The Self-Sufficiency program at ESR is designed to help low-income working households to escape poverty and increase their standard of living and their social and economic self-reliance. Those who are enrolled in the Self-Sufficiency program can expect one-on-one counseling to help them meet their goals.

ESR seeks to accomplish its mission through intensive case management. Each client is assigned to a caseworker who will help them develop an individualized case plan, tailored to fit his or her needs and goals. The case plan details those goals, and the steps needed to achieve them. Clients can remain in the Self-Sufficiency program for up to two years, during which they are encouraged to take advantage of the many activities and programs ESR offers to enhance the development of life skills that will help them become self-sufficient. Clients may also receive financial assistance as part of their individual case plans. Such assistance may include tuition and books for improving education, childcare assistance so that a parent can attend classes or take higher paying employment, transitional housing, transportation and more. Emergency assistance is also available in some circumstances, in the interest of preventing clients from becoming homeless or in other crisis situations.

Self-Sufficiency Team

Clients are expected to meet with their caseworkers at least monthly, so that progress on their case plans can be noted, and they can be given the necessary support to help them along their way. This structured program has been documented to be very helpful in assisting clients in improving their job and income prospects, and in helping them to create and maintain a stable home life.

Who Qualifies

All of ESR's programs except Information and Referral are designed to assist households with low-incomes, with at least one member of the household employed, including working homeless families. We base enrollment on government standard levels of income, which clients must meet in order to qualify. Each case is reviewed by the program staff as a group, which then determines which households are enrolled in the program.

While ESR recognizes the needs of community members who are on disability and unemployment, our programs are not set up to work with households who rely on these sources for their sole income. United Way, one of our collaborative partners in many of our programs, provides an information service where those who seek assistance can locate the agency that is best suited to meet their needs. This information service can be accessed by dialing 2-1-1.

Requirements

To become enrolled in ESR's Self-Sufficiency Program, you must:

Service Delivery :

Income and Wage Progression
Vocational education to improve employment
Transportation
Child Care
Social and Economic Literacy Training
Employment Supplies
Transitional Housing
Permanent Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
Budgeting and Financial Education
Family Stability and Domestic Violence
Mental/Substance Abuse
Incarceration and criminal activity

The maximum amount of time for service delivery is two years.  The clients’ graduation is determined by self sufficiency performance outcomes established by the agency. 

Self-Sufficiency Team – (336) 722-9400

Fred Bazemore, Manager – Ext. 407
Obie Acevedo, Case Manager – Ext. 419
Beverly Alexander, Case Manager – Ext. 401
Debra Bradshaw, Case Manager – Ext. 403
Wanda Hallums, Case Manager – Ext. 408
Deborah Joyner, Case Manager – Ext. 405