Hope for Stable Families

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: HOPE for Stable Families

Empowering parents and children in central Iowa through a 2Gen approach, HOPE helps families set goals, overcome barriers, and achieve long-term financial stability.

HOPE for Stable Families helps central Iowa families achieve long-term financial stability by offering simultaneous support to both parents and children, using a 2Gen approach. Relaunched in 2018 with a Siemer Institute grant, the initiative addresses the interconnected barriers families face, aiming to break the cycle of poverty and foster success for future generations.

What Is HOPE for Stable Families?

United Way is working with HOME Inc., Oakridge Neighborhood, and Hawthorn Hill to provide case management and support to 55 families each year. Several partners are helping families meet needs around job training, child care, transportation, legal services, dental services, and more, that can be barriers to financial stability.

Half of the families enrolled in HOPE for Stable Families are facing homelessness, while the remaining are moving out of crisis and toward financial stability, with the potential for home ownership. Case managers especially focus on ensuring children remain at their current school and have support.

Why is HOPE for Stable Families needed?

One-third of central Iowans do not earn enough to cover basic household expenses and save. HOPE especially works with low-income families who need long-term stable housing. Des Moines has 13,789 extremely low-income households but only 6,224 affordable units. During the 2015-2016 school year, Des Moines Public Schools reported 920 homeless youth at its schools and that about 30 percent of its students moved to a different school during the year.

HOPE for Stable Families works with families to set goals with a focus on keeping children at their current school and families secure long-term stable housing. It's approach is unique in that it works with families across generations to provide support that addresses many barriers to moving toward financial stability.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: HOPE for Stable Families

What Is HOPE for Stable Families?

Why is HOPE for Stable Families needed?

HOPE for Stable Families Results

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