1. Mission Statement
Bridging the gap to stability through thriving partnerships,
coaching and education.
The Promise of Community Action
Community action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope,
improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care
about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help
themselves and each other.

2.  Missy Woods
 Born and raised in Jackson County
 I am married to Marc Woods. Small business
owner in Seymour for 16 years.
 We have 2 boys. Matthew currently attends IU,
Bloomington, and Lawson is an 8th grader at
Immanuel.
 I have worked for Human Services, Inc. for over 7
years and am currently serve as Lead County
Director for our 5 county region.

3.  The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded block
grant offered through the US Department of
Health and Human Services.
 Purpose is to assist low-income households off
set the high costs of home energy.
 Participants must not exceed 150% of the
Federal Income Poverty Guidelines.
 In 2015, we assisted 678 households with
heat/electric utility.

4.  A product of the Section 8 movement that began in
1937.
 The purpose is to provide rental assistance to eligible
families.
 To be eligible the applicant must:
› qualify as a family as defined by HUD
› have income at or below HUD specified eligibility
guidelines
› qualify on the basis of citizenship or the eligible
immigrant status of family members.
› provide social security number information for all
eligible members
› consent to collection and use of all family information
as provided for in completed consent forms.

5.  Provides residential energy conservation services to low
income citizens of Indiana.
 A thorough evaluation of the structure, including the
safe and efficient operation of the furnace and water
heater, is included in the treatment of each home
 If you receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to
Families with Dependent Children, you are
automatically eligible to receive weatherization services.
 Low-income persons that can be particularly vulnerable:
Elderly
Disabled
Families with children
High energy users
High energy household
burdens

6.  The Head Start program provides comprehensive
services to enrolled children and their families.
 Include health, nutrition, social, and other
services.
 Work together as a team to ensure children are
school ready.
 Two third’s (2/3) of children’s daily meals are
provided.
 There are approximately 52 children currently
enrolled in Jackson County.

7.  Assist in starting a small business or assisting
the expansion of an existing business.
 Goal is job creation, specifically among low-
income entrepreneurs.
 $7,500 loan limit for new business; $20,000 for
expansion.
 Program requirement include financial
information, mentoring, sufficient collateral and
a business plan.

8. Rapid Re-Housing and Prevention Program
 Must have a verifiable homelessness situation, a
place not meant for habitation or be in imminent risk a
of verifiable homelessness situation, been notified of
attempt to evict.
 Referrals are made to the program through a case
manager and partner agencies.
 Individuals must participate in intensive case
management and work toward their short and long
term goals.
 In 2015 this program served approximately 60
households.

9.  The Salvation Army Service Extension
o Hidden Falls Youth Summer Camp
o Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
o Christmas Angel Assistance
o School Assistance
o Disaster Assistance
o Crisis Assistance
o League of Mercy
 Computer Station
 CSBG – Medical/Dental/ Vision Assistance
 Goodwill Clothing Vouchers
 Week-End Food Program for Youth
 Summer Lunch Program for Youth
 Information and Referral

10.  Participant choice pantry
 Food and monetary donation are accepted locally in
an effort to continue to meet the needs of the
hungry in Jackson County
 Partner with Gleaners and Midwest Food Bank in
Indianapolis
 The Emergency Food Assistance Program Outlet
(TEFAP)
 The pantry served 1,744 families in 2015
› Hours of Operation : Wednesday 9-12 & 1-4

12. Township Total Households Poverty ALICE
Brownstown Township 2,240 8% 28%
Carr Township 559 21% 27%
Driftwood Township 351 7% 15%
Grassy Fork Township 323 11% 22%
Hamilton Township 638 5% 17%
Jackson Township 8,077 16% 24%
Owen Township 603 9% 23%
Pershing Township 530 6% 18%
Redding Township 1,614 2% 21%
Salt Creek Township 204 11% 40%
Vernon Township 1,355 13% 32%
Source: HUD, USDA, BLS, IRS, state Treasury, and Childcare Aware, 2012, American Community Survey, 3 year est.
Poverty & Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed

13. Single Adult
Family w/ Infant &
Pre-K
Housing 571.00 696.00
Childcare 0. 864.00
Food 170.00 515.00
Transportation 340.00 681.00
Healthcare 130.00 518.00
Miscellaneous 142.00 352.00
Taxes 205.00 242.00
Monthly Total $ 1,558.00 $ 3,868.00
Annual Total $ 18,696.00 $ 46,416.00
Hourly Wage Needed
to Survive $ 8.99 $ 22.32
Source: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Indiana Report

14. Monthly rent or house payment : 550.00
Car payment: 100.00
Car insurance: 75.00
Utility – electric: 75.00
Utility – water/sewer/trash: 50.00
Childcare: 550.00
Total Debt: $ 1,400.00
Gross Wage Income ($7.25/hr at 40 hrs/wk): 1,160.00
Child Support ($50/wk): 200.00
Total Income: $ 1,360.00
Housing Ratio should be not more than 30% of the
Gross Monthly Income (GMI):
$1,360 monthly income x 30% GMI = $408.00
This individual can afford $408.00 for housing costs.

15.  The income gap between the rich and poor has
widened astronomically since 1967.
 People in poverty remain in ‘crisis mode’. They
struggle to survive on a daily basis and are
unable to pay attention to this gap.
 The middle class are too busy trying to climb
the economic ladder to worry about the gap.
 The wealthy don’t want to talk about it.

18. Poverty Middle Class Wealth
Possession
s
People Things One-of-a-kind
objects, legacies,
pedigrees.
Money To be used,
spent.
To be managed. To be conserved,
invested.
Personality Is for
entertainment.
Sense of humor
is highly valued.
Is for acquisition &
stability.
Achievement is
highly valued.
Is for connections.
Financial, political,
social connections
are highly valued.

19. Hidden Rules…cont’d
Poverty Middle Class Wealth
Social
Emphasis
Social inclusion
of people he/she
likes.
Emphasis is on
self-governance &
self sufficiency.
Emphasis is on
social exclusion.
Food Key question:
Did you have
enough?
Quantity
important.
Key question: Did
you like it?
Quality important.
Key question: Was
it presented well?
Presentation
important.
Clothing Clothing valued
for individual
style &
expression of
personality.
Clothing valued
for its quality &
acceptance into
norm of middle
class. Label
important.
Clothing valued for
its artistic sense &
expression.
Designer important.

20. Poverty Middle Class Wealth
Time Present most
important.
Decisions made
for moment
based on feeling
or survival.
Future most
important.
Decisions made
against future
ramifications.
Traditions & history
most important.
Decisions made
partially on basis of
tradition &
decorum.
Education Valued & revered
as abstract but
not as reality.
Crucial for
climbing success
ladder & making
money.
Necessary tradition
for making &
maintaining
connections.
Family
Structure
Tends to be
matriarchal.
Tends to be
patriarchal.
Depends on who
has money.

21. Poverty Middle Class Wealth
Destiny Believes in fate.
Cannot do much
to mitigate
chance.
Believes in
choice. Can
change future with
good choices now.
Noblesse oblige.
(‘Nobility Obliges’)
Language Casual register.
Language is
about survival.
Formal register.
Language is about
negotiation.
Formal register.
Language is about
networking.
Driving
Forces
Survival,
relationships,
entertainment.
Work,
achievement.
Financial, political,
social connections.
Hidden Rules…cont’d

22. Poverty Middle Class Wealth
Love Love &
acceptance
conditional,
based upon
whether
individual is
liked.
Love &
acceptance
conditional &
based largely
upon
achievement.
Love & acceptance
conditional &
related to social
standing &
connections.
Humor About people &
sex.
About situations. About social faux
pas.
World View Sees world in
terms of local
setting.
Sees world in
terms of national
setting.
See world in terms
of international
view.
Hidden Rules…cont’d
Source: www.ahaprocess.com

23. Frozen Language that is always the same. i.e. Lord’s Prayer,
wedding vows, etc.
Formal The standard sentence syntax and word choice of work
and school. Has complete sentences and specific word
choice.
Consultative Formal register when used in conversation. Discourse
pattern not quite as direct as formal register.
Casual Language between friends & is characterized by a 400+ to
800 word spoken vocabulary. Word choice general & not
specific. Conversation dependent on non-verbal assists.
Sentence syntax often incomplete.
Intimate Language between lovers or twins. Language of sexual
harassment.
Source: www.ahaprocess.com

24. • People in poverty stay in poverty because they
do not know how to get out. Moving from
poverty requires a support system, education of
the hidden rules of class, someone to assist
with necessary resources, and someone to lead
in times of chaos.
• Their learned emotional responses dictate
behavior. They may have to find that ‘still’, to
move forward.

25.  A participant will need to make a number of very
difficult decisions during the journey to escape
poverty. Those decisions can only be
successfully made when the participant has
been provided the necessary emotional
resources from role models, such as coaches,
who are present in the life of a person in
poverty who wishes to escape the poverty
culture.

26.  Majority of programming in place:
› Has a single focus with some attempts to
address ancillary issues
› Has a defined period of time to participate
with little to no follow-up
› Referrals to other programs/agencies can
cause frustration and confusion
› Take the global approach teaching broad
base of skills

27. This initiative moves people forward to a better quality
of life. Our efforts are to build the skills necessary in
participants so they may grow in their own abilities to
become independent.
Coaching For Success places a strong focus in
improving the areas of income, education and
housing. Coaches and their team actively work with
their participants to define their strengths and
weaknesses and set short and long term goals. To
move people out of poverty they need a support
team. This initiative provides that support team as
long as it is needed.

28.  Provide:
› Broad focus on all needs and issues
› Unlimited time frame to participate
› Unification of services & goals; eliminating
confusion/frustration
› Go beyond broad base of skills, take the time
necessary to identify the root cause of the
individuals barrier(s)
› Support team with on going support

29.  Participants are vetted by the General Manager
and if accepted, are assigned a Coach
 Participant and Coach develop a healthy
working relationship
 Coach enlists Teammates who specialize in a
variety of topics to assist the Participant
 Participant works with Coach and Teammates to
break down and eliminate barriers

30.  A person who… gently guides and nurtures the
growth of another person during various stages
of that person’s development.
 A person who… explains the rules and culture
of other socio-economic classes.
 A person who… listens, relates, explains,
increases perspective, identifies resources,
targets options and consequences, assists in
setting goals, provides encouragement.

31.  A person who… can focus on the positive.
 A person who… finds the talents & gifts
someone has to offer.
 A person who… can see the genuine greatness
in the moment & be in that moment. Knowing
that the power is in the NOW.
 A person who… can celebrate the small as well
as the big successes.
If we see the greatness in a person, they
will step more into that greatness.

32.  Develop Character
 Set Boundaries
 Limit Responsibility
 Plan Objectives
 Set Goals
 Inspect Performance
 Give Tough Love
 Use Coach Voice
 Understand Risk
 Listen

33.  Create a safe environment
 Develop self discipline
 Build relationships
 Neutralize duality
 Know the whole person/participant
 Don’t be a know it all
 Allow failure on the journey to wisdom
 Allow and support dreams
 Build trust
 Determine the level of accessibility
 Teach the rules of the middle class

34.  What does a life of poverty look like?
› What problems do they have to solve?
› What worries do they have?
› Where does their time and energy go?
› Where does their money go?
› Who are the people in this picture?
› How are their relationships?
 What does their life out of poverty look like?
› What do they want their life to look like?

35.  Some people are good with change, others are not. If an
individual has more resources, change can be easier.
 Poverty is about more than the choices they make.
 Learn about the hidden rules of economic class,
resources, family structure, and language.
 As people living in poverty come to understand the big
picture, as well as their issues, things will begin to make
sense.
 Partnerships within the community will build vital social
support to break the cycle of poverty.

36. › Housing / Emergency
Shelter
› Utilities
› Health Care
› Child Care
› Parenting
› Employment
Readiness
› Vocational Training
› Employment
Opportunities
› Child & Adult
Education
› Recreation
› Food & Nutrition
› Transportation
› Mental Health
› Substance Abuse
Treatment
› Domestic Violence
› Legal Assistance
ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES

37.  Current U.S. policies pull supports away as
people begin to move out of poverty.
 Community supports must be built to mitigate
“cliff effects”.
 Engage those in poverty to guide work of
overcoming obstacles, forming partnerships, and
thinking differently.
 Strong communities do not leave anyone behind.
People in poverty count.
 Create a prosperous, healthy, sustainable
community where all individuals do well.
Source: Bridges to Sustainable Communities , Philip DeVol

38.  It takes a lot of “emotional labor” for a
participant and those assisting a participant to
make the transition from poverty to a higher
economic class.
 Leaving poverty is a process, not an event. It is
a series of steps over an extended period of
time.

39.  Housing ratio will be 30% or less of GMI
 Safe Housing
 200% or above poverty guidelines
 Improved self confidence
 Strengthened family unit
 Increased social skills
 Stronger community
› Family income
› Thriving partnerships
› Community awareness

40.  Poverty is relative and there are many reasons for it.
 Poverty occurs in all races and in all countries.
 Generational poverty and situational poverty are different.
 An individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of class in which
he/she was raised.
 Understanding the hidden rules of economic class allows a person to
choose behaviors that lead to economic security.
 In order to move from poverty to middle class or middle class to
wealth, an individual must give up relationships for achievement (at
least for a period of time).
 No matter what economic class we’re in, we try to earn the respect
of the people closest to us.
 We cannot blame the victims of poverty for being in poverty. We
cannot support stereotypes and prejudices about the poor.

41.  Consider what we will do with our life, as well as what
we will do about poverty in our community.
 What can we change about ourselves? What can we
change about our community?
 Our answers will help us understand what it will take in
the way of courage to move toward prosperity. The
prosperity we’re talking about isn’t just financial, its an
overall sense of well-being, success, contentment, and
(yes) happiness.
“No significant learning occurs without a significant
relationship.” -Dr. James Comer
Ponder…

42. Missy Woods
1115 E. Oak Street
Seymour, IN 47274
(812) 522-8718
mwoods@hsi-indiana.com