News

Income Growth Initiative

In News by Sandra

Jeffrey Ramos, Hope Jackson, Juan Cabrera

From left to right: Jeffrey Ramos, Hope Jackson, and Juan Cabrera

The Bridge Fund’s proven homelessness prevention efforts were expanded to address the need for growth in income, especially for clients that are severely rent burdened, often needing to use more than 40% of the modest incomes to meet their housing obligations. Formally launched by The Bridge Fund of New York City in 2020, the Income Growth Initiative has successfully helped more than 650 clients in several ways:

Education

Using assessment tools, CUNY career maps, and other resources, staff member Hope Jackson helps clients better understand what skills, aptitudes, and investments of time and resources are needed to achieve their educational and professional goals.

Strategic Budgeting & Soft Skills Training

All clients are helped to better manage their money, update their resumes, and improve their interviewing skills. Jeffrey Ramos conducts online workshops that cover these and other topics. He is training Juan Cabrera of the Westchester team to do the same.

Expert Referrals

Clients are referred to quality vocational training programs and community colleges. Fields of study include human services, security, education, accounting, and office computing. In turn, the program receives referrals from various sources, including community colleges that seek our help to prevent their working poor students from losing their housing and dropping out of school.

Modest Support, Where Needed

Severely rent-burdened clients may receive modest grants for required books, uniforms, and exam fees. A small number are given short-term rent subsidies.

Encouragement and Empowerment

Clients are monitored and encouraged to stay the course. As a group, clients from 2023 increased their incomes by $300 per month, a positive first step, and most credited the Income Growth Initiative for their improved circumstances and outlooks.

In 2024, clients of The Bridge Fund of Westchester will benefit from this program, too.