Project RISE
RISE, also known as The NorthWest Project, began as a collaborative effort in 2016, with the simple idea of helping families overcome challenges that kept them in poverty and learn to sustain success. It is a five-year project, led by Missouri State University, The Drew Lewis Foundation, and Drury University.
This $1.3 million grant has benefitted close to 300 adults and children in Springfield. The average member has increased their income by $505 a month for those who remain active in the program.
The grant is continuing to help families, especially single parents, develop the “Ten Sustainability Assets” according to the annual report, which include:
Affordable housing (housing representing no more than 30% of one’s total monthly budget)
Transportation (members have reliable transportation)
Quality childcare (children are enrolled in quality child care, before-school, or after-school programming as needed for children over two years old)
Parenting classes (where members have not participated in other similar classes for 3 years)
Resolution of criminal background (where applicable)
Accountability (such as attending required program and community resource meetings and engaging consistently in the program)
Job training
Taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (attainment of EITC benefit & application of benefit to personal plan where applicable)
Monthly budget management (adhering to a budget, reducing debt and working on a credit score of 650)
Health and wellness (including access to healthcare and insurance)
The project also offers personal development, mentorship, social support, mental health resources and assistance for people needing help with banking and financial challenges.
Because of these additional services, they are able to track additional self-sufficiency data points, including:
Mental health access or needs
Relative level of support a household may have within their social networks
Food security
Home safety
Relative integration or connection to community resources
The collaboration has grown and evolved over the years, now utilizing resources from multiple organizations and agencies, called “Community Partners”.
These partners are: Ozarks Technical Community College, MU Extension, the City of Springfield, Springfield Community Gardens, Springfield Public Schools, Life 360 Family Services, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club, Great Circle-Parenting Life Skills Center, Hand in Hand Multicultural Center, Care to Learn, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, Ozarks Regional YMCA, Schweitzer United Methodist Church Jobs for Life Program, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, City Utilities Community Credit Union, Southeast Rotary, Great Southern Bank, Central Bank and Trust Company, and many others. Their 2019 report states that “Over 90 organizations have contributed services, in-kind donations, or services, totaling over an estimated $600,000 in value to project activities over the last 36 months.”
As they have expanded to serve other areas, they made the decision to rename the project to reflect their desire to help everywhere poverty is found in our community. They decided on RISE, as they created Neighborhood Hubs at several locations in Springfield, including The Fairbanks, The Betty & Bobby Allison Springfield Dream Center, and Ward Downtown YMCA. Expansion through a collaboration with another CFO initiative - Growth in the Rural Ozarks (GRO) - into the surrounding area to serve Aurora, El Dorado Springs, Marshfield and Salem, Missouri.
We are so proud to work alongside the incredible team of individuals and organizations who have made this happen, and we look forward to seeing a better Springfield for everyone based on their efforts and funding.
If you are interested in learning more about RISE, you can contact the Drew Lewis Foundation at The Fairbanks at (417) 720-1890.
