Photo Credit: Michael Elliot

Tax Deductible PISB- 501c3

History, Mission, Activities

     

Project Impact South Bend, Inc. delivers training, counseling and education services to assist women and men having scared past and ex-offenders, transition from incarceration to free-society and/or a life of sobriety. Through its services, the organization improves its clients' abilities to obtain meaningful employment in their lives is an inexpensive and effective method of reducing criminal recidivism. Standard service transactions include job-preparation, job-placement, and job-retention assistance and address the most prominent barriers to employment such as relationship building, attitude, substance abuse and illiteracy.

For more than 20 years Pastor Hardie and Perl Blake have provided services and support to change the lives of over one hundred families in the South Bend Community. In 2006 Project Impact USA asked them to open an affiliate chapter incorporating their highly regarded "Men and Women of Scars" program into the youth programs Project Impact USA provided. Through the Men of Scars and Sons and Daughters of Destiny programs Project Impact - South Bend, Inc. Provides powerful, proven programs that teach economic empowerment, personal accountability and effective communication enriching families in a holistic, faith-based way.

A collaborative approach to success is at the heart of Project Impact - South Bend's success. Many job readiness programs are designed to help individuals who have overcome the self debilitating challenges that have been obstacles to success. Project Impact's program is focused on individuals who have consistently failed to gain or maintain employment and have not been successful utilizing other employment services. These problems may stem from past incarceration, addiction or other issues. In addition to building trust, teaching life skills and job readiness and providing on the job training experiences, Project Impact refers participants to other programs in the community that specialize in providing support in areas not covered by our program. The combination of trust developed and the self improvement mindset our program engenders encourages participants to take advantage of programs they otherwise would not utilize.

Our approach is simple, but powerful. We identify those who are in most need of spiritual and economic transformation, those who continuously fall through the cracks and as a result put the greatest burden on the community. Of those interested we offer a one-day economic boot-camp for interested participants.

The boot-camp provides:

1. An introduction to Blakeonomics,

2. An assessment of participants interest and willingness to commit and participate in the program.

3. Explanation and meaning of participation.

4. We discuss the benefits of shareholder ownership.

5. Explanation of the application process and orientation to Blakeonomics.

6. We identify those who truly want to change their circumstances, and explain our willingness to work with them to do just that.

 We agree to introduce earnest participants with:

1. Life skills training

2. Job readiness training

3. Community Economics Understanding

4. Spiritual orientation

5. Introduction to vocational skills and GED classes as required

6. Assistance and connection to employment

7. Opportunity to become shareholder/owner in Impact Economic Enterprises Corp (IEEC)

Proposed Use of the Building

Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment Center:

If granted to Project Impact South Bend, Inc, the property at 2806 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN would be used to house the Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment Center. It is here that the entrepreneurship and individual development workshops would be conducted. Collaborative initiatives such as the Business Advisory Council in conjunction with Goodwill Industries; the Dignity and Respect Campaign in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; the Common Unity Center training in conjunction with SCORE and the Michiana African American Chamber of Commerce and other programs would be directed from this location.

An inspirational boon to the community, the Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment Center being housed in what was formally a branch of Key Bank would send a message of hope and commitment to program participants. While the innovative program approaches such as Blakenomics, Fourth Generation Marketing and the Success Continuum provide new solutions for this underserved community, the direct and implied association with Key Bank sends a clear and powerful message that we believe in all of the people of our community, have great hope for our future and are determined to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Because Project Impact South Bend ministers to the entire community, the individual, the family, friends and neighbors, ending violence is integral to our efforts. Our collaboration with law enforcement, ministers and community organizations focused on reducing violence in our communities is well known. The Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment Center will serve as meeting place for these community partners to come together, strategize and connect our safety with our economic success.

Demographics

The community in the 46628 zip code where the Project Impact Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment Center will be located has a total population of 26,726 people. Roughly 17,000 are White, 8,000 are Black and 1,200 are Hispanic or Latino. There are 10,455 households with an average size of 2.54. There are 7,000 families with an average size of 3.08 per family.

The average household income is $39,000 with 13.3% below the poverty line. 4.9% of the population have less than a 9^th grade education; 15.8% have 9^th – 12^th grade education but have not graduated; 35.6% are high school graduates; 20.6% have some college; 4.8% have an associate degree; 11.8% have a bachelors degree; 6.6% have some graduate or professional education.

 

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