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Economic Self-Sufficiency
Economic Self-Sufficiency
The region’s economic decline and shrinking job market over the past half-century have made it increasingly difficult for many residents to find jobs that allow them to be self-sufficient. As a result, the city has experienced increased poverty -- 26.9% in 2005.
Our efforts to combat this substantial rise in poverty will focus on enabling Buffalo Niagara area residents—particularly low-income residents and those with less education—to acquire jobs that allow them to support themselves and their families.
Our overall goal is to increase the self-sufficiency of low-income, under-employed and unemployed residents by:
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Evaluating existing job training programs and/or identifying new approaches that demonstrate potential
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Supporting effective local job training programs aligned with opportunities in emerging industries
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Promoting the use of the Self-Sufficiency Standard (SSS) among nonprofits, funders and public agencies
The Foundation also plans to increase the asset base of low-income residents by supporting asset-building programs such as tax preparation sites, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for savings and micro enterprise efforts.
Increasing adult literacy rates is key to building self-sufficiency. We will affect change in this area by supporting:
- Delivery of quality literacy services to low-wage workers and job seekers
- Employment and literacy programs for non English speaking populations
- Programs related to workplace literacy and employment opportunities
- Evidence-based financial literacy programs
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