to their potential andachieving greater success . . .

COMMUNITY REPORT

e v e l y n k d a v i s c e n t e r . o r g

We’re Connecting Individuals . . .

“The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families

provides a highly integrated delivery of workforce

training and support services. The work carried out at

the Evelyn K. Davis Center includes:

3 Job Search Assistance and

Career Enrichment Programs

3 Diverse Educational Opportunities

3 Financial Literacy and Asset Building

3 Career Benefits Screening

Visitors at the Center are recipients of a mixed service

commitment facilitated by many community partners.

We hope that community leaders, neighborhood

residents and local businesses continue to collaborate

and work toward a common goal with us—to create

change, improve quality of life and make a positive

impact within the community.

We truly believe in this vision, and the heart of

Des Moines is becoming a healthier place with

everything that we do here at the Center. We

want to thank you for helping us serve the citizens

of Central Iowa. Please enjoy our third annual report,

and continue to collaborate and create community

impact with us in the coming year!”

Marvin DeJear Director, Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families

“The Evelyn K. Davis Center is more than just a center for

opportunity, it is a resource hub for all walks of life and for all

types of reasons; somewhere anyone can go to feel at home

and assured that their future endeavors are in good hands,

helping hands. The Center provides essential support and

guidance to help clients persevere through life’s adversities,

and to help break barriers present in today’s society, as well

as to provide much-needed employees for businesses within

the area. In its first three years of existence, the Evelyn K.

Davis Center has already made a dramatic difference in the

lives of many, measured in the thousands. As important, it

is also a model for community and agency collaboration

and is an example of efficient service delivery that both

reduces costs and increases success. Now in its 50th year,

DMACC is honored to collaborate with all of our partners

and stakeholders at the Center to help improve our dynamic

community. Together, we can change lives and make the

seemingly impossible, possible, in the eyes of the weary.

WE give HOPE.”

Rob DensonPresident, Des Moines Area Community College

The Evelyn K. Davis Center for

Working Families uses an integrated

support service network to help

individuals and families achieve

success through education, targeting

skills training, real work experience

and connection to employment

opportunities, helping them achieve

their career goals.

MISSION STATEMENT

ENCOURAGING FINANCIAL LITERACY

Every person has potential, and the possibilities to achieve their full potential are endless. At the Evelyn K. Davis

Center for Working Families, we’re working every day to help individuals improve their lives, realize their potential

and reach their dreams. We’re doing this by delivering educational opportunities, on-the-job training, connecting

individuals with employers, and by providing services that help clients improve the way they manage their daily

lives. Our four focus areas include:

CONNECTING TO EDUCATE

Education Opens Employment OpportunitiesAt the Center, we’re providing educational opportunities and easy access to educators and diverse programs that help individuals energize their career and job prospects through:3 Adult Basic Education3 Digital Literacy3 DMACC3 English as a Second

Language (ESL)

3 Gateway to College3 Homework Coaching Program3 Job Readiness3 YouthBuild3 Workforce Training Academy

CONNECTING TO SUPPORT

Multiple Services Means Hundreds of Helping HandsWe work closely with other community organizations that deliver services beyond the scope of our programs. Every advisor at the Center is working to make sure each individual has the career, support services, education, training and coaching to support their career and job aspirations, as well as the necessary social service benefits.

Our services include:

3 Access to Public Benefits

3 Benefit Screening

3 Civil Legal Advice and Representation

3 Income Tax Prep3 Housing and

Transportation Assistance

3 Individual Assessment

3 Placement Assistance

Our staff also connects individuals to other community-based organizations and support services not located in the Center, such as daycare services, refugee services, legal aid, immigration issues, general relief, substance abuse, healthcare and social services.

When people transition from unemployed to employed, suddenly they have paychecks coming in. For many, that happy event also poses some challenges such as where to cash or deposit the check, or how to be financially prudent with their new income. The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families helps to overcome these challenges with free financial literacy services and classes.

Money Coaching from the Financial Capability Network (FCN) of United Way is a one-on-one service that helps clients set goals, create a spending plan, tackle their debt and get answers to their financial questions.

The FCN’s Financial Fitness Bootcamp empowers and encourages people to become financially secure. It teaches

the basics of money management, including fundamental financial planning, budgeting, credit counseling and consumer protections. Financial Fitness Bootcamp can earn participants a certificate in financial education and can even help them open their own bank account. New Financial Fitness Bootcamp classes start periodically throughout the year at the Center.

233RECEIVING LONG-TERM

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING

a

320PARTICIPANTS WHO OPENED NEW BANK

ACCOUNTS

723INDIVIDUALS WHO’VE

DEVELOPED A BUDGET AND/OR LONG-TERM

FINANCIAL PLAN

CONNECTING TO CAREERS

Job Training Makes a DifferenceConnecting Central Iowans with Central Iowa companies is one more way we’re making a significant difference in the lives of many. We focus on innovative feedback techniques based on the desires of employers to ensure a comprehensive approach is taken to landing the right position.

YouthBuild, a seven-month educational training program that combines academic instruction, construction training,

as well as leadership and personal development, has continued to strive to provide additional opportunities and services to the young adults it has enrolled.

Besides the normal weekly routine—three days of academic instruction and two days of on-site construction training at Habitat for Humanity worksites—YouthBuild trainees have benefited from various educational training, community service and social service opportunities.

This year, YouthBuild has improved on partnerships with Drake’s Legal Aid, Children and Families of Iowa (CFI), and other various union organizations. With the help of these valuable partnerships, YouthBuild trainees are now able to get even more assistance with removing barriers to their success. Each week a representative from Legal Aid comes to the Evelyn K. Davis Center and has one-on-one meetings with trainees, assisting them with everything from understanding child support to how to handle court fines. This past year, through YouthBuild’s partnership with the Laborer’s Union, trainees have been able to obtain additional training and certificates, such as Rigging. All eligible trainees also receive services from CFI, which includes work-clothing assistance, therapy and other incentives.

The Gateway to College Program had its summer graduation reception on Friday, August 7, for students who have worked hard to earn their high school diploma. Gateway to College is a dual-credit high school completion program

that services students between the ages of 16 and 21 who have dropped out of high school.

Students who join Gateway to College take DMACC courses and earn college credit while also completing their remaining high school requirements. All students who complete the program receive an official high school diploma from their respective school district.

Gateway to College has partnered with the Des Moines Public Schools for the past five years and in that time has had 11 students successfully complete their high school diploma with one student also receiving an AA degree from DMACC at the same time.

In the past year, Gateway to College has expanded to also include Newton, Knoxville and Ames public schools. At the graduation reception this summer, Gateway to College will honor six students who will earn their high school diploma. Congratulations, Graduates!

EDUCATION

YouthBuild

YouthBuild

Youth Build

white logo

Opening the door to self-sufficiency and personal satisfaction.

DES MOINES AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

100STUDENTS IN AN

EDUCATIONAL CREDIT- EARNING PROGRAM

554PEOPLE PLACED INTO JOB

TRAINING PROGRAMS

1,408PEOPLE EARNED A

WORKFORCE CREDENTIAL

470JOB PLACEMENTS IN

OUR THIRD YEAR

a

2,859PEOPLE REFERRED

WITHIN THE THIRD YEAR TO OUR

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

a

7,383BUNDLED SERVICES PROVIDED TO NEW

PARTICIPANTS SINCE OPENING THREE YEARS AGO

17,000

MEALS PACKAGED FOR “MEALS FROM THE HEARTLAND”

1,376HOURS VOLUNTEERED

AT THE CENTER

SUPPORT

Generating growing numbers that quantify our success.

$10,633,985DOLLARS GENERATED BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR PLACEMENT EFFORTS

11,111TOTAL BUNDLED SERVICES

PROVIDED TO CURRENT PARTICIPANTS SINCE

OPENING THREE YEARS AGO

The Workforce Training Academy empowers our students by offering career education and coaching in a supportive environment that focuses on taking the next career steps. We offer a variety of certificate classes and resources to help individuals prepare for occupations that have been identified as high-growth, high-demand in our region.

These areas include:

3 Business/Information Technology

3 Advanced Manufacturing

3 Health Care

3 Transportation/Logistics

Most noncredit certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid. WTA’s tuition assistance program bridges the funding gap for students pursuing short-term training.

CAREERS

Connecting the unemployed and underemployed with rewarding work.

THIRD ANNUAL YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FAIR

More than 50 vendors gathered at Central Campus this year for the third annual Youth Opportunity Fair, to promote awareness and provide opportunities for employment and higher education to students all over Des Moines. Vendors included employers, colleges, universities and nonprofits throughout Greater Des Moines. The event was a success with more than 400 individuals in attendance.

I DIDN’T KNOW THAT

The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families began their first series of informational workshops, called “I Didn’t Know That.” These free workshops cover topics such as buying a house or a car, taxes, retirement and much more.

To date, we have had seminars and forums impacting more than 40 participants.

The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families is holding its third annual Summer Youth Experience Program (SYEP) with the additional support of Polk County, Iowa Workforce Development, Department of Natural Resources, Wells Fargo, Principal Charity Classic, Broadlawns Medical Center, Bridgestone, Kelly Services and the United Way of Central Iowa.

The 10-week program provides under-served youths, from ages 14 to 21, with summer employment experiences, volunteer opportunities, and educational experiences to build their skills for the workforce.

This year, more than 300 youths applied for the Summer Youth Experience Program. Approximately 165 were interviewed and 96 received an acceptance letter, to which 81 responded. Seventy-three youths were actually placed with a partner organization and finished out the program. The youths completed skill training covering resume building, career planning, proper communication, dress code, ethics, mock interviews, financial literacy, bullying and entrepreneurship.

Once a week, the youths participated in various events and training activities, such as visiting the DMACC Ankeny Campus, where they sat in classes that presented the different programs offered there (i.e., respiratory therapy, medical assistant and much more).

Other activities that took place included a tour at Iowa State University and spending the day at Springbrook Conservation Education Center in Guthrie Center, where the youths had the opportunity to kayak and learn important survival skills.

“Work experience has opened my son’s eyes to the level of professional etiquette needed to excel. It has also reinforced the value of higher education. He has thoroughly enjoyed his experience at DNR” ~Hannah Garside (Parent)

The FCN quickly became a staple within the EKD Center, serving as the banner financial literacy provider among all EKD programs. A point-of-service database prompts clients to answer a series of questions to aid EKD staff in determining a client’s need. This data collection point establishes a direct line for individuals to identify financial education and/or coaching as needed.

Equally important, it prompts EKD Center staff to recommend/refer to FCN when clients self-report a need or desire for assistance in several other categories, such as rental assistance, credit report, FAFSA, food assistance, home buying, etc. EKD and FCN recognize the tremendous advantage we have to engage clients into financial education as a supportive mechanism for several other critical financial-stability needs.

Each, EKD client is assessed for their financial stability barriers to self-sufficiency, and financial goals—most are recommended to FCN services, such as financial education and/or one-on-one coaching alongside a cadre of other services within the Center. Operationalizing the FCN pipeline and ideal environment engages the providers who are looking to integrate a financial literacy component into their work.

United Way of Central Iowa’s (UWCI) Financial Capability Network (FCN) is located at the Evelyn K. Davis

Center for Working Families (EKD)—a robust center helping families and individuals improve their financial

position through Education & Employment Services, Income & Work Supports, and Financial Services/

Asset Building. EKD is a hub for adult basic education, literacy, workforce training, collegiate-level education

and career navigation. In addition to its day-to-day service delivery, EKD functions as a flagship center for

external community partners to deliver specialized assistance to EKD clients.

SCOUT NIGHT Scout Night is a fun and educational event for

National Money Smart Week, where scouts learn

about money, finance and savings.

This year, 32 Girl Scouts attended the event hosted

at the Evelyn K. Davis Center, where they learned

the importance of handling money, saving and the

difference between wants and needs when it

comes to budgeting.

FINANCIAL CAPABILITY NETWORK (FCN)

Services primarily include providing candidates with appropriate apparel to wear to an interview. This might include a couple of suits accompanied by some ties and a few dress shirts to get them through that first paycheck.

The initiative started as an idea that was already sitting at the center until Community and Business Relations Specialists, Dwight Jackson, Dionna Langford, and Rachelle Long, came on board. “There are a lot of agencies within the community that help women, but not a lot of agencies that help men,” said Long.

“I think this will continue to bridge the employment gap with not only the present but future generations because it will instill the idea of what success looks like, and then what it feels like as they see their employability skills improve,” said Long.

Men on the Move: its purpose isn’t to solely clothe men, but to offer a sense of support and interest in that person’s journey toward success. “It’s more than just picking up a suit and tie or a shirt,” said Jackson. “We want these individuals to experience that someone is interested in their achievement and goals—a man-to-man discussion that it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what’s most important is where you’re trying to go.”

On May 27, 2015, Elpis Christian Fellowship church opened its doors to house a new

program founded by the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families: Men on the

Move. The program is designed to assist men in the community who wish to establish

fundamental skills for self-sufficiency. Whether the men are preparing for an interview,

or have already landed a job, Men on the Move provides various services to help prepare

individuals to take their steps to success.

MEN ON THE MOVE

MULTICULTURAL RECEPTION

Live band and all, on Tuesday, March 3, a total of 270 individuals filled the halls at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families—the center’s first year hosting the annual Multicultural Reception in Des Moines.

There are resources available to help small businesses grow, such as small dollar loans and loan packages

through the state or other organizations, but these focus on finances.

In order to help business owners to reach a level of sustainability and longevity within their business, they

must fully understand the importance and concept of capacity building, accounting, operation procedures

and marketing.

The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families recognized this and developed a series of workshops just for this need in the community. The Master’s Business Class is a six-week series of workshops designed to assist small-business owners in nurturing and advancing their already-existing business.

Participants meet once a week and examine topics such as banking, business law, commercial leasing and many other vital components to business ownership. The classes also involve hands-on training and include guest speakers from various professions in the community.

Upon graduation, the participants of this workshop receive a certificate of completion as well as their own, personalized business profile, which they have completed themselves. Each cohort of entrepreneurs also receives free one-on-one coaching regarding their finances as well as their small business.

“When individuals thrive, the community thrives,” said Deidre DeJear, Program Manager of the Financial Capability Network. “My hope is that, through these workshops, we are going to influence these individual business owners who have the capacity to create jobs and positively impact the communities around them.”

MASTER’S BUSINESS CLASSES

“When individuals thrive, the community thrives” ~Deidre DeJear,

Program Manager of the Financial Capability Network

PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR

Easter Seals Iowa provides exceptional services to

ensure all people with disabilities or special needs,

and their families, have equal opportunities to

live, learn, work and play in their communities. We

provide a wide range of support for children and

adults with disabilities to promote independence

and opportunities throughout their lives. Easter

Seals Iowa gives the gift of hope, creates change

and finds solutions. To put it simply, we believe in

the possibilities. www.eastersealsia.org.

EVELYN K. DAVIS CENTER FOR WORKING FAMILIES COLLABORATING PARTNERSThe Center partners with multiple community organizations to assist people in gaining employment. Community organizations include:

3 Bridgestone

3 Broadlawns Medical Center

3 Capax Infiniti Housing Inc.

3 Central Iowa Center for Independent Living

3 Children and Families First, Inc.

3 Children and Families of Iowa

3 City of Des Moines

3 Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Leadership Circle

3 Creative Visions

3 Des Moines Public Schools

3 DMACC

3 Drake University—Community Engagement and Service Learning

3 Drake University Literacy Center

3 Dress for Success

3 Easter Seals of Iowa

3 Evelyn K. Davis Advisory Committee

3 Evelyn K. Davis Community Committee

3 Evelyn K. Davis Planning Committee

3 Evelyn K. Davis Public Relations Committee

3 Evelyn K. Davis Summer Youth Experience Committee

3 Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

3 Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa

3 Greater Des Moines Partnership

3 Iowa Center for Economic Success

3 Iowa Department of Human Services, Child Support

3 Iowa Department of Natural Resources

3 Iowa Legal Aid

3 Iowa State University Extension

3 Iowa Workforce Development

3 John R. Grubb YMCA

3 Kelly Services

3 Mecca Services

3 Minority Youth & Family Initiatives

3 Optimae LIfeServices

3 Polk County Decategorization

3 Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino

3 Primary Heath Care

3 Principal Charity Classic

3 Principal Summer Classic

3 Project Iowa

3 Proteus, Inc.

3 Society of Humane Resource Managers (SHRM)

3 Spectrum Resources

3 St. Vincent de Paul Society

3 United Health Care

3 United Way of Central Iowa—Building New Careers

3 United Way of Central Iowa

3 Urban Dreams

3 Wells Fargo

“As a community we are incredibly fortunate to have the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families as a leader in finding innovate solutions and partnerships for workforce development initiatives. The Center truly seeks to understand the needs of those they serve. Easter Seals Iowa is incredibly fortunate to partner with the Center to provide case management services on site for clients needing access to disability services. We look forward to the continued success of the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families and are proud to partner with this organization to address community needs.”

Sherri NielsenPresident/CEO of Easter Seals Iowa

~ Services and Solutions That Empower You To Succeed ~

EvelynKDavisCenter.org | 515-697-7700 | 801 University Avenue, Unit 3, Des Moines, IA 50314

Monday–Thursday: 8:00am–6:00pm, Friday: 8:00am–5:00pm, Saturday: 8:00am–1:00pm, Sunday: Closed

5151

-8-1

4-20

0A