disrupting$ poverty$ cannot$ wait.$ This$ study$ is$ meant$ to$ engage$ a$ community$in$discussion$and$action$from$the$ground$up$to$form$a$network$that$supports$its$mission.$$

34

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 CONCLUSION,!PART!ONE The$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ MYA$ impact$ study$ is$ a$ model$ for$ organizing$ community$ conversation,$ partnerships,$ activism$ and$ engaging$ in$ a$ strategy$ like$ MYA’s$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ plan.$ This$ study$ emphasizes$the$urgency$to$bring$community$leaders,$church$leaders,$local$governments,$policy$makers$ and$citizens$together$in$the$war$on$poverty$with$a$sense$of$urgency$and$determination A!summary!analysis!of!the!data!(2010A2014)!revealed: ●" MYA$predominantly$serves$Ramsey$County$(St.$Paul,$MN),$with$4%$of$MYA's$youth$population$ from$Minneapolis$utilizing$employment$and$mentoring$programs.& ●" The$"hot$zip$codes"$represent$the$zip$codes$entered$by$total$number$of$applicants$(in$a$given$ year)$identifying$the$top$three$zip$codes$as$"hot$zip$codes".$$Ramsey$County$concentrated$ poverty$zone$study$supports$the$MYA$data$in$identifying$extreme$poverty$zones.$$& ●" Since$2010,$MYA$has$served$youth$and$families.$$It$is$important$to$note$that$MYA$is$a$youth? based$organization$that$believes$in$solving$the$crisis$by$bringing$the$whole$family$together.& ●" 5$years$of$data$shows$an$average$of$69%$of$MYA$clients$are$female.& ●" In$2012,$a$sharp$increase$in$high$school$dropouts$occurred,$with$an$increase$in$homelessness$ shown$in$the$data$for$the$same$year.$& ●" MYA$serves$a$predominantly$African?American$population,$although$starting$in$2011,$its$ population$diversified$to$include$White,$Native$American,$Asian$and$Hispanic$applicants.$& ●" MYA$receives$referrals$from$many$different$social$services$agencies$when$applicants$are$ extremely$difficult$to$successfully$process$due$to$factors$that$may$include,$unlawful$detainers,$ criminal$records,$mental$illness$and$health$problems.$$& ●" The$average$MYA$client$served$has$at$least$one$child$in$the$family.$$& ●" Since$2011,$unemployment$has$consistently$remained$high$in$the$population$data$that$MYA$ serves.$$Those$employed$and$not$earning$living$wages$have$been$identified$as$"extremely$ impoverished,"$meaning$living$40%$below$the$national$poverty$threshold$in$the$communities$ served$by$MYA.& ●" 5$years$of$data$shows$that$MYA's$applicants$requested$services$in$consistent$with$their$intake$ interview$showing$those$with$low$education$and$income$lacked$access$to$housing,$employment$ and$education.& ●" Felonies$show$a$drop$in$2014$to$18%.$$The$MYA$2014$Executive$Director’s$reports$shows$1,680$ community$service$hours$logged$by$youth$involved$in$the$criminal$justice$system.& ●" An$average$of$24%$of$applicants$stated$they$had$a$disability.& ●" YOY$applicants$increased$to$152%$from$2013$?$2014$applicants.$$With$the$increase,$135$ applicants$were$homeless,$increasing$19$points$from$2011$to$2012.&

35

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 ●" MYA's$data$shows$that$each$intake$requires$4?5$visits$and$10$hours$of$counseling$and$mentoring$ to$fully$serve$their$needs$for$housing$and$financial$assistance.$The$data$enables$MYA$to$project$ operational$requirements$to$increase$capacity$100%$to$strategic$plan$the$funding$needs$of$the$ organization.& ●" All$intakes$are$reviewed$and$mentored$by$Dora$Jones,$MYA’s$Founder$/$Executive$Director.$$ MYA’s$mandatory$classes$and$housing$training$is$the$mentoring$that$results$in$MYA$supporting$ its$clients’$climb$out$of$poverty.$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!$ MYA’s$top$three$priorities$and$strategic$planning$that$top$place$as$a$result$of$the$initial$study$ focused$on: ●" MYA’s$priority$need$to$increase$capacity$to$meet$demand$requires$a$significant$increase$in$grant$ funding,$donations$and$community$support.$ ●" MYA$data$shows$a$correlation$between$homelessness$and$level$of$education$attained,$showing$ a$need$for$increased$education,$certification$and$job$training$programs.$ ●" Poverty$research$must$come$to$a$conclusion$and$an$action$plan$to$create$change$and$promote$ progress.$ ●" Partners$in$mental$health,$education$and$technology$are$essential$to$disrupting$poverty$in$ greater$capacity$to$achieve$results$sooner.$ The$goal$of$this$study$is$to$come$to$a$definitive$conclusion$and$an$action$plan$that$leads$to$discussion$in$ every$community$in$the$U.S.$$Disrupting$Poverty$is$a$priority$that$cannot$wait.$$Job$creation,$affordable$ housing$and$education$programs$for$youth$to$keep$them$off$the$street$and$out$of$the$criminal$justice$ system.$$$Disrupting$Poverty$educates$the$public$on$issues$that$perpetuate$poverty$in$communities$and$ serves$ as$ a$ resource$ for$ opening$ discussion,$ educating$ the$ public$ and$ supporting$ community?based$ organizations$ with$ the$ funding$ necessary$ to$ provide$ services$ for$ youth$ who$ are$ homeless$ and$ jobless,$ resulting$in$the$increased$populations$of$color$in$juvenile$detention,$loss$of$life$and$lifelong$poverty.

There$is$an$enormous$amount$of$data$available$to$support$the$extreme$poverty$and$race$inequality$that$ exists$ in$ the$ communities$ served$ by$ MYA,$ much$ of$ which$ lacks$ an$ action$ plan.$ This$ study$ is$ meant$ to$ engage$communities$in$discussion$about$creating$an$action$plan$that$networks$the$community$in$a$way$ that$ empowers$ the$ concept$ of$ “climbing$ one’s$ self$ out$ of$ poverty”$ resulting$ in$ extreme$ disruption$ to$ poverty.$$$$ $ A$ network$ of$ access$ to$ jobs,$ affordable$ housing,$ education$ and$ resources$ that$ support$ a$ population’s$ climb$out$of$poverty,$for$the$well$being$of$the$community$at$large.$$

36

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 This$ study$ provides$ a$ conclusion$ based$ on$ qualitative$ and$ quantitative$ data$ that$ recommends$ supporting$ community?based$ social$ services$ agencies$ like$ MYA$ to$ promote$ progress$ and$ change$ by$ causing$ major$ disruption$ to$ poverty$ on$ the$ front$ lines$ of$ the$ battle$ zone$ in$ the$ communities$ where$ positive$change$must$be$led$by$the$people$themselves.$$Putting$these$recommendations$in$place$with$ measurable$goals$and$outcomes$will$best$serve$the$health$and$well?being$of$the$entire$population$of$the$ community The$ most$ efficient$ and$ effective$ path$ to$ change$ is$ to$ empower$ the$ community$ leaders$ that$ have$ a$ proven$ track$ record$ of$ results$ in$ delivering$ the$ critical$ services$ that$ reduce$ poverty.$ $ These$ agencies$ must$monitor$performance$and$have$sound$accountability$practices$and$are$“for$the$people$they$serve”.$ Meaning,$ they$ go$ way$ over$ the$ call$ of$ duty$ to$ achieve$ success.$ $ They$ are$ resilient,$ fearless$ and$ unapologetic$when$it$comes$to$serving$the$people.$$The$recommendations$follow$an$action$plan$based$ on$MYA’s$model$of$“Disrupting$Poverty.” ●" Education$is$the$key$to$disrupting$poverty.$Education$reduces$homelessness$and$increases$low$ wages.$$$Affordable$housing$and$education$programs$are$top$priorities.$$$MYA$developed$strong$ cooperation$ from$ independent$ landlords$ who$ trust$ Dora$ in$ giving$ MYA$ clients$ who$ may$ not$ have$ a$ perfect$ record.$ $ MYA’s$ tenant$ training$ class$ educates$ the$ client$ on$ tenant$ rights$ and$ responsibilities,$ care$ of$ the$ home,$ how$ to$ develop$ and$ maintain$ a$ good$ relation$ with$ the$ landlord.$ ●" Community$ leaders$ should$ be$ identified$ to$ develop$ a$ strategic$ network$ and$ sharing$ of$ data$ using$data$networks$such$as$“Sprockets”$in$the$Twin$Cities$to$gather$critical$research$that$can$be$ used$ to$ measure$ performance$ and$ make$ critical$ decisions$ along$ the$ way.$ $ MYA$ joined$ the$ “Sprockets”$network$to$aggregate$data$that$will$be$used$to$manage$and$evaluate$performance$ for$all$of$its$youth$after?school$programs$and$paid$internships.$The$Sprockets$system$will$enable$ MYA$to$make$critical$decisions$and$enhancements$to$its$programs,$as$often$as$necessary.$ ●" A$strategic$business$model$based$on$a$plan$that$promotes$process$and$creates$change.$$Poverty$ research$ is$ useless$ without$ a$ conclusion$ and$ an$ action$ plan$ to$ create$ change$ and$ promote$ progress.$$MYA$Partners$in$mental$health,$education$and$technology$are$essential$to$disrupting$ poverty$ in$ greater$ capacity$ by$ providing$ valuable$ education$ and$ training$ for$ youth$ and$ staff.$ MYA$has$partnered$with$community$leaders$to$support$youth$mentoring$and$is$looking$forward$ to$ focusing$ on$ building$ an$ expanded$ network$ of$ mental$ health,$ education$ and$ technology$ partners.$ $ $ 37

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 APPENDIX,!PART!1 Disrupting!Poverty!Plan (Page!1!of!5) $ Dora$ is$ often$ heard$ talking$ about$ the$ challenges$ that$ MYA$ faces$ in$ the$ war$ on$ poverty.$ $ “Disrupting! poverty! is! not! sexy,! glamorous! or! profitable.! ! If! your! heart! isn’t! in! this! to! invest! in! people,! and! your! mission! is! to! exploit! the! poor,! then! you! should! find! another! occupation.”$ $ ~$ Dora$ Jones,$ Founder$ /$ Executive$Director$of$Mentoring$Young$Adults MYA!CommunitydBased!Disrupting!Poverty!Plan!Model This$ impact$ study$ is$ a$ model$ for$ organizing$ community$ conversations,$ partnerships,$ activism$ and$ modeling$ a$ strategy$ like$ MYA’s$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ plan.$ This$ study$ emphasizes$ the$ urgency$ in$ bringing$community$leaders,$church$leaders,$local$governments,$policy$makers$and$citizens$together$ in$the$war$on$poverty$with$a$sense$of$urgency$and$determination Starter!Discussion!Questions!

!

38

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 ●" What$level$of$inequality$is$acceptable$based$on$an$economic$system$that$is$built$on$inequality?$ ●" Who$are$the$policy$makers$that$should$be$held$accountable$for$social$services$that$are$critical$ to$disrupting$poverty?$ ●" Who$are$the$government$leaders$that$should$be$held$accountable$for$disrupting$poverty?$ ●" What$programs$and$social$services$are$available$to$improve$education$for$your$children$so$that$ they$can$attend$college$and$earn$a$decent$living?$$What$programs$are$needed?$$$ ●" How$do$we$make$disrupting$poverty$a$priority$in$our$community?$$ ●" Do$we$have$a$solid$plan$to$engage$the$public$in$the$war$on$poverty$and$its$disruption?$ ●" What$accountability$and$performance$measurements$are$required$to$meet$your$goals$set$forth$ by$the$community$to$disrupt$poverty?$ ●" Do$you$understand$how$your$cities’$“non?profit$industrial$complex”$works?$$$ ●" Do$you$know$who$your$community?based$organizational$leaders$are?$ Funding A$strategic$plan$must$focus$on$funding$to$build$capacity,$organization$structure$and$hiring$qualified$staff$ to$meet$the$needs$of$the$community$defined$goals$and$the$populations$served.$$Dora$often$references$ the$“Non?Profit$Industrial$Complex”$as$a$barrier$to$funding$to$keep$up$with$demand$for$community? based$social$services$organizations$located$in$“extreme$poverty”$zones.$$ Disrupting$Poverty$must$occur$at$every$level$and$those$profiting$off$of$poverty$must$be$held$accountable$ said$Dora$Jones,$Executive$Director$of$Mentoring$Young$Adults.

The$economics$of$poverty$is$a$key$element$to$disrupting$poverty.$$There$are$many$questions$to$consider$ when$discussing$the$economics$of$poverty.$$For$example,$is$the$non?profit$industrial$complex$alive$and$ controlling$non?profit$funding?$$According$to$Executive$Director,$Dora$Jones,$“by!the!time!funding!gets! to!communityAbased!organizations!it!has!been!reduced!to!pennies!on!the!dollar.”$$ MYA$ is$ prepared$ to$ fully$ ramp$ up$ its$ operation$ in$ 2016$ with$ success$ in$ reaching$ its$ $225K$ fundraising$ goal$in$2015$and$$445K$budget$goal$in$2016$to$prepare$for$an$estimated$100%$increase$in$demand.$The$ case$ demand$ in$ the$ first$ half$ of$ 2015$ has$ already$ succeeded$ the$ full$ 2014$ number$ of$ cases$ managed.$$ Agencies$ need$ more$ funding$ to$ reach$ its$ goal$ of$ disrupting$ poverty$ and$ reducing$ inequality$ to$ an$ acceptable$level$that$is$representative$of$the$powerhouse$financial$market$that$Minnesota$represents.$$ What$ level$ of$ poverty$ and$ inequality$ is$ acceptable,$ will$ become$ the$ question$ to$ be$ answered$ by$ the$ stakeholders$ of$ the$ community,$ as$ an$ actionable$ and$ impactful$ outcome$ from$ strategic$ discussion$ forums$organized$by$community$leaders. !

39

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Disrupting!Poverty!Network A$key$finding$in$the$data$showed$a$direct$correlation$between$level$of$education$and$homelessness.$$In$ interviews$ with$ clients$ on$ what$ they$ felt$ they$ needed$ most,$ the$ resounding$ response$ was$ a$ job$ and$ education.$While$observing$the$Women’s$Group,$for$example,$I$heard$women$say$that$they$look$to$the$ Internet$most$often$to$find$out$what$they$needed$to$know,$since$they$did$not$have$formal$education.$$$ The$MYA$Disrupting$Poverty$Plan$(DPP)$focus$on$building$a$network$of$resources$that$support$its$valued$ population$ with$ short,$ media$ and$ long$ term$ impact$ outcomes,$ as$ depicted$ in$ the$ “Logic$ Model”$ and$ “Practice$Model”$on$the$next$page.

40

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

$ In$an$interview$with$Jerry$Timian,$Program$Manager$for$Saint$Paul$Foundation$revealed$why$supporting$ MYA$was$in$alignment$with$their$foundation$goals.$$ Why&does&St.&Paul&Foundation&support&MYA?&&& The$North$end$neighborhood$of$Saint$Paul$is$not$rich$in$services.$Many$of$our$neighborhoods$have$many$ services$ organizations$ available$ to$ the$ community$ to$ get$ their$ needs$ met.$ In$ the$ North$ end,$ we$ don’t$ have$as$many$service$organizations$helping$out$the$community.$$$We$don’t$have$that$deep$underground$ organization$ touching$ people$ that$ other$ people$ struggle$ serving.$ Dora$ Jones,$ at$ MYA$ does$ a$ great$ job$ with$ helping$ the$ hardest$ to$ serve$ population,$ serving$ them$ in$ a$ way$ that$ helps$ them$ find$ their$ own$ human$dignity$again.$That’s$a$really$big$part$of$why$we$support$MYA.$Dora$builds$a$trusting$relationship$ and$helps$her$clients$understand$that$they$have$a$friend$in$the$community$and$they$have$someone$that$ is$going$to$watch$their$back$and$help$them$get$stabilized.$That’s$real$hard$work$.$.$.$it’s$not$easy$.$.$.$it$is$ easy$for$her$clients$to$fall$off$the$trail$often$and$Dora$helps$them$get$back$on$the$trail.$$$She$does$not$ give$up$on$people.

41

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

Saint& Paul& Foundation& is& celebrating& its& 75th& year& of& supporting& the& community.& With& such& a& longR standing& history& of& supporting& communityRbased& nonRprofits,& I& ask& Jerry& to& discuss& the& challenges& that& organizations&like&MYA&face&in&the&future.

MYA’s$ challenge$ is$ 1)$ figuring$ out$ how$ to$ present$ themselves$ to$ the$ larger$ funding$ communities$ that$ they$ want$ to$ be$ involved$ with$ and$ 2)$ building$ the$ staff$ capacity$ so$ that$ their$ volunteer$ staff$ and$ employees$understand$how$to$do$the$job$better,$how$to$run$a$business$and$how$to$manage$day?to?day$ operations.

A$ non?profit$ is$ a$ business$ and$ running$ the$ business$ properly$ is$ critical$ to$ success.$ MYA$ has$ sustained$ itself$on$the$edge$for$some$time$and$it$is$new$to$the$funding$world.$MYA$needs$assistance$with$finding$ what$training$is$available$to$help$Dora$and$her$staff$strengthen$their$skills$enable$them$to$deliver$these$ 42

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 critical$services$to$their$clients.$Heart$is$important,$but$it$is$not$enough.$Dora$has$sustained$herself$on$ the$edge$for$too$long,$now$she$has$to$move$to$the$middle.$Funding$will$enable$Dora$to$bring$the$energy$ down$ without$ having$ to$ constantly$ chase$ funding.$ $ Jerry$ Timian$ talked$ about$ the$ need$ for$ the$ community$to$trust$Dora$Jones.

As$a$result$of$this$study,$MYA$restructured$its$organization$to$be$fully$prepared$to$implement$its$strategy$ called$“MYA$Poverty$Disruption$Action$Plan�$and$is$poised$to$be$a$leader$in$creating$a$model$that$can$be$ duplicated$ globally$ to$ disrupt$ poverty.$ $ $ MYA$ understands$ that$ poverty$ is$ a$ global$ crisis$ and$ if$ each$ community,$ county,$ state$ and$ nation$ does$ its$ part$ in$ discussing,$ addressing$ and$ formulating$ a$ plan$ to$ disrupt$poverty,$the$results$in$decreasing$poverty$and$working$to$better$the$community$by$decreasing$ racial$disparities,$creates$a$healthier$economic$environment$for$all.$$ The$study$proves$that$MYA$is$extremely$valuable$to$the$economic$health$of$the$communities$it$serves$ due$to$its$unique$programming$and$its$proven$track$record$of$success$in$the$number$of$cases$where$the$ youth$and$family$are$stabilized$with$jobs$and$housing.$

! !

43

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 DISRUPTING!POVERTY,!PART!TWO

Acknowledgements Thank$you$to$everyone$who$contributed$to$the$MYA$Disrupting$Poverty$Impact$Study.$ A$special$thanks$to:$ Dora$Jones,$MYA’s$Founder$/$Executive$Director Ed$Goetz,$CURA$Director Jeff$Corn,$CURA$Community$Program$Coordinator Jonathan$Miller,$CURA$Communications$Director And$to$all$the$community$leaders,$policy$makers$and$activists$fighting$on$the$front$lines$of$poverty$and$ for$human$rights.$ A$special$thanks$to$my$mother$who$challenges$me$to$love$everyone$and$to$do$ everything$in$my$power$to$make$the$world$a$better$place.$Thank$you$to$our$ancestors$that$gave$me$the$ fortitude$to$fight$for$human$rights$and$to$serve$those$who$are$unable$to$fight$for$themselves.

44

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 DISRUPTING!POVERTY,!PART!II Abstract Part$II$of$Disrupting$Poverty$encapsulates$the$research$in$data$in$Part$I,$by$focusing$on$the$impact$and$ outcomes$of$implementing$the$“Disrupting$Poverty$Action$Plan$I”,$deeper$measurement$of$the$impact$of$ MYA’s$ client$ intakes$ in$ 2015$ and$ results$ from$ follow?up$ interviews$ with$ community$ leaders,$ MYA$ landlords,$funders$and$policy$makers.$$Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$II,$concludes$with$an$enhanced$Disrupting$ Poverty$ Action$ Plan,$ renamed$ “Continuum$ of$ Social$ Services$ Care$ Community$ Network”.$ $ This$ plan$ focuses$ on$ reducing$ poverty$ by$ supporting$ a$ continuum$ of$ social$ services$ care$ provide$ by$ community$ based?agencies$that$hold$each$other$accountable.$The$continuum$of$social$services$community$care$is$a$ cooperative$ and$ collaborative$ network$ of$ resources$ in$ the$ community$ that$ reduces$ the$ high$ cost$ of$ poverty$ and$ burden$ to$ local,$ state$ and$ national$ governments,$ includes$ sound$ accountability$ and$ measurement$practices,$with$successful$impact$and$outcomes$of$providing$sustainable$social$services$to$ youth$and$families.$ Part$II$of$Disrupting$Poverty,$gives$an$example$of$a$country,$not$long$ago$considered$a$developing$nation,$ that$elected$a$President$who$decided$that$the$nation’s$high$poverty$was$causing$economic$disruption$to$ the$ entire$ country.$ $ This$ President$ had$ the$ will$ and$ determination$ to$ reduce$ poverty$ and$ today$ her$ country’s$ reduction$ of$ poverty$ is$ contributed$ to$ its$ world$ economic$ growth.$ This$ country$ is$ Chile,$ considered$ an$ economic$ superpower$ today,$ with$ low$ crime$ and$ a$ social$ services$ system$ that$ provides$ housing$and$free$education$to$its$citizens.$$$ In$ the$ event$ you’ve$ already$ read$ Disrupting$ Poverty,$ Part$ 1,$ you$ will$ move$ on$ to$ Part$ II,$ with$ the$ framework$of$living$in$your$community$after$implementing$the$“Disrupting$Poverty$Plan.$$$Continuum$of$ Social$Services$Community$Care”,$whereby$decreasing$poverty$created$programs$that$created$housing,$ jobs$and$lowered$the$number$of$youth$in$the$criminal$justice$system.$$Mentoring$Young$Adults,$under$ the$direction$of$Dora$Jones,$was$the$perfect$community?based$social$services$agency$to$use$to$complete$ this$study,$as$Dora$has$the$belief$and$will$and$has$operated$her$agency$in$this$capacity$for$many$years.$$ Dora$Jones$and$the$work$that$she$started$10$years$ago$at$Mentoring$Young$Adults$is$the$inspiration$for$ “Disrupting$Poverty$Plan$II:$Continuum$of$Social$Services$Care$Community$Network”.

Monique$Linder Graduate$Research$Assistant Center$for$Urban$and$Regional$Affairs University$of$Minnesota

45

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 WHAT!IS!THE!SIGNIFICANCE!OF!DISRUPTING!POVERTY!TO!MINNESOTANS?!

Minnesota$ is$ the$ worst$ state$ in$ the$ U.S.$ for$ racial$ inequality,$ according$ to$ personal$ finance$ website$ WalletHub.com.$$The$poverty$map$below$shows$St.$Paul/Minneapolis$with$high$poverty$ratios$mapped$in$ deep$purple$at$(19.9%$?$25.1%)$and$lighter$purple$at$(15.6%$?$19.9%).$$$ Exhibit$1:$US$Census$Poverty$Map

The$ poverty$ study$ referenced$ below$ was$ conducted$ by$ an$ expert$ academic$ collaborative$ team$ from$ Princeton$University$Wesleyan$University,$University$of$Illinois,$California$State$University,$University$of$ Colorado$and$University$of$Wisconsin,$and$published$on$January$15,$2016,$revealing$the$black$population$ lags$far$behind$their$white$counterparts$in$education,$income$and$homeownership.$$ Minnesota$ is$ at$ the$ bottom$ of$ all$ the$ poverty$ rankings$ in$ the$ study.$ $ These$ academic$ experts$ provide$ their$ perspective$ on$ what$ is$ needed$ to$ be$ done$ by$ responding$ to$ the$ three$ questions$ below$ in$ the$ conclusion$and$action$plan.$$ â—?" What$can$state$and$local$authorities$do$to$help$reduce$racial$gaps$in$wealth,$employment$and$ 46

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 education?$ ●" Should$state$and$local$authorities$work$to$reduce$racial$segregation$in$housing?$If$so,$how?$ ●" Why$have$some$states$been$more$successful$than$others$in$addressing$racial$inequalities?$ Source: https://wallethub.com/edu/states?with?the?most?and?least?racial? progress/18428/#methodology $ Data$used$to$create$these$rankings$were$obtained$from$the$U.S.$Census$Bureau$and$the$National$Center$ for$Education$Statistics.

Exhibit$2:$WalletHub$Poverty$Rate

The$ WalletHub$ study$ aligned$ with$ The$ MYA$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ I$ and$ II$ in$ measuring$ disparity.$$ WalletHub$assigned$values$to$10$relevant$metrics$between$0$and$100,$where$0$is$the$worst$and$100$is$ the$ best$ in$ comparing$ all$ 50$ states$ and$ the$ District$ of$ Columbia$ across$ two$ key$ dimensions,$ “Employment$&$Wealth”$and$“Education$&$Civic$Engagement.”$$The$study$clearly$identifies$and$supports$ the$ critical$ need$ for$ social$ service$ agencies$ like$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ to$ increase$ capacity.$ $ In$ addition,$like$MYA’s$Disrupting$Poverty$Plan,$this$study$concludes$with$action$items$and$solutions$that$ promote$progress$and$support$change.

The$ WalletHub$ study$ further$ aligns$ with$ MYA$ crisis$ management$ data$ in$ housing,$ employment$ and$ youth$education$in$support$of$the$urgent$need$to$disrupt$the$vicious$cycle$of$poverty$in$communities$of$ color$by$engaging$the$entire$communities’$in$a$resource$filled$network.$$ $ Exhibit$3:$WalletHub$Homeownership$Rate The$ nerve$ center$ of$ MYA’s$ housing$ success$ is$ its$ independent$ landlord$ network.$ $ From$ 2012$ –$ 2015,$ MYA$increased$its$network$of$independent$landlords$from$four$(4)$to$twenty?five$(25),$seeing$a$dramatic$ drop$ in$ homelessness$ by$ getting$ ahead$ of$ clients$ with$ a$ flaw$ on$ their$ records,$ such$ as$ “unlawful$ detainers”$ (UDs).$ MYA$ integrates$ tenant$ training$ classes$ into$ its$ case$ management,$ making$ class$ a$ mandatory$ part$ of$ it$ process$ before$ clients$ receive$ housing$ assistance,$ thereby$ reducing$ the$ rate$ of$ 47

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 chronic$ homelessness$ by$ educating$ clients$ on$ maintaining$ the$ home,$ tenant$ rights$ and$ maintaining$ a$ good$relationship$with$the$landlord.

Exhibit$4:$WalletHub$Unemployment$Rate$Gap$ The$unemployment$rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$was$reported$at$3.50%$in$April$of$2015,$according$to$the$ United$States$Federal$Reserve.$The$unemployment$rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$averaged$4.29%$since$its$ inception$reaching$a$record$high$of$8.7%$and$a$record$low$of$1.7%.$$The$MYA$population$of$643$in$2014$ has$ a$ 61%%$ unemployment$ rate,$ with$ data$ showing$ 38%$ of$ its$ homeless$ applicants$ are$ employed$ indicating$earnings$below$living$wages,$are$a$root$cause$for$the$“employed$&$homeless�$crisis.

48

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Exhibit$5:$WalletHub$Education$Rate$Gap$Bachelor’s$Degree$ According$ to$ research$ conducted$ 24/7$ Wallstreet$ in$ September$ 2014,$ Minnesota$ is$ the$ 10th$ most$ educated$state$in$the$U.S$where$more$than$one$in$three$adults$25$and$older$in$Minnesota$had$at$least$a$ bachelor’s$degree$last$year.$$$

The$report$further$citied$that$Minnesota$residents$with$a$higher$education$were$far$less$likely$to$live$in$ poverty$and$described$households$in$the$state$were$also$quite$wealthy,$with$a$typical$household$earning$ $60,702$in$2013,$versus$a$national$median$household$income$of$$52,250.$ $ Disrupting$Poverty$I$+$II$and$WalletHub$proves$the$data$does$not$tell$the$real$story$when$analyzed$in$ highly$populated$communities$of$color$where$the$highly$educated$fall$well$below$the$earnings$of$a$white$ Minnesota$household.$ $ Exhibit$6:$WalletHub$Education$Rate$Gap$High$School$Diploma

49

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 $ MYA$ manages$ each$ case$ with$ crisis$ expediency,$ followed$ by$ valuable$ education$ programs$ that$ create$ stability,$enabling$the$family$to$focus$on$climbing$themselves$out$of$poverty.$These$social$programs,$led$ by$strong$community$leaders$thrive,$because$of$the$investment$in$time$mentoring,$educating,$coaching,$ uplifting$and$fighting$for$the$disenfranchised. $ Understanding!Systemic!Causes!of!Poverty In$ this$ section,$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ identifies$ systemic$ roadblocks$ that$ make$ climbing$ one’s$ self$ out$ of$ poverty$challenging$and$offers$solutions$for$reducing$poverty.$ $ The!Economics!of!Poverty MYA$Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$I$focused$on$educating$youth$and$families$about$the$economics$of$poverty$ by$holding$information$sessions$and$training$classes$that$incorporated$the$economics$of$poverty$through$ conversations$ revealing$ how$ the$ system$ of$ government$ led$ social$ services$ perpetuates$ poverty$ and$

50

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 inequality.$The$above$chart$shows$a$system$where$poverty$rates$decreased,$while$the$number$of$people$ living$in$poverty$increased$from$1959$–$2013.$(US$Census$2014)$ $ MYA’s$ Executive$ Director,$ Dora$ Jones,$ focused$ on$ finding$ resources$ and$ tools$ necessary$ to$ navigate$ a$ complex$capitalistic$system$that$was$not$built$to$benefit$poor$people.$$This$sharing$of$information$has$ helped$ foster$ the$ idea$ of$ a$ community?engaged$ MYA$ resource$ network$ that$ supports$ an$ individual$ family’s$development$plan.$$The$Disrupting$Poverty$Plan$in$Part$I,$focused$on$implementing$the$impact$ outcomes$that$will$be$discussed$in$the$next$section.

2014!Poverty!Report The$US$Census$data$for$2014$reports$very$little$progress$in$reducing$poverty.$$Poverty$is$on$auto?pilot$or$ status$quo$mode.$$ A$review$of$the$data$shows.$ Income!inequality: ●" The$Gini$index$was$0.480$in$2014,$not$statistically$different$from$2013.$ ●" Since$1993,$the$Gini$index$has$increased$by$5.9$percent.$ ●" Changes$in$income$inequality$between$2013$and$2014$were$not$statistically$significant$ The$next$section$explains$poverty$from$a$housing$perspective.$$The$majority$of$cases$that$walk$into$ Mentoring$Young$Adults$are$homeless,$whereas$in$2015,$51%$of$this$population$are$homeless$and$38%$ of$the$homeless$population$are$employed.$$Lack$of$affordable$housing$is$another$root$cause$of$inequality$ and$serves$to$perpetuate$extreme$poverty.

The!Minnesota!Housing!Crisis Lack$of$affordable$housing$and$low$wages$is$what$MYA’s$data$showed$as$the$root$cause$of$homelessness$ that$effects$youth$and$their$families.$$$$According$to$Ed$Goetz,$Director$of$the$Center$for$Urban$and$ Regional$Affairs$(CURA)$at$the$University$of$Minnesota,$there$is$no$will$in$Minnesota$to$create$affordable$ housing,$thereby$contributing$to$the$rise$in$the$homeless$population. $In$a$recent$CNN$news$report$titled$“The$Consequences$of$Gentrification,$hosted$by$Kamau$Bell,$Mr.$Bell$ was$quoted$as$saying$“What&racist&legislation&couldn’t&accomplish,&gentrification&has&stepped&in&to&take& care&of&the&rest.”

What!is!gentrification?!

The$ US$ Centers$ for$ Disease$ Control$ and$ Prevention$ defines$ gentrification$ as$ the$ transformation$ of$ neighborhoods$from$low$value$to$high$value$in$the$report$“Health$Effects$of$Gentrification.$$It$is$a$real$ estate$ concept$ that$ has$ the$ potential$ to$ cause$ displacement$ of$ long?time$ residents$ and$ businesses,$ causing$them$to$move$from$a$gentrified$area$because$of$higher$rents,$mortgages$and$property$taxes.$$ 51

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

Source:$CNN$ According$to$the$CDC,$gentrification$reduces$social$capital$and$is$a$housing$economic$and$health$issue$ that$ affects$ a$ community’s$ history$ and$ culture.$ $ $ For$ example,$ adding$ new$ stores$ and$ resources$ in$ previously$run?down$neighborhood$has$the$effect$of$shifting$a$neighborhood’s$characteristics,$such$as,$ racial?ethnic$composition$and$household$income.$ North$Minneapolis,$for$example,$is$experiencing$the$causes$of$gentrification$signaled$by$lack$of$housing,$ traffic$ congestion,$ family$ structure,$ rapid$ job$ growth$ and$ public$ policy$ in$ the$ Twin$ Cities.$ Large?scale$ redevelopment$seen$across$Minneapolis$is$cause$a$shift$in$neighborhood$residents.$$ The!Health!Effects!of!Gentrification Socioeconomic$ status,$ land$ use,$ race/ethnicity$ and$ environment$ justice$ are$ several$ factors$ that$ create$ disparities$ that$ affect$ the$ health$ of$ communities,$ according$ to$ the$ CDC.$ $ Conversely,$ where$ a$ person$ lives,$works$and$plays$has$an$impact$on$their$health.$$$$$ The$most$vulnerable$population$to$health$effects$attributed$to$gentrification$include$women,$children,$ the$ elderly$ and$ members$ of$ racial$ /$ ethnic$ minority$ groups.$ Studies$ have$ shown$ that$ vulnerable$ populations$typically$have$shorter$life$expectancy;$higher$cancer$rates;$more$birth$defects;$greater$infant$ mortality,$and$higher$incidence$of$asthma,$diabetes,$and$cardiovascular$disease.$In$addition,$increasing$ evidence$ shows$ that$ these$ populations$ have$ an$ unequal$ share$ of$ residential$ exposure$ to$ hazardous$ substances$such$as$lead$paint.

52

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Other$health$effects$include$limited$access$to$or$availability$of$the$following: ●" ●" ●" ●" ●" ●"

affordable$healthy$housing$ healthy$food$choices$ transportation$choices$ quality$schools$ bicycle$and$walking$paths,$exercise$facilities,$etc.$ social$networks$

Changes$can$also$occur$in: stress$levels$ injuries$ ●" violence$and$crime$ ●" mental$health$ ●" social$and$environmental$justice$ ●" $ http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/healthtopics/gentrification.htm ●" ●"

The$ leading$ cause$ of$ death$ for$ the$ homeless$ is$ drug$ overdose,$ mostly$ involving$ opioids.$ $ In$ fact,$ the$ death$of$Minnesota’s$most$famous$and$beloved$resident,$Prince,$caused$by$an$opioid$overdose,$serves$ as$a$wake?up$call$for$our$communities$to$take$action$to$disrupt$all$causes$of$poverty,$making$addiction$a$ crisis$priority.$$ Mentoring$Young$Adults$is$not$licensed,$nor$staff$to$handle$medical$and$other$health$care$needs.$$It$is$ critical$that$MYA$forms$partners$and$alliances$with$healthcare$delivery$systems$to$ensure$that$its$youth$ and$families$get$the$help$they$needs$to$get$on$their$feet$and$remain$out$of$poverty.$ The$ New$ York$ Times$ article$ by$ Haeyoun$ Park$ and$ Matthew$ Bloch$ in$ January$ 2016$ reports$ on$ the$ increase$ in$ drug$ overdose$ deaths$ from$ 2003$ ?$ 2014.$ $ The$ Center$ for$ Disease$ Control$ reported$ 125$ Americans$die$from$a$drug$overdose$daily. $ This$is$America.$$America$can$reduce$poverty$if$it$has$the$will$to$do$so.$$The$next$section$illustrates$how$ less$ developed$ countries$ successfully$ reduced$ poverty,$ resulting$ in$ economic$ growth$ for$ the$ whole$ country.$$

INTERNATIONAL!POVERTY!DISRUPTION!!

Internationally,$the$United$States$is$perceived$as$a$super$powerful$nation.$$$Bill$Gates$reflected$on$the$ notion$that$a$country$cannot$be$a$high?flying$super?power$when$concentrated$extreme$inequality$exists$ that$ threatens$ its$ economic$ system,$ in$ his$ Glassnotes$ blog$ after$ he$ read$ Thomas$ Pikkety’s$ book,$ “Capitalism$in$the$Twenty?First$Century”.$$

53

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 In$1988,$48%$of$Chileans$lived$below$the$poverty$line.$ By$2000$poverty$had$been$reduced$to$20%.$During$the$ 1990s,$ center?left$ governments$ implemented$ a$ 17%$ increase$ in$ the$ minimum$ wage,$ a$ 210%$ increase$ in$ social$spending$targeted$at$the$low?income$sectors$of$ the$ population,$ and$ across$ the$ board$ tax$ increases,$ reversing$the$tax$cuts$of$1988$and$taxing$an$additional$ 3%$ of$ the$ country's$ GDP$ into$ government$ coffers.$ A$ 2004$ World$ Bank$ report$ attributed$ 60%$ of$ Chile's$ 1990's$ poverty$ reduction$ to$ economic$ growth$ and$ government$ programs$ aimed$ at$ poverty$ alleviation$ accounted$ for$ the$ rest.$ $ In$ 2013,$ the$ National$ Socioeconomic$ Status$ Survey$ reported$ a$ 14.4$ Chilean$ poverty$ rate$ and$ 4.5%$ of$ Chile’s$ population$ living$ in$ extreme$ poverty.$ $ In$ comparison,$ $ the$ United$ States$ had$ a$ 14.5%$ poverty$ rate$ in$ 2013,$ 11.2%$ in$ the$ State$ of$ Minnesota$ and$ 16.9%$ in$ Ramsey$ County,$ where$ 27%$ of$ the$ population$ representing$ populations$ of$ color,$primarily$Black,$Hispanic,$Asian$and$Native$American$ethnicity.

The$United$States,$a$fully$developed$nation,$has$an$economic$system$that$was$built$on$inequality.$$The$ United$ States$ is$ ranked$ 5th$ worldwide,$ as$ the$ population$ living$ below$ the$ poverty$ threshold.$ National$ Poverty$ Center$ research$ found$ 1.65$ million$ American$ households$ are$ living$ in$ “extreme$ poverty”,$ and$ these$households$include$3.55$million$children.$ THE!IMPACT!OF!COMMUNITY!SOCIAL!SERVICES!PROVIDERS MYA$Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$II’s$impact$starts$with$measuring$the$data$over$a$period$of$time,$along$with$ measuring$ the$ impact$ of$ short,$ media$ and$ long$ term$ impact$ strategies$ implemented$ from$ Disrupting$ Poverty,$Part$I.$$ Mentoring$Young$Adults’$success$in$reducing$poverty$is$primarily$due$to$its$organization’s$programming$ and$creativity$in$tapping$into$resources$that$address$three$key$areas: 1)" Landlord$Housing$Network$ 2)" Mentoring$/$Coaching$/$Training$ 3)" Group$Training$Classes$ Breaking$down$barriers$for$clients$who$were$written$off$by$society$is$extremely$challenging.$$MYA’s$ impact$on$providing$critical$services$in$the$community$is$accomplished$on$very$little$funding.$It$is$the$ belief$and$will$of$MYA’s$Executive$Director,$Dora$Jones$in$serving$the$poor$that$delivers$positive$ outcomes$for$youth$and$families$in$extreme$poverty$concentrated$areas$of$Ramsey,$Hennepin,$Dakota$ and$Washington$counties.$$$ $ $ 54

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 In$this$section,$the$MYA$logic$model,$created$in$August$2015,$will$be$referenced$often$as$the$strategic$ planning$document,$where$Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$II$focuses$on$the$“outcomes?$impact”$of$community? based$social$services$agencies$as$the$central$operations$for$reducing$poverty.

Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$I$analyzed$the$client$intake$data$demographics$and$profile,$while$Part$II,$studies$ the$2015$data$and$the$impact$of$Mentoring$Young$Adults$programs$in$reducing$poverty$during$this$ period.$$In$2015,$MYA’s$client$intakes$increased$48%,$with$an$increase$in$homeless$cases$from$135$in$ 2014$to$328$in$2015.$$The$amount$of$cases$with$felonies$on$their$record$increased$as$well$in$2015,$with$ 167$clients,$up$from$79$in$2014.$$The$next$section$illustrates$the$impact$and$outcomes$of$Mentoring$ Young$Adults’$logic$model,$leading$into$a$review$of$the$data,$client$impact$stories,$conclusion$and$ updated$action$plan.

! ! !

55

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Mentoring!Young!Adults!Impact The$ MYA$ SWOT$ analysis$ below$ illustrates$ MYA’s$ “Strengths”$ and$ “Opportunities”$ outweigh$ “Weaknesses”$and$“Threats”.$$Although,$the$threats$outlined$in$red$are$extremely$critical$and$serve$to$ perpetuate$ poverty.$ $ The$ research$ shows$ the$ need$ to$ support$ grassroots$ activism$ that$ fights$ social,$ human$ and$ criminal$ injustices$ to$ support$ the$ continuum$ of$ social$ services$ care$ and$ supports$ the$ proactive$and$preventative$support$of$youth$and$families$who$are$facing$homelessness$and$employment$ despite$how$educated$they$are.$$$The$system$suffers$from$dysfunction$and$greed$which$place$youth$in$ the$for$petty$offenses,$versus$making$sure$programs$are$in$place$to$provide$after?school$programs$and$ summer$jobs$for$youth.$$$

56

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 MYA!5!d!YEAR!DATA!IMPACT!INFOGRAPHIC The$ perfect$ poverty$ tsunami$ happens$ when$ youth$ and$ families$ are$ homeless$ and$ underemployed,$ homeless$ and$ unemployed$ and$ youth$ involved$ in$ the$ criminal$ justice$ system$to$any$of$the$above$scenarios.$$Since$ MYA$ is$ located$ in$ the$ 5th$ poorest$ county$ in$ the$State$of$Minnesota$and$provides$services$ to$ the$ hardest$ to$ place$ intakes$ due$ to$ imperfect$records,$chronic$homelessness$and$ unemployment,$ the$ poverty$ tsunami$ scenarios$ all$ in$ 95%$ of$ the$ cases$ that$ walk$ through$the$door.$ $MYA’s$strategic$planning$meeting$took$place$ on$ October$ 6,$ 2015$ with$ Executive$ Director,$ Dora$ Jones,$ with$ an$ objective$ to$ focus$ on$ outcomes$ and$ impact$ measurement$ of$ the$ logic$model.

MYA’s$ Executive$ Director,$ Dora$ Jones’$ focus$ on$ the$ short$ term$ outcome$ has$ performed$ outstandingly$ on$ implementing$ CURA’s$ recommendations$ to$ its$ organizational$ structure.$ $ In$ fact,$ key$ successes$ from$ implementing$ the$ logic$ model$ strategic$ plan$ are: 1." Increase$in$YOY$funding$ 2." Attracted$new$funding$sources$ 3." Increase$landlord$network$ MYA$is$celebrating$10$Years$of$Service$to$the$ communities$it$serves.$$The$MYA$infographic$ to$ the$ left$ represents$ the$ key$ areas$ where$ MYA’s$ data$ showed$ the$ most$ impact$ to$ the$ community$ in$ reducing$ homelessness,$ providing$ job$ training$ and$ placement$ and$ through$ it$ mandatory$ education$ programs,$ MYA$has$100%$participation$rate.$

57

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 MYA!LOGIC!MODEL!STRATEGY!PLANNING!MEETING!REVIEW!(OCTOBER!2015)

• • • • • •

Hiring$a$grant$writer Presenting$ MYA$ Impact$ Study$ to$ stakeholders,$ community$ leaders,$ law$ enforcement$ and$ referral$network.

Reorganizing$the$MYA$Board$of$Directors$to$better$align$with$logic$model$outcomes.

Increased$workforce$and$volunteer$staff$skills$requirements Train$staff$on$CRM$system$(Salesforce$for$non?profits)$$ Enhance$ education$ programs$ (i.e.$ Entrepreneurship$ +$ Innovation$ funded$ by$ Best$ Buy$ Foundation)

At$ full$ operational$ capacity,$ MYA’s$ budget$ requires$ annual$ funding$ at$ a$ minimum$ of$ $445,000.$$ Increased$funding$will$enable$MYA$to$rent$additional$office$space$to$manage$the$increased$demand$in$ Ramsey$ County’s$ extreme$ poverty$ concentrated$ area,$ the$ 5th$ poorest$ county$ in$ Minnesota.$ $ MYA’s$ Executive$Director$scaled$back$intake$hours$of$operation$in$November$and$December,$in$order$to$focus$ on$ the$ implementation$ of$ the$ logic$ model’s$ short?term$ outcomes,$ particularly$ related$ to$ meeting$ its$ funding$goals.

Here!is!a!snapshot!of!strategic!plan!based!on!the!Logic!Model’s!Short,!Medium!and!Long!Term!

Outcomes!and!Impact:!

Short!Term Main$Objective$is$to$increase$funding$and$build$organizational$capacity.$ Top$three$activities: 1. $Increase$grant$submissions$by$hiring$a$professional$grant$writer.

2. $Install$CRM$(Customer$Relationship$Management)$technology.

3. $Implement$Business$Strategy$from$MYA$Disrupting$Poverty$I$(Disrupting$ Poverty$Plan,$Logic$and$Practice$Model

Funding

Short!Term!Outcomes!+!Impact

The$ majority$ of$ the$ funding$ is$ directed$ towards$ housing$ and$ financial$ assistance$ for$ families$ who$ are$ homeless.$$MYA$has$been$operating$out$of$a$small,$one?room$office$located$near$the$State$Capitol$in$the$ MN$Women’s$Consortium$building$located$off$of$University$and$Rice$Streets$in$St.$Paul,$Minnesota.

MYA$ historically$ has$ operated$ under?funded$ for$ 9$ years.$ In$ 2014,$ MYA$ operated$ on$ $45,000$ in$ grant$ funding.$$In$2015,$the$amount$increased$to$$71,000,$representing$a$63%$increase$YOY.$$CURA’s$research$ grant$ enabled$ MYA$ to$ receive$ the$ full$ benefits$ of$ business$ consulting$ and$ strategic$ planning$ from$ Graduate$ Research$ Assistant,$ Monique$ Linder.$ $ The$ results$ of$ implementing$ the$ recommendations$ 58

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 proposed$ in$ the$ 5?year$ strategic$ plan$ created$ in$ September$ 2015,$ grant$ funding$ increased$ to$ $71,000,$ representing$a$63%$increase$YOY,$in$the$first$quarter$of$2016.$MYA’s$additional$of$a$professional$grant$ writer$to$the$team$has$created$a$funnel$of$pending$grants$that$MYA$has$never$had$in$its$history.$MYA$ currently$has$already$received$50%$of$the$total$grant$funding$received$in$2015$in$the$first$two$weeks$of$ 2016.$$The$CURA$supported$research$enabled$MYA$to$create$a$sound$strategic$mapping$for$increasing$ the$agency’s$capacity.$$$

Technology!Integration MYA$ had$ operated$ for$ 9$ years$ with$ manual$ records$ processing.$ $ MYA$ today$ is$ building$ capacity$ using$ advanced$ technology$ systems.$ $ The$ first$ implementation$ of$ technology$ occurred$ in$ September$ 2016$ with$grants$funding$from$Ramsey$County$to$track$MYA’s$homeless$families$that$live$in$Ramsey$County.$$ The$ grant$ requirements$ included$ financial$ assistance$ for$ families$ that$ would$ be$ tracked$ through$ the$ Family$Homeless$Prevention$Assistance$Program$(FHPAP),$client$relationship$management$system.$$(see$ data$demographic$data$results$from$31$entries$on$next$page)$

FAMILY!HOMELESS!PREVENTION!ASSISTANCE!PROGRAM!(FHPAP) The$chart$below$shows$MYA$demographic$results$based$on$37$entries$from$October$–$December$2015$ from$the$FHPAP$system.$$ Demographics Adults 72%$?$Female 28%$?$Male Youth 63%$?$Female 37%$?$Male Households Families$–$69% Singles$–$31% Household$Composition Female$Single$Adult$–$62.5% Male$Single$Adult$–$6% Average$Age$Per$Child$–$9$years Race African?American$–$97%

Other$–$3%

Homeless First$Time$–$37% Long$Term$–$19% Multiple$Times$–$6% Not$Homeless$–$37.5% Datasource:$FHPAP$Demographics$and$Entry$Counts$V.2015.2 59

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 For$example,$the$implementation$of$a$new$Client$Relationship$Management$(CRM)$system$to$improve$ efficiency$ in$ overwhelmed,$ understaffed$ and$ underfunded$ organizations,$ such$ as$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults.$ $ Pushing$ the$ boundaries$ of$ research,$ by$ fulfilling$ a$ necessary$ requirement$ of$ the$ data$ analysis$ process$and$gave$MYA$a$system$to$manage$their$caseload,$grant$funding$and$volunteers.$ CURA’s$ organizational$ capacity$ research$ and$ recommendation$ from$ the$ CURA$ strategic$ plan$ included$ finding$ an$ affordable$ “Client$ Relationship$ Management”$ (CRM)$ system$ to$ track$ all$ youth$ and$ family.$$ After$reviewing$several$options,$the$best$solution$was$“Salesforce$for$Non?Profits”,$as$it$provided$system$ technical$support$for$the$customization$and$integration.$$CURA’s$Research$Assistant$provided$pro?bono$ “System$Administration/In?House$Technical”$support$for$the$Salesforce$solution$for$non?profits,$which$is$ 100%$ free$ for$ 501(c)$ 3$ non?profit$ organizations$ that$ are$ approved$ into$ the$ Salesforce$ for$ non?profit$ program$through$a$relatively$easy$program.$$ The$ first$ challenge$ after$ designing$ the$ system$ to$ meet$ MYA’s$ needs$ was$ to$ input$ 2015$ data,$ then$ migrate$ data$ from$ 2009$ –$ 2014$ from$ excel$ spreadsheets.$ This$ process$ required$ mapping$ of$ 5?years$ of$ data$from$excel$spreadsheets$to$match$Salesforce’s$data$fields$required$many$hours$of$trial$and$error.$$ Sales$ Force$ provided$ implementation$ consulting$ for$ non?profits$ to$ get$ started,$ which$ was$ extremely$ helpful.$ Currently,$ MYA’s$ data$ records$ have$ been$ migrated$ to$ Sales$ Force$ and$ the$ system$ is$ fully$ operational.$ $ MYA’s$ housing$ coordinator$ has$ been$ trained.$ $ The$ 2015$ data$ analyzed$ in$ this$ MYA$ Disrupting$Poverty$II$is$a$direct$download$from$Salesforce,$statistically$modeled$using$.JMP.$$

In$addition$to$managing$client$records,$the$Sales$Force$ NPSP$ (Non?Profit$ Starter$ Pack)$ solution$ enables$ MYA$ to$ track$ funding,$ donations,$ volunteer$ hours$ and$ communication$with$all$of$MYA’s$stakeholders.

All$ client$ intakes$ and$ case$ management$ are$ tracked$ through$ Salesforce.$ $ Client$ data$ is$ safe$ and$ secure.$ As$ funding$grows,$MYA$will$hire$and$assign$case$managers$ that$ specialize$ in$ housing,$ employment$ and$ the$ criminal$justice$system.$ The$ report$ feature$ allows$ MYA$ to$ manage$ the$ organization’s$critical$and$confidential$data$to$estimate$ the$ amount$ of$ resources$ required$ to$ manage$ and$ increase$ capacity.$ $ Salesforce$ allow$ tracks$ fundraising$ 60

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 and$volunteer$hours$giving$MYA$efficient$processes$and$technology$that$supports$MYA’s$business$model$ of$doing$more$with$less.$$ $ Medium!Term!Outcomes!+!Impact MYA$will$increase$its$efforts$to$expand$its$network$of$independent$landlords$and$additional$partners$to$ provide$affordable$housing,$not$limited$to$investment$companies$that$purchase$dilapidated$real$estate$ to$renovate$into$affordable$housing$units$for$low?income$families.$

Medium!Term Main$Objective$is$to$increase$community$engagement$by$collaborating$with$community$leaders.

Top$three$activities: Presenting$MYA$Disrupting$Poverty$Impact$Study,$Part$I$to$funders,$policy$makers,$ church$leaders$and$community?based$agencies$ Develop$a$formal$resource$network$in$the$CRM$system.

Increase$network$of$independent$landlords

Disrupting!Poverty!Resource!Network!

Create$a$strategic$communication$support$system$for$partners$and$stakeholders$in$the$CRM$system.

MYA’s$ network$ of$ partners$ includes$ law$ enforcement,$ education,$ non?profits$ like$ Ujamaa$ and$ church$ leaders$ in$ the$ communities$ it$ serves.$ MYA’s$ ability$ to$ partner$ with$ mental$ health,$ education$ and$ technology$professionals$are$essential$to$disrupting$poverty$in$greater$capacity$to$achieve$results$sooner$ than$later.$$ Long!Term!Outcomes!+!Impact ●" MYA$Economic$Stability$ ●" Increased$Education$+$Employment$Opportunities$for$MYA$Youth$and$Families$ ●" Expand$the$Affordable$Housing$Independent$Landlord$Network$ The$most$critical$care$MYA$partner$is$the$landlord$network,$who$gives$MYA’s$clients$a$second$chance.$ MYA’s$ clients$ are$ the$ hardest$ to$ place$ because$ of$ criminal$ records$ and$ unlawful$ detainers.$ $ MYA’s$ landlord$ network$ placed$ 81$ families$ out$ of$ 328$ applications$ for$ housing$ assistance.$ $ It$ is$ important$ to$ 61

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 note$ that$ housing$ assistance$ includes$ housing$ search,$ housing$ deposit,$ and$ utility$ financial$ assistance.$ Dora$is$called$to$intervene$when$the$landlord$is$notified$that$the$utilities$have$been$turned$off$due$to$ non?payment.$$The$landlord$is$left$with$no$alternative$but$to$evict$the$tenant$or$the$city$will$condemn$ their$property.$$Dora$is$called$to$help$with$the$transition$to$a$new$residence.$ $ Partnering$with$local$government$agencies$to$create$job$opportunities$and$training$for$youth$is$critical$to$ reducing$ poverty.$ $ According$ to$ Minnesota$ DEED,$ Black?Americans$ suffer$ the$ highest$ unemployment$ and$underemployment.$$$ $

Long!Term Main$Objective$is$to$find$adequate$operating$space$to$grow$MYA’s$capacity$over$the$next$ 10$years.

Top$three$activities: Meet$with$Ramsey$County$Commissioners$and$Building$Planning$Teams$to$ support$funding$and$development.

Increase$housing$independent$landlord$network. ! ! ! ! !

Increase$all$MYA$education$programs$starting$with$employment$and$youth$ criminal$justice$services.

62

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 !

MYA!Landlord!Impact!Interview! !

MYA$ landlord,$ Eldon$ Marier$ of$ Blue$ Holdings,$ LLC,$ discussed$ the$ important$ role$ that$ MYA$ plays$ in$ connecting$with$tenants.$$ Mr.$Marier$explained: “Dora! trains! her! clients,! preAscreens! and! makes! tenant! training! mandatory.! ! Her! weekly! women’s! group! educates! and! mentors! women! on! many! issues,! including! accountability! and! responsibility.!!Dora!provides!mediation!with!tenants!when!there!is!an!issue!that!needs!to!be! addressed,!making!it!easier!to!communicate.!!For!example,!if!the!client!has!falls!behind,!a!call! to!Dora!to!intervene!on!behalf!of!the!landlord!is!received!positively!by!the!tenant.”

MYA!Client/!Community!Impact!Interview Armed$with$this$data$and$explanation,$I$randomly$selected$two$MYA$families$to$interview:$two$mothers$ with$children$who$live$in$the$extreme$poverty$concentrated$areas$of$Saint$Paul,$MN.$ The$clients’$names$have$been$changed$to$protect$their$identity$and$privacy.

Kenya’s!Story Kenya$grew$up$in$a$broken$and$abusive$family.$$Her$mother$was$in$and$out$of$abusive$relationship$and$ her$father$was$a$pimp$and$a$drug$dealer.$$Between$the$years$of$10$and$16$she$was$raped$and$molested$ repeatedly.$$She$attempted$to$commit$suicide$twice$to$prevent$from$seeing$her$mother$abused.$She$still$ managed$to$graduate$from$high$school$on$time.$$In$2014,$she$was$in$an$extremely$abusive$relationship,$ suicidal,$depressed$and$homeless.$$A$friend$told$her$about$Dora.$$In$September$2014,$she$walked$into$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ and$ Dora$ helped$ her$ by$ giving$ her$ the$ confidence$ to$ leave$ the$ abusive$ relationship.$$Dora$helped$her$check$into$a$mental$facility$and$get$care$for$her$10?year$old$son.$$Kenya$ was$ diagnosed$ with$ depression,$ PTSD,$ bi?polar$ and$ had$ frequent$ panic$ attacks$ and$ received$ the$ crisis$ treatment$necessary$to$stabilize$herself.$$During$her$time$in$the$facility$Dora$contacted$a$landlord$in$her$ network$ and$ by$ Halloween,$ she$ surprised$ her$ soon$ by$ showing$ him$ his$ new$ room$ in$ their$ new$ home.$$ The$ landlord$ was$ very$ caring.$ $ Kenya$ attended$ Women’s$ Group$ every$ Tuesday$ and$ went$ to$ tenant$ training,$ which$ were$ mandatory$ classes.$ $ Since$ then,$ many$ opportunities$ have$ opened$ up.$ $ Kenya’s$ experience$ turned$ her$ into$ a$ community$ leader$ and$ activist.$ $ Kenya$ had$ the$ opportunity$ to$ travel$ to$ Washington,$DC$with$Take$Action$MN$to$tell$her$story.$$ Kenya$had$the$following$to$say$about$the$impact$of$community$leaders$like$Dora$Jones$and$Mentoring$ Young$Adults: “I!was!so!broken!when!I!came!to!MYA.!!Dora!help!me!restore!my!confidence!and!faith.!!Dora!cried!with! me.!!Dora!loved!me.!!Without!Dora,!I!would!not!be!alive!today.!!Dora!educates,!mentors!and!coaches! women!individually.!!Women’s!Group!is!an!empowering!sisterhood!and!support!system.!!It!shows!us!

63

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 that!we!are!not!alone.!!We!share!pain!and!suffering.!.!.!women!cry!and!crying!is!part!of!the!healing! process."!

Terri’s!Story Terri$tells$her$story$about$how$she$came$to$Mentoring$Young$Adults$and$what$Dora$did$to$help$her$out$ of$housing$crisis$after$losing$her$job$as$the$Metrodome$stadium$closed.$$Theresa$was$forced$out$of$her$ apartment$when$she$could$no$longer$pay$her$rent.$$Theresa$slept$in$her$car$with$her$four$children.$$A$ friend$told$her$about$MYA$and$Dora$helped$her$find$an$apartment.$$Theresa$shared$her$story$of$growing$ up$in$troubled$home$raised$by$a$mom$who$abused$drugs$and$was$violently$abused$by$the$men$in$her$ life.$ $ Theresa$ described$ herself$ as$ a$ "broken"$ and$ troubled$ teenager$ with$ no$ family$ support.$ $ She$ managed$to$graduate$from$high$school.$$Her$mental$health$suffered$and$she$was$diagnosed$with$severe$ depression$and$PTSD.$$Dora's$programs$such$as$Women's$Group$and$Tenant$Training$helped$her$to$pull$ her$life$together$and$focus$on$finding$herself$so$that$she$can$help$her$children.$$Theresa's$story$supports$ MYA's$ long$ time$ impact$ found$ in$ analyzing$ the$ data$ which$ shows$ MYA's$ ability$ to$ provide$ crisis$ mentoring$and$coaching$which$gets$the$youth$and$family$on$their$feet$by$empowering$them$to$use$all$ the$resources$available.$$Theresa$expands$on$what$is$going$on$in$the$community$that$needs$to$be$fixed$ and$ how$ there$ needs$ to$ be$ more$ community$ service$ organizations$ like$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ and$ community$ leaders$ like$ Dora$ that$ support$ long?term$ stability$ for$ youth$ and$ families$ that$ are$ living$ in$ extreme$poverty.

MENTORING!YOUNG!ADULTS!2015!DATA!ANALYSIS Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$I$analyzed$the$client$intake$data$demographics$and$profile,$while$Part$II,$studies$ the$ 2015$ data$ and$ the$ impact$ of$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ programs$ in$ reducing$ poverty$ during$ this$ period.$$In$2015,$MYA’s$caseload$increased$48%,$with$an$increase$in$homeless$cases$from$135$in$2014$to$ 328$ in$ 2015.$ $ The$ amount$ of$ cases$ with$ felonies$ on$ their$ record$ increased$ as$ well$ in$ 2015,$ with$ 167$ clients,$up$from$79$in$2014.$$ Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$II$measures$"MYA$outcomes/impact”$to$the$communities$it$serves$by$looking$at$ the$ client$ intake$ data$ “numbers$ of$ visits$ per$ family"$ over$ the$ past$ three$ years$ (2012$ ?$ 2015),$ using$ a$ duplication$analysis.$$For$example,$if$the$analysis$revealed$the$last$name$“Johnson”$visited$5$times$in$the$ past$three$years,$families$with$the$last$name$“Johnson”$were$checked$for$“repeat$visits”$based$on$having$ the$same$first$name.$$ For$example,$the$implementation$of$a$new$Client$Relationship$Management$(CRM)$system$to$improve$ efficiency$ in$ overwhelmed,$ understaffed$ and$ underfunded$ organizations,$ such$ as$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults.$ $ Pushing$ the$ boundaries$ of$ research,$ by$ fulfilling$ a$ necessary$ requirement$ of$ the$ data$ analysis$ process$and$gave$MYA$a$system$to$manage$their$caseload,$grant$funding$and$volunteers.$ CURA’s$ organizational$ capacity$ research$ and$ recommendation$ from$ the$ CURA$ strategic$ plan$ included$ finding$ an$ affordable$ “Client$ Relationship$ Management”$ (CRM)$ system$ to$ track$ and$ manage$ MYA’s$ cases.$$After$reviewing$several$options,$the$best$solution$was$“Salesforce$for$Non?Profits”,$as$it$provided$ 64

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 system$ technical$ support$ for$ the$ customization$ and$ integration.$ $ CURA’s$ Research$ Assistant$ provided$ pro?bono$ “System$ Administration/In?House$ Technical”$ support$ for$ the$ Salesforce$ solution$ for$ non? profits,$which$is$100%$free$for$501(c)$3$non?profit$organizations$that$are$approved$through$a$Salesforce$ relatively$easy$application$process.

The$ first$ challenge$ after$ designing$ the$ system$ to$ meet$ MYA’s$ needs$ was$ to$ input$ 2015$ data,$ then$ migrate$ data$ from$ 2009$ –$ 2014$ from$ excel$ spreadsheets.$ This$ process$ required$ mapping$ of$ 5?years$ of$ data$from$excel$spreadsheets$to$match$Salesforce’s$data$fields$required$many$hours$of$trial$and$error.$$ Sales$ Force$ provided$ implementation$ consulting$ for$ non?profits$ to$ get$ started,$ which$ was$ extremely$ helpful.$ Currently,$ MYA’s$ data$ records$ have$ been$ migrated$ to$ Sales$ Force$ and$ the$ system$ is$ fully$ operational.$ $ MYA’s$ housing$ coordinator$ has$ been$ trained.$ $ The$ 2015$ data$ analyzed$ in$ this$ MYA$ Disrupting$Poverty$II$is$a$direct$download$from$Salesforce,$using$statistical$modeling$software.$ MYA$Program$Impact$ MYA&clients&seeking&housing&are&required&to&complete&a&tenant&training&class.&&Women’s&and&Men’s& group&classes&are&required&in&order&to&receive&assistance&from&MYA.& & In$ 2015,$ MYA’s$ intake$ applications$ increased$ 47%$ while$ employment$ decreased$ 8%$ and$ homelessness$ increased$ 20%.$ $ MYA’s$ landlord$ network$ increased$ from$ 20$ to$ 24.$ $ The$ MYA$ homeless$ rate$ is$ 51%$ of$ total$applicants.$$MYA$provided$housing$to$24%$of$its$cases$in$2015.$$$ $ MYA$funding$has$also$increased$147%$YoY$from$2014$?$2015$due$to$a$successful$implementation$of$the$ logic$model’s$short$term$strategy$from$Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$I.$$

$ 65

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 & Youth!Mentoring Dora$Jones$explained$that$long$term$impact$on$her$youth$is$predicated$on$bringing$families$together$to$ fix$ problems$ in$ the$ home,$ school$ and$ family.$ $ When$ a$ homeless$ youth$ walks$ in$ the$ door,$ she$ knows$ there’s$a$family$story$that$accompanies$that$youth.$$In$order$for$the$youth$to$be$success,$he$must$have$a$ loving$and$nurturing$home$life.$$Dora$sees$her$role$in$mentoring$youth$involving$the$family$and$getting$ moms$and$dads$into$MYA$women$and$men’s$group$to$stabilize$the$family.$$ The$ data$ proves$ that$ community?based$ agencies$ like$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ are$ leaders$ in$ reducing$ poverty$ and$ providing$ social$ services$ that$ reach$ the$ family$ directly,$ providing$ proven$ outcomes$ in$ reducing$poverty$rates$in$the$communities$they$serve.$ See$Addendum,$Exhibit$A$Data$Summary.

$ CONCLUSION Mentoring$Young$Adults,$led$by$Founder$and$Executive$Director$Dora$Jones,$invested$ten$years$of$service$ to$ the$ extreme$ poverty$ concentrated$ areas$ of$ Ramsey,$ Dakota,$ Washington$ and$ Hennepin$ counties$ in$ the$State$of$Minnesota,$providing$youth$mentoring,$housing$and$jobs.$$There$is$enough$research,$data$ and$ historical$ accounts$ of$ systemic$ disparities$ to$ conclude$ that$ the$ level$ of$ inequality$ in$ the$ State$ has$ reached$unacceptable$proportion.$$The$research$also$provides$data$that$proves$ inequality$has$reached$ levels$ harmful$ to$ the$ entire$ population$ in$ the$ State$ of$ Minnesota.$ $ The$ levels$ of$ extreme$ poverty$ and$ inequality$are$so$harmful$to$the$health$of$the$community,$that$new$threats$such$as$the$increase$in$opiate$ and$prescription$drug$overdose,$lack$of$affordable$housing$and$gentrification,$will$continue$to$result$in$ an$increase$in$poverty$causing$homelessness,$unemployment$and$youth$involved$in$the$criminal$justice$ system,$affecting$communities$of$color$in$greater$proportion.$$ The$ data$ supports$ sustainable$ impact$ of$ services$ provided$ by$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults$ in$ the$ communities$it$serves.$$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ Part$ 1,$ introduced$ the$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ Plan$ V1,$ that$ focused$ on$ organizing$ grassroots$ community$ discussion$ forums$ around$ the$ impact$ study.$ $ These$ forums$ generated$ attention$ from$local$community$leaders,$policy$makers,$clergy,$educators,$civil$and$human$rights$activists$and$the$ population.$ $ Disrupting$ Poverty$ Part$ 2,$ focused$ on$ the$ impact$ and$ outcomes$ of$ the$ organizational$ recommendations$ from$ Part$ 1$ and$ deepened$ the$ communities’$ engagement$ in$ discussion,$ self? development$ and$ actionable$ items$ that$ were$ realistic$ and$ measureable.$ $ The$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ Plan$ was$ further$ developed$ based$ these$ meetings$ which$ resulted$ in$ an$ enhanced$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ Plan$ renamed$“Disrupting$Plan$V2:$Continuum$of$Social$Services$Care$Community$Network$(CSSCCN)”,$which$ focused$on$youth$and$family$in$an$empowered$community?centric$network$that$provides$a$continuum$of$ social$services$care.$CSSCCN!serves$impoverished$communities$as$shown$in$Exhibit$I.$ $ 66

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 No!duplication!of!the!households!were!found!during!a!threedyear!period!!(2012d2015).

MYA$ Executive$ Director$ Dora$ Jones$ explained$ that$ there$ are$ regulations$ and$ requirements$ that$ prevented$abuse$of$the$financial$support$system.$$The$F.R.$Bigelow$“Community$Sharing$Fund”$prevents$ families$from$applying$multiple$times$for$support$of$housing,$which$includes$utility$payments.$Ten$years$ ago,$Dora$knew$that$the$success$of$her$education$programs$had$to$focus$on$tough$love$and$education$on$ helping$families$find$resources$to$climb$themselves$out$of$poverty.$$$Dora$placed$high$value$on$educating$ families$to$stop$relying$on$a$welfare$system$that$gives$you$just$enough$to$keep$you$in$poverty.$$Dora’s$ goal$was$to$get$the$families$stabilized$in$housing$and$jobs$by$starting$family$group$counseling$and$tenant$ training$classes.$ MYA&client&seeking&housing&are&required&to&complete&a&tenant&training&class.&&Women’s&and&Men’s&group& classes&are&required&in&order&to&receive&assistance&from&MYA. See$Addendum,$Exhibit$A.

Disrupting$Poverty,$One$Youth$At$A$Time

67

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 APPENDIX,!PART!2 MYA!Disruption!Poverty!Plan!V2 In$Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$II,$we$introduce$an$enhanced$Poverty$Disruption$Plan,$renamed$“Disrupting$ Poverty$II:$Continuum$of$Social$Services$Care$Community$Network”.$$$The$model$is$developed$to$work$$in$ collaboration$with$the$healthcare$industry’s$Triple$AIM$Continuum$of$Care$as$a$preventative$health$care$ delivery$system$for$youth$and$family$who$are$are$living$in$poverty,$homeless,$unemployed$and$youth$in$ the$criminal$justice$system.$This$program$will$refer$clients$who$require$acute$or$specialty$healthcare$to$ its$health$partners$alliances.$

$ $ $ 68

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 “Disrupting$Poverty$II:$Continuum$of$Social$Services$Care$Community$Network”$ Inside!Continuum:$ Social$services$agencies$collaborate$to$provide$the$critical$needs$services$such.$$Currently$MYA$partners$ with$ Ujaama$ Place,$ Union$ Gospel$ Mission,$ Dorothy$ Day$ Center,$ YouthPrise,$ Everybody's$ In,$ St.$ Paul$ Public$Schools,$Ramsey$County$Police$Department,$local$churches$and$community$landlords$and$$leaders$ to$provide$resources$for$the$poor$and$disenfranchised$members$of$the$community.

Outside!Continuum:

MYA$understands$that$many$of$the$needs$are$beyond$Dora$Jones’$small,$understaffed$and$underfunded$ organization.$ $ To$ overcome$ these$ challenges,$ partnerships$ with$ healthcare$ providers$ are$ critical.$$ Without$this$alliance,$MYA$services$are$not$sustainable$over$time$and$result$in$repeated$chronic$bouts$of$ homelessness$ and$ unemployed$ in$ the$ family,$ triggering$ a$ negative$ effect$ on$ youth,$ many$ of$ which$ resulting$in$criminal$justice$system$involved.

SelfdCare!Continuum: MYA$success$rate$is$based$on$the$basic$needs$of$providing$housing,$jobs$and$mentoring$youth.$$These$ basic$needs$met$support$youth$and$families$on$the$road$to$recovery$and$exiting$poverty.$$The$continued$ self?care$network$is$critical$in$providing$a$network$of$resources$that$you$always$have$access$to.$$It$is$a$ system$ that$ foster$ independence$ and$ growth$ by$ maintaining$ access$ to$ youth$ and$ family$ organizations$ and$ community$ groups$ that$ helps$ to$ navigate$ life.$ Further,$ MYA$ organically$ developed$ a$ network$ of$ volunteers$ based$ on$ their$ graduation$ out$ of$ poverty,$ by$ returning$ to$ MYA$ to$ support$ its$ work$ and$ helping$others.$$ CURA$ and$ MYA$ developed$ the$ Four$ Phases$ of$ Poverty$ Community$ Forums$ to$ launch$ it$ Disrupting$ Poverty$ Action$ Plan$ II$ Focus$ centers$ on$ empowering$ community?based$ agencies$ in$ providing$ direct$ services$to$the$population$it$serves$who$are$in$need$of$housing,$jobs$and$youth$and$families$involved$in$ the$ criminal$ justice$ system.$ Research$ shows$ that$ well?run$ community$ social$ services$ agencies$ have$ a$ higher$rate$of$success$due$to$more$efficient$intake$processes,$leadership,$belief$and$resources,$due$to$it$ connection$to$the$community$it$serves.$ Using$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults,$ the$ CSSCCN! would$ serve$ impoverished$ communities$ with$ youth$ and$ family$at$its$core$of$the$continuum$care$community$network.$ The$ concept$ centers$ around$ the$ idea$ that$ “it$ takes$ a$ community$ to$ disrupt$ poverty”,$ starting$ with$ a$ strategic$ plan$ created$ by$ the$ stakeholders$ of$ the$ community.$ Mentoring$ Young$ Adults’$ Disrupting$ Poverty$Action$starts$with$community$forums$named$“Four$Phases$of$Development”,$to$openly$discuss$ and$ educate$ the$ public$ on$ the$ root$ cause$ of$ poverty$ and$ provide$ solutions$ designed$ as$ a$ 360$ development$plan$for$MYA$youth$and$families.$

!

69

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 ADDENDUM EXHIBIT$A:$MENTORING&YOUNG&ADULTS&CASE&MANAGEMENT&DATA&SUMMARY& MYA!CASE!DATA 2015 Total& 643 Applications Top&Cities&Served& St.&Paul:&85%& by&MYA&(%&of& Minneapolis:&5%& applicants) Other:&10% Hot&Zip&Codes& served&by&MYA& 55103,&55104,& (25%R75%& 55106 quartiles)

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

437

173

169

95

99

St.&Paul:&88%& Minneapolis:&4%& Other:&8%

St.&Paul:&82%& St.&Paul:&81.3%& St.&Paul:&81%& Minneapolis:&6%& Minneapolis:&6%& Minneapolis:&6%& Other:&12% Other:&12.7% Other:&13%

55103,&55106,& 55117

55104,&55106,& 55117

55103,&55106,& 55117

55104,&55106,& 55117

St.&Paul:&84%& Ramsey:&6%& Other:&10% 55104,&55106,& 55116

14R72&Median:& 14R64&Median:& 12R71&Median:&24 24 24 Male:&32%& Male:&27%& Male:&32%& Male:&35%& Male:&29%& Male:&33%& Gender Female:&68% Female:&73% Female:&68% Female:&65% Female:&71% Female:&67% Did&not&grad.:&7%& Did&not&grad.:&20%& Did&not&grad.:&18%& Did&not&grad.:& Did&not&grad.:& H/S&Grad:&41%& H/S&Grad:&46%& H/S&Grad:&47%& 26%&H/S&Grad:& Did&not&grad.:& 6%&H/S&Grad:& GED:&28%,&Some& GED:&11%,&Some& Some&College:&3%& 54%&GED:&5%& 11%&H/S&Grad:& Education 68%&GED:&16%& College:&23%& College:&22%& College&Degree:4%& Some&College:& 79%&GED:&8%& Some&College:& College& College& Other:&28%&no& 6%&College:&1%& Some&College:&2% 10% Degree:1% Degree:1% response Other:&8% AA:&92%&Hispanic:& AA:&91%&White:& AA:&93%&&&&&& AA:&93%&&&&&&&&&& AA:&89%&&&&&&&& 2%&Asian:&1%&&&&& 2%&Asian:&2%& White:&5%& AA:&90%&&Mixed& Race White:&5%&&&&&& White:&6%&Mixed& Native:&1%&MIxed:& Native:&1%&Mix:& Native:&1%&&&&& Race:&10% Native:&2% Race:&5% 2%&&&Other:&2% 3%&Hispanic:&1% Other:&1% 211,&Lutheran& Project&Hope& 211,&United&Way,& 211,&YMCA,& 211,&Ramsey& Social&Services,& Ramsey&County& Catholic& Ramsey&County,& County,&Tubman,& Philanthropy& Referring& 211&United&Way& Charities,& Brotherhood& Data&not& Community& Partners,&WIC,& Agencies WalkRIn&Reverend& Housing&Link,& Community& available.

Stabilization& Wilder& Patterson& Community& Sharing&Fund,& Project Foundation,& Stranger Corrections Youth&Jobs&Corp.

United&Way at&least&1&child&(*1& Children at&lease&1&child at&least&1&child at&least&1&child at&least&1&child at&least&1&child app&0&child)

Age&Demo 12R52&Median:&18 12R68&Median:&26 12R62&Median:&29

Employment

Yes:&38%&&&&&&&&&&&&& No:&62%

Yes:&45%&&&&&&&&&&&&&& No:&55%

Yes:&47%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&47%&&&&&&&&&&& No:&53% No:&53%

Yes:&47%&&&&&&&&&&&& No:&53%

Yes:&24%&&&&&&&&& No:&76%

1.&Housing&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&1.&Housing&&&&&&&&&&&& 1.&Housing&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 1.&Housing&&&&&&&&&&&& 1.&Housing&&&&&&&&&&&&&&1.&Housing&&&&&&& Services& 2.&Employment&&&&&&&&&&& 2.&Employment&&&&&& 2.&Employment&&&&&&& 2.&Employment&& 2.&Employment&& 2.&Employment& Requested 3.&Education 3.&Education 3.&Education 3.&Education 3.&Education 3.&Education Yes:&26%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&18%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&23%&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&20%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&23%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&25%&&&&&&&&&&& Felonies No:&74% No:&82% No:&77% No:&80% No:&77% No:&75% Yes:&26%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&20%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&24%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Data&not& Yes:&25%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&Data&not& Disabilities No:&74% No:&80% No:&76% available.

No:&75% available.

Yes:&51%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&31%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&86%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&86%&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&67%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Yes:&100%&&&&&&&&&&& Homeless No:&49% No:&69% No:&14% No:&14% No:&33% No:&0%

70

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

MYA!CASE! DATA WalkAIn!Logs Total!

Applications %!Change

2015!ESTIMATE

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010 99

1603 643

437

173

169

95

47%

152%

2%

11%

A4%

Exhibit$B:$US$Census$SAIPE$Poverty$Rate$(All$Ages)$2013

Source:$US$Census$Small$Area$Income$and$Poverty$Estimates$(SAIPE)$Poverty$Rates According& to& the& 2013& countyRlevel& poverty& data& from& the& US& Census& American& Community& Survey& showed& the& following& poverty& rates,& benchmarked& against& the& national& poverty& rate& of& 15.8%:& Ramsey& County& had& a& poverty& rate& of& 16.9,& 1.1%& higher& than& the& national& average.& Hennepin& County& had& a& poverty&rate&of&12.8%,&3%&below&the&national&average.&Dakota&County&had&a&poverty&rate&of&7.6%,&8.2%& below&the&national&average.&Washington&County&had&a&poverty&rate&of&5.7%,&10.1%&below&the&national& average.

71

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 $ EXHIBIT$C:$CHILD$POVERTY$GRAPH$(Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$1) The$US$shows$the$first$annual$decline$in$child$poverty$since$2000,$falling$from$21.8%$in$2012$to$19.9%$in$ 2013.$$The$release$reads,$“For&the&second&year&in&a&row,&there&was&an&increase&in&the&median&income&of& families&with&children.�$Source:$Trudi$Renwick,$Chief,$Poverty$Statistics$Branch,$U.S.$Census$Bureau

72

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

EXHIBIT$D:$MINNESOTA$TOP$10$POVERTY$COUNTIES$(PART$1) On$January$15,$2015,$The$Star$Tribune$published$the$list$of$top$10$highest$poverty$counties$in$the$State$of$ Minnesota.$The$American$Community$Survey$$2013,$5?year$estimates,$$revealed$Ramsey$County$as$the$5th$poorest$ county$in$Minnesota.$Source:$http://www.startribune.com/poverty?by?county?in?minnesota?2013/289964281/

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 73

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 $ $ $ EXHIBIT$E:$2014$POVERTY$GUIDELINES$FOR$THE$48$CONTIGUOUS$STATES$AND$THE$DISTRICT$OF$ COLUMBIA

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 74

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 $ EXHIBIT$F:$$Unemployment$Rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$ Unemployment$Rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$was$last$reported$at$3.50$%$in$April$of$2015,$according$to$ the$United$States$Federal$Reserve.$Unemployment$Rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$averaged$4.2862$%$since$ its$ inception$ reaching$ a$ record$ high$ of$ 8.7000$ %$ and$ a$ record$ low$ of$ 1.7000$ %.source:$ tradingeconomics.com

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 75

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 $ $ $ EXHIBIT$G:$MYA$BOARD$OF$DIRECTORS ROBERT J. BROWN, CHAIRMAN NATE JOHNSON, LAW, PLLC, VICE CHAIR KEVIN GAFFNEY, TEMPORARY SECRETARY REV. MARK DAWKINS, METRO TRANSIT DRIVER, BOARD MEMBER ADAM COLBERG, STATE OF MN DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES, BOARD MEMBER

KEITH HARDY, FORMER SSPS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

EXHIBIT$H:$MYA$FUNDERS$/$SUPPORTERS

Youthprise!Foundation!

Otto!Bremer!Foundation!

Best!Buy!Foundation!

The!Saint!Paul!Foundation!

Pan!African!Endowement!Fund!

University!of!Minnesota!Center!for!Urban! and!Regional!Affairs!(CURA)!

Ramsey!County!Housing!Assistance!FHPAP! Ramsey!County!Attorney! !

Saint!Paul!Public!Schools!

Education!Minnesota!

SPFT!St.!Paul!Federation!of!Teachers!Union!

The!Saint!Paul!Foundation!(CSF)!

F.!R.!Bigelow!Foundation!

CAP!Community!Action!Program!

St.!Paul!Promise!Neighborhood!

St.!Paul!Police!Department!

InterdDenominational!Ministerial!Alliance!

!

76

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 ! ! !

References,!Part!I Guthrie,$Janet$M.$(Jan.$2014)$Cultivating&Economic&Prosperity.&Combating&Concentrated&Areas&of&Poverty.(p.$24?32).$ http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/3DB46F68?51B1?4533?99C2?

A4B5969DA69D/41202/ProsperityPovertyPPT114MFIP1.pdf Jargowsky,$Paul$A.,$(2013).Concentration$of$Poverty$in$the$New$Millennium http://www.tcf.org/assets/downloads/Concentration_of_Poverty_in_the_New_Millennium.pdf US$Census$Bureau$Data$Small$Area$Income$and$Poverty$Estimates$(SAIPE) http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/data/interactive/saipe.html?s_appName=saipe&map_yearSelector=2013 &map_geoSelector=aa_c&s_state=&s_county=27037,27053,27163,27123&menu=grid_proxy Belz,$Adam$(Jan.$2015).$Star&Tribune&Poverty&by&county&in&Minnesota,&2013.$http://www.startribune.com/poverty? by?county?in?minnesota?2013/289964281/ Clay,$John$(Feb.$2015).$Minnesota$Department$of$Employment$&$Economic$Development,$Minnesota&Cost&of&Living& Study,&Report&to&the&Legislature&as&required&by&116J.013$(p.16?19)$ http://mn.gov/deed/images/Cost_of_Living_Study_Annual_Report.pdf Minnesota$Department$of$Employment$and$Economic$Development$(DEED),$Cost$of$Living$in$Minnesota$Data$Tool$ http://mn.gov/deed/data/data?tools/col/index.jsp Minnesota$Department$of$Employment$and$Economic$Development$(DEED),$Regional$Labor$Market$Information$ https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/rws/Results.aspx US$Census$Bureau$Saipe$State$County$2013 http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/methods/statecounty/20102013state.html Wilder$Research$(Sept.$2013).$Statewide$Homeless$Study,$http://www.wilder.org/Wilder?

Research/Publications/Studies/Homelessness%20in%20Minnesota%202012%20Study/Homelessness%20in%20Mi nnesota%20?%20Findings%20from%20the%202012%20Statewide%20Homeless%20Study.pdf US$Department$of$Health$and$Human$Services,$Office$of$the$Assistant$Secretary$for$Planning$and$Evaluation,$(U.S.$ Federal$Poverty$Guidelines$Used$to$Determine$Financial$Eligibility$for$Certain$Federal$Programs)$ http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm

77

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Tran,$Jennifer$&$Treuhaft,$Sarah$(2014).$Minnesota’s$Tomorrow:$Equity$Is$The$Superior$Growth$Model,$ p.$13,$http://www.policylink.org/find?resources/library/minnesotas?tomorrow?equity?is?the?superior? growth?model Unemployment$Rate$in$Ramsey$County,$MN$?$United$States$ http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united?states/unemployment?rate?in?ramsey?county?mn?percent?m?nsa?fed? data.html$ Heading$Home$Minnesota,$a$statewide$initiative$to$end$homelessness.$http://www.wilder.org/Wilder?

Research/Research?Areas/Homelessness/Pages/statewide?homeless?study?most?recent?results.aspx$ $

$

$Hurley$Swayze,$D.,$&$Buskovick,$D.$(2015).$Youth$in$Minnesota$Correctional$Facilities$and$Adverse$Childhood$ Experiences:$Responses$to$the$2013$Minnesota$Student$Survey.$Minnesota$Department$of$Public$Safety$Office$of$ Justice$Programs$https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms?documents/Documents/2013%20CKR_ACES_FINAL.pdf$ $ Alexander,$Gerald$(2007).The$Nonprofit$Industrial$Complex.$Is$There$Such$A$Thing$As$Too$Much$Civil$Society?$ http://www.aei.org/publication/the?nonprofit?industrial?complex/$ $ References,!Part!II$ Guthrie,$Janet$M.$(Jan.$2014)$Cultivating&Economic&Prosperity.&Combating&Concentrated&Areas&of&Poverty.(p.$24?

32).$http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/3DB46F68?51B1?4533?99C2?$ A4B5969DA69D/41202/ProsperityPovertyPPT114MFIP1.pdf$$ Jargowsky,$Paul$A.,$(2013).$Concentration$of$Poverty$in$the$New$Millennium$$ Clay,$John$(Feb.$2015).$Minnesota$Department$of$Employment$&$Economic$Development,$Minnesota&&&&Cost&of& Living&Study,&Report&to&the&Legislature&as&required&by&116J.013&(p.16?19)$ http://mn.gov/deed/images/Cost_of_Living_Study_Annual_Report.pdf$$ Minnesota$Department$of$Employment$and$Economic$Development$(DEED),$Cost$of$Living$in$$ Minnesota$Data$Tool$http://mn.gov/deed/data/data?tools/col/index.jsp$$ Wilder$Research$(Sept.$2013).$Statewide$Homeless$Study,$http://www.wilder.org/Wilder?$ Research/Publications/Studies/Homelessness%20in%20Minnesota%202012%20Study/Homeless$ ness%20in%20Minnesota%20?$%20Findings%20from%20the%202012%20Statewide%20Homeless%20Study.pdf$ SalesForce$CRM$for$Non?Profits$ Family$Homeless$Prevention$and$Assistance$Program$(FHPAP),$ http://www.mnhousing.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/document/mhfa_006126.pdf$ Extreme$Poverty$on$the$Rise$int$he$United$States$(May$2013),$http://nlihc.org/article/extreme?poverty?rise?united? states$ How$The$Epidemic$of$Drug$Overdoes$Ripples$Across$America$(Jan.$2016)$ http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/07/us/drug?overdose?deaths?in?the?us.html?smid=fb? share&_r=0$ $

78

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2 Overdose$Deaths$Among$Homeless$Persons$(Jan.$2013)$$ https://www.drugabuse.gov/about?nida/directors?page/messages?director/2013/01/overdose?deaths?among? homeless?persons$ $ Impact$Study$Interview$Links$ $ Client$Impact$Stories$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/media/client?impact?stories/$ $ Audio:$Interview$with$Dora$Jones,$MYA’s$Founder$&$Executive$Director$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/media/audio?interview?with?dora?jones?myas?founder?executive?director/$ $ Audio:$Arbadella$Williams,$St.$Paul$Foundation$Interview$Tenant$Landlord$Summit$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/audio?arbadella?williams?st?paul?foundation?interview/$ $ Audio:$Richard$McLemore,$II$Interview,$Ujamaa$Place$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/richard?mclemore?ii?interview?ujamaa?place/$ $ Audio$|$Jerry$Timian,$Saint$Paul$Foundation$Interview$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/audio?jerry?timian?saint?paul?foundation/$ $ Audio:$Arbadella$Williams,$St.$Paul$Foundation$|$MYA$Affordable$Housing$Impact$I$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/arbadella?williams?st?paul?foundation?mya?affordable?housing?impact? interview/$ $ Video$|$Lorraine$Hart,$MN$Women’s$Consortium’s$Finance$Director$$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/video/$ $ Video:$Ray$Womack,$MYA$Men’s$Group$Facilitator$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/video?ray?womack?mya?mens?group?facilitator/$ $ Disrupting$Poverty,$Part$II,$audio$of$Dora$Jones,$Executive$Director$of$MYA,$telling$her$story$of$10$years$of$service$ to$the$community$and$shares$her$vision$for$the$next$10$years.$$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/media/audio?mya?10?years?of?service/$

Audio:$The$Terri$Story$|$Client$Impact$ http://saintpaulmya.org/about?2/media/audio?client?impact?story?the?terri?story/ $

79

Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

80