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Applied in 2007

Women of Empowerment (WOE)

Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc.

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 5
  • Program Participants Last Year: 103
  • Meets about 4 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 12 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 23

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Ensures that arrangements with outside fund raising firms are made in writing.
  • Receives information about the financial arrangements with such firms and, if applicable, the anticipated portion of the gross proceeds that goes to the organization.
  • Has formally approved a conflict of interest policy and regularly monitors it to ensure adherence.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.
  • Convenes an audit committee.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
Improved health for single mothers and their children

Measure
SHORT-TERM

1) Parents increase knowledge and resources to care for the needs of children during the prenatal period and early childhood. In addition, health improves through healthy activities for parents, such as aerobics and walking.

2) Children's health improve through parents' improved health and capacity for good parenting.

LONG-TERM:

Decrease in:

1) teen pregnancies

2) second unwed pregnancies

3) obesity

4) infant mortality (at 14.2 deaths per 1,000 births, Memphis has the worst infant mortality rate in the U.S.)

Increase in:

1) prenatal care

2) immunizations

Outcome 2
Improved stability of underserved families

Measure
SHORT-TERM:

1) Single mothers increase stability due to practical and spiritual help as well as through participation in the program and hopefully, a supportive church.

2) Stability increases in the lives of young children, as their parents' lives become more stable.

LONG-TERM:

Decrease in:

1) number of children removed from the home

2) transience

Increase in:

1) number of two-parent households

2) % of households with earned income

3) participation in NCC programs

4) regular church attendance

Outcome 3
Improved educational attainment for single mothers and their children

Measure
SHORT-TERM:

1) Adults earn a GED or college degree through local institutions.

2) Adults increase job readiness through gaining marketable computer and other job skills.

3) Children's school readiness improves by age six.

LONG-TERM:

Increase in :

1) % of adult population having a high school diploma/GED and enrolled in post secondary education and earning degrees

2) Healthy early child development for 0-5 year olds

Change Process: (self-reported)

First, participants learn and dialogue about the systemic issues that have caused them to become "stuck" in unhealthy lifestyes. Next, they learn to personally evaluate themselves and set goals for the changes they want to make. Finally, they are guided by staff, volunteers and past participants to achieve their goals. This past year, 20 returned to school, 1 earned a GED, 15 found employment, 1 purchased a home, and 7 moved from subsidized housing to rental properties. Our focus on the children ages 0-5 of participatns is a new one, beginning in 2006. However, in the past year, we have already seen the positive effects made on young children as their mothers make changes in their own lives. For example, through prenatal care and training, none of the babies born to women in the last year have become seriously ill or died, and immunization rates have risen well above that of comparison zip codes. In fact, our participants are well above comparison statistics in almost every outcome area, and are bringing up their children with them!