Center for Working Families

Hard work alone is often not enough to escape poverty. We must create a path for families that can lead to a wage-sustaining job, higher income and greater financial security.

The Center for Working Families is a program that bundles financial, employment and income services at 12 community centers in Marion and Morgan counties. The goal is to increase an individual's net income, net worth, and credit score while helping them access public benefits and job placement assistance.

Each Center for Working Families site matches participants with individual coaches in three areas:

connecting participants to qualified benefits, such as nutritional assistane, utility assistance, and health insurance.

including résumé writing and critique, job search assistance, job application and interview support, and in-demand skills training.

empowering participants to make responsible net worth-building decisions through budgeting, career planning, acquiring and improving credit scores, loan and banking information, and asset management.

Data collected over the last five years proves Center for Working Families sites are making a measurable difference.

  • 3,598 individuals gained employment

  • 22% of individuals saw an increase in hourly wages, with an average increase of more than $4 an hour

  • Average hourly wage for current placements is $13.77

  • 14% of individuals saw a monthly income increase, with an average increase of more than $1130.

  • 27% of individuals increased their credit scores