New Foundations (NF) is an innovative, residential program designed to provide educational and employment opportunities to low-income, single parents to enable them to earn higher wages to support their families, and remove the need for State and Federal funding.
While in the NF program, participants live in a beautiful, furnished apartment for up to two (2) years while they work on furthering their education and gaining employment to their maximum potential. Participants receive all the supports necessary to prevent a cycle of poverty that can be passed on to the next generation.
In January of 2015, we started working with low-income, single parents and their children. Single-parent families at the greatest risk of homelessness are given priority placement in the program.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 80% of the school aged children in Lamoille County are being raised by single parents. Single parent homes are the “norm” in this area. We have been receiving many of our referrals from the Head Start program. They report to us that 25% of the families they are visiting with children ages 0 to 5 are being raised by single parents, solely without partners.NF helps to move single parents out of a life of poverty (oftentimes generational poverty) and into a life of self-sufficiency and independence by giving them the tools they need to succeed. By taking the worry of housing off the table for our participants, we allow them to concentrate on improving their lives for themselves and their families.
Below is a sample timeline we use for all participants. The dates may be different depending on when the participant enters into our program.
• New participants are given two weeks’ time to unpack, set up the apartment, get to know the neighborhood, and do general housekeeping chores such as address change, open bank accounts, etc. They will meet with the Program Manager 3-5 times weekly during this transition time for anything they may need assistance with.
• August thru Sept. 1: work with participants to secure financial aid for school, secure childcare, secure necessary financial resources. Provide referrals to other community resources, including Head Start, the Lamoille Family Center (childcare and parenting classes), and local healthcare professionals.
• Sept. 1: The participants will be enrolled in the education facility of their choice no later than September 1. During this time, they will be meeting with the Program Manager 2-4 times a week, to finalize any school matters, including transportation.
• Mid-September (Phase 2) The Program Manager and the participant will have also met by this time to secure an individual family case plan, with an accurate timeline for the participant to have finished their education, explore employment opportunities (usually the last 6 weeks of the education) and start working on resume and cover letters.
• Sept. thru May: meet weekly with participants on their education plans, securing tutors (if needed), purchasing books and other materials needed for school.
• August: (One year into the program or upon completion of their education-which ever may come first) With one year left in the program, participants start the transition to working full time. The Program Manager will meet with them once a week to continue working with them on their individual case plan. This time will also include a Ready to Rent program, financial education, set up monthly program fees (if applicable), and monitoring of their budget and spending, as this is a critical time for savings in order to move out of the program successfully and secure in their independence.
Participants must take the lead in their own case plan and follow-through on all assignments. They must be in regular communication with the Program Manager and attend all appointments and meetings. They must get passing grades in all their classes, and secure employment to their maximum potential.
New Foundations uses a results based accountability measuring system. Upon program completion, they must answer a series of exit questions in writing. We maintain working relationships with all participants at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 18 months and 2 years post program.
“Housing first” is a new model for Vermonters. Many were unsure of how this idea would work, but New Foundations is living proof that when you take the stress of housing off the table, amazing things can happen for families.
We have recently secured $150,000 in capital campaign funds to purchase a second building and expand our program. Lamoille County does not have any homeless shelters at this time. We are the only program of this style in Northern Vermont, and we accept applications from all of Northern Vermont.
