*Y.C.* Powerhouse (formerly Baby's First Home)
Location
The epidemic of the homeless population in New York City is a complex social issue, and for homeless mothers and their families, the prospects of escaping this life of homelessness and welfare dependency are slim. Additionally, for mothers outside of the foster care system, resources are even more limited, as there are currently few shelters in New York City that target this specific population. Our team has created a concept model that will address homelessness in a new and innovative way. We will address this social issue on a holistic, grassroots level by providing a two-year supportive housing program for five mothers and their children. While these women are in our program, they will be provided with a nurturing and supportive environment, healthcare services, self-esteem workshops, and will be given the opportunity to identify needs in their community and to create small businesses to meet those needs. These small businesses will be for profit, and a portion of the proceeds will be set aside in an account for each of the women, which will be provided to them upon their graduation from the program. This will allow them to start their savings and provide them with a cushion while they segue out of the shelter. These women will also be educated in personal finance and money management. One struggle that similar programs deal with is providing long-term benefits to their clients after they have left the program. Powerhouse will address this issue by striving to encourage inner-strength and a social support network. By starting small businesses run by women in their communities, we hope to create an interdependent supportive network of community leaders who can act as pillars of support to other members of the community in times of need.
To further promote grassroots community development, another portion of the proceeds will set aside in a fund for the start up of more small businesses to continue the cycle of empowerment for other women and their families who are interested in starting small businesses. Additionally, a small portion of the proceeds will be used to support the maintenance and upkeep of the shelter, making it self-sustaining.
In addition to providing support and services to the women in the shelter, our organization also targets at-risk youth in New York City and creates a number of small projects to encourage the same values as the residential program such as self-esteem, empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. These programs can be created and implemented by any individual or group who takes an interest in effecting social change and making a difference in their communities. Project Playdate is a testament to this concept. This is a donation-based bimonthly childcare fundraiser started and run by volunteers who saw a need for childcare in their community and created this Project to meet that need. By involving the community, Powerhouse seeks to create an interdependent network of individuals, a “human ecosystem,” working together to make a positive impact on their communities. This concept allows Powerhouse’s mission and vision to be actualized across a wide sector of society, and has a means of involvement for anyone who shows interest.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Kathleen
Last Name
Crehan
Website
Organization
Country
United States, NY
Are you an individual between the ages of 18 and 35 who would like to apply for a nine month Young Champions Program mentored by an Ashoka Fellow?
Yes
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Powerhouse
Organization Website
Organization Phone
917-972-6399
Organization Address
23 Jones Street #7-8 New York NY 10014
Organization Country
United States, NY
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Your idea
Name Your Project
*Y.C.* Powerhouse (formerly Baby's First Home)
Country your work focuses on
United States, NY
Describe Your Idea
The epidemic of the homeless population in New York City is a complex social issue, and for homeless mothers and their families, the prospects of escaping this life of homelessness and welfare dependency are slim. Additionally, for mothers outside of the foster care system, resources are even more limited, as there are currently few shelters in New York City that target this specific population. Our team has created a concept model that will address homelessness in a new and innovative way. We will address this social issue on a holistic, grassroots level by providing a two-year supportive housing program for five mothers and their children. While these women are in our program, they will be provided with a nurturing and supportive environment, healthcare services, self-esteem workshops, and will be given the opportunity to identify needs in their community and to create small businesses to meet those needs. These small businesses will be for profit, and a portion of the proceeds will be set aside in an account for each of the women, which will be provided to them upon their graduation from the program. This will allow them to start their savings and provide them with a cushion while they segue out of the shelter. These women will also be educated in personal finance and money management. One struggle that similar programs deal with is providing long-term benefits to their clients after they have left the program. Powerhouse will address this issue by striving to encourage inner-strength and a social support network. By starting small businesses run by women in their communities, we hope to create an interdependent supportive network of community leaders who can act as pillars of support to other members of the community in times of need.
To further promote grassroots community development, another portion of the proceeds will set aside in a fund for the start up of more small businesses to continue the cycle of empowerment for other women and their families who are interested in starting small businesses. Additionally, a small portion of the proceeds will be used to support the maintenance and upkeep of the shelter, making it self-sustaining.
In addition to providing support and services to the women in the shelter, our organization also targets at-risk youth in New York City and creates a number of small projects to encourage the same values as the residential program such as self-esteem, empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. These programs can be created and implemented by any individual or group who takes an interest in effecting social change and making a difference in their communities. Project Playdate is a testament to this concept. This is a donation-based bimonthly childcare fundraiser started and run by volunteers who saw a need for childcare in their community and created this Project to meet that need. By involving the community, Powerhouse seeks to create an interdependent network of individuals, a “human ecosystem,” working together to make a positive impact on their communities. This concept allows Powerhouse’s mission and vision to be actualized across a wide sector of society, and has a means of involvement for anyone who shows interest.
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
According to a report from the Institute for Children and Poverty (ICP) in 2003, titled “Children Having Children: Teen Pregnancy and Homelessness in New York City,” nearly half of all homeless families in New York City were headed by women who were teenage mothers. Additionally, 32% were homeless before the age of 18, 42% had been homeless more than once, and children of homeless teenage mothers were three times more likely to experience homelessness numerous times. Our organization is based on the belief that for these women to break out of their cycle of homelessness and welfare dependency, they must be given lasting skills that will allow them to make real changes for themselves and provide opportunities for their children. Powerhouse is unique in that our program model addresses the issue of homelessness and welfare dependency in a different and more effective way than other homeless organizations in New York City. We provide the support and mentoring for these women to develop their skills and give them an opportunity to hone and implement these skills. This idea can potentially be utilized in many communities around the world because it relies on the interconnectedness of society, the importance of women as pillars of the community, and promotes the strengthening of these communities. Additionally, the business aspect of this program is based on microfinance lending and, as a portion of the proceeds from the businesses are used to find other new startups, this idea promotes a cycle of community improvement through community improvement. Also, this program was started and is run by young women under 30. We are able to provide a fresh perspective on this systemic issue, and can apply the concepts we learn in school to effect lasting change.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Although this program is currently in its pilot phase, we have started the small business and empowerment aspect of our program. We are currently running a program to teach young women practical sewing skills so that they will be able to mend their family’s clothing. Also, teaching these women practical skills that they can easily use is empowering and is a small step towards self-sufficiency. We are also developing an educational program to teach personal finance, which will be implemented in each of our programs. We are also working to raise awareness of the plight of these homeless mothers through our bi-monthly fundraising events by handing out informational materials and discussing this issue with our patrons.
Problem
According to a report from the Institute for Children and Poverty (ICP) in 2003, titled “Children Having Children: Teen Pregnancy and Homelessness in New York City,” nearly half of all homeless families in New York City were headed by women who were teenage mothers. Additionally, 32% were homeless before the age of 18, 42% had been homeless more than once, and children of homeless teenage mothers were three times more likely to experience homelessness numerous times. Here is one of the many messages sent to us by homeless teen mothers asking for help: “Hello my name is Shakira. I am 20yrz old and I have a 5mth old baby boy. I have been homeless since I was 15yrs old. Please, I really need help. Right now I have no place to go and I need help I've been in and out of emergency shelters. I have nothing left to do…”
Actions
• Partnering with existing organizations and individuals such as:
o NYU Nursing Master’s Program: partners with our women to provide information on maternal health care and mentoring relationships to the women we serve.
o Fashion Institute of Technology: teaching practical sewing skills, such as mending and stitches, and how to use patterns and recycled fabrics to create clothing pieces.
o Becca Wilis, RN, BSN: studying public health and nurse midwifery at Columbia. Will be implementing a doula program with Powerhouse.
• Implementing pilot Projects, such as Project Design, Project Garden, and Project Playdate, which address community needs and empower the individuals involved with the projects. Also serves to test the effectiveness of our idea and programs and allows us to fine-tune our goals and measurements.
• Outreaching and raising awareness of the plight of homeless teen mothers outside of the foster care system to garner public support.
Results
• Garnered support for our program from the Elmhurst community.
• Increased self-esteem and knowledge of practical skills for women in our pilot programs.
• Successfully negotiated and navigated working partnerships with organizations and individuals in the community.
• Raised public awareness of the social issue of the plight of homeless teenage mothers.
• Garnered support from professionals in the fields of social entrepreneurship, public policy, and issues surrounding homelessness and assembled a Board of Directors to guide the organization.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
During the first year, we will need to fully develop our business plan and fine-tune our programs to make them as effective as possible. We will also need to raise enough money to furnish and open our shelter, which will cost approximately $200,000 over two years. After we receive our funding, we will need to hire staff for the shelter. We already have a waitlist of women who are interested in our program, so we will also need to interview the applicants and admit five residents into the program. We will also need to form more partnerships with local organizations who will assist in providing the highest quality services to the women in our program. During the second year, we will begin working with the women in our program to develop self-esteem and to educate them on the process of starting a small business. We will work with them to identify a need in the community that can be met through a small business and create a business plan. The third year will be focused on implementing the business plan and making the business profitable. We will continue to work on empowerment and building self-esteem, as well as providing these women with services and information related to maternal health, personal finances, finding employment, and addressing personal problems and issues through group and individual therapy.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Our project would be unsuccessful if we are unable to raise the funds to open the program. Also, we will have to ensure that the women are properly educated about creating a business and the business plan is accurate and successful. Additionally, we will have to be sure that we partner with the best organizations to provide our women with services, and that we continually reassess our program to assure that it is effectively meeting our goals of increasing self-esteem and empowering these women. The selection for the women our program will serve could also present a problem if we select women who are not equipped to meet the demands and goals of the program, or who are not committed to making personal changes. If these needs and potential issues are not properly addressed and discussed, they will be highly detrimental to the success and effectiveness of our program.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Don't know
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for less than a year
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Please select
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
These partnerships allow us to pool resources from many different sectors of society. We believe that everyone has something to offer and everyone has something that they need. These partnerships allow individuals to have a positive impact in addressing community needs in the best and most effective way. By partnering with specific organizations who specialize in areas such as maternal health, building self-esteem, and creating successful businesses, we avoid the struggle of having to “reinvent the wheel” and instead can rely on the resources and support of experts in each of these areas.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
The first is that we need to increasingly raise awareness of this issue to gain community support and develop our donor base. The more people that become involved will make our organization and cause more successful. The second is that we need to identify and explore more potential partnerships with organizations who will be able to assist us in providing services to our target population. We need to solidify these relationships and develop a plan for tailoring the programs offered by our partnering organizations to meet the goals of our organization. Thirdly, we need to solidify the outline of our programs and open the shelter to begin providing services to our target population.
The Story
What was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
This organization was conceived by two of my classmates and I had been hearing about the work that they’d been doing for the organization. When I began an internship in September 2009 with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) a nonprofit that works with extremely difficult cases of children in foster care, I began to recognize how limited the resources for these children were. In one of my cases, I was working with a young mother who was ageing out of the foster care system and was trying to assist her in finding a supportive housing program for her transition out of care. Although there are many supportive housing programs in New York City, this child was excluded from them because she and her daughter were considered to be a family. The only option for her was to apply for Section 8 public housing or to enter a homeless shelter for families. The waitlist for Section 8 housing is approximately 6-8 years long and homeless shelters, even ones that target families, are dangerous and do not offer supportive services. I realized that this lack of resources represented a huge gap in services offered to this population, and knew that I could make a difference in filling this gap. I began to research ways to get involved and realized that the answer was right under my nose. I contacted my classmates, who explained their mission and vision, and quickly immersed myself in the organization.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Amanda Raposo, who is currently a Junior in NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, realized this need when she was speaking with Fiorella Alania, another student in the School of Social Work. Fiorella is the proud mother of two children, but had been kicked out of her house by her mother and was left with no place to go. She was discussing her issues with Amanda, and the seed of an idea began to grow. Amanda immediately began exploring supportive housing programs that target this population, and came up with few results. She studied other programs’ structure, design, and outcomes, and realized that there was a more effective way to address this population’s needs and provide services. She applied for and won an NYU and Youth Venture seed grant through their “Be A Changemaker” program. This, along with a generous donation of a building in Elmhurst, Queens (which is the future site of the residential program), made achieving this dream more of a reality. Amanda began outreaching to the Elmhurst Community to gage interest in this program, and assembled a team of dedicated and committed volunteers to work on designing the program, its mission, goals, and ideals. Amanda continues to work tirelessly on driving this program to success.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Friend or family member
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
 | crehan.kathleen updated this Competition Entry. - 695 days ago |
| crehan.kathleen submitted this idea. - 696 days ago |
