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On Monday, March 25th, St. Leo's provided food to 25 ESR families.  Each family was given either a turkey or ham of their choosing and food items needed for Easter dinner to feed their families, along with Easter baskets and or/easter candy items to families with school-aged children.  Goodwill Industries also worked in collaboration with ESR to pick up and deliver the items to our location.  St. Leo's has been a partner with ESR for several years and hosts sponsorships for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas to some of the client families we serve. We are grateful for their continued support and partnership over the years.

ESR's Forsyth Free Tax Program was featured on WXII 12 News for the 2024 tax season. Program assistant, Allison Lizotte spoke about the programs general information, requirements, and the impact this service has on our clients and the community. A very special thank you to our program manager, Cherie Ingram, program assistant, Allison Lizotte, and all of our VITA volunteers! Note: (Incorrect spelling of ESR in the video is no fault of our own. We have made WXII aware of this mistake and corrections of our name in the article are in process of being fixed.)

WINSTON-SALEM – Experiment in Self-Reliance Board of Directors name the new Executive Director of Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). ESR, a local non-profit and leading player in “Empowering Social and Economic Self-Reliance for the working Low-Income and Homeless” has appointed Fred Bazemore as the Executive Director of the agency.  Chartered in 1964, and celebrating 60 years of serving the community, the agency has been fulfilling its mission of helping families help themselves through the assistance of Mr. Bazemore who has been in leadership at ESR for over 20 years. Fred is a native to Tarboro, North Carolina and a graduate of Winston-Salem State University. Prior to joining ESR, he was a former Senior Regional Portfolio Property Manager, Senior Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Director and Housing Finance Director. The new Executive Director extends his commitment to non-profit work beyond his employment through his community activism, serving on many boards and committees that focus on issues around employment, housing, transportation, financial literacy, economic development, and education for the low-income residents of Forsyth County and North Carolina. Fred is a former member of the Piedmont Triad Workforce Development Board and currently serves on the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) Board of Directors, the “CARES” Project Board of Directors, and serves as the Western District Chairman for the NCCAA. When not advocating for the low-income in the community, you can find Fred the “Avid Golfer,” as many know him, on the golf course, participating as an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a member of St. Peter’s World Outreach Center. For more information on ESR, visit www.eisr.org or call 336-722-9400. – –– About ESR ESR is a non-profit Community Action Agency. Its mission is to empower social and economic self-reliance for the working low-income and homeless. Programs serve the working low to moderate income population in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, helping people locate safe and affordable housing, increase their education, attend financial education classes, have their taxes prepared at no cost and more.

Employee Relations Manager – PART TIME ​ Primary Role: ​ The Employee Operations Manager will be responsible for data entry, timesheets, benefits, managing the organizations HR, helping and creating organizational and program training opportunities in collaboration with the Sr. Financial Director, Executive Director and Program Operations Director, and other misc. tasks. This position's primary responsibility is ensuring organizational effectiveness by providing leadership for the organization's employee functions. ​ Reports to: Executive Director ​ Duties: ​ Organizational Effectiveness Improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission -- specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, HR process and organizational planning. Create measurable outcomes to access effectiveness and efficiency of Support Services (HR, Training and EEO Compliance), through improvements to each function as well as coordination and communication between support and business functions. Play a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence. Performs timesheet management, including tabulation of accrued employee benefits and services. Organization of HR documents. Conduct training sessions for clients and community. Oversee employment placement services. Regular meetings with Sr. Finance Director Executive Director around HR related expenses. Supervise and plan contractual services as needed. Improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission -- specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process and organizational planning. Create measurable to access effectiveness and efficiency of Support Services (HR, IT and Finance), through improvements to each function as well as coordination and communication between support and business functions. Play a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence. Oversee overall security management, phone, planning, systems and controls. Development of system related budgets for maintaining and purchasing agency equipment. Inventory tracking for all agency supplies, furniture and donated items. Payroll management, including tabulation of accrued employee benefits and services. Organization of HR documents. Conduct training sessions for clients and community. Oversee employment placement services. Regular meetings with Sr. Finance Director Executive Director around fiscal planning. Supervise and plan contractual services as needed. ​ Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. ​ Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, crawl, bend, stoop, climb, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms, here. The employee frequently required to sit and talk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. ​ Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. ​ Specifications • The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. ​ Licenses, Registrations, Certifications Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation that may be used in the performance of duties. ​ Qualifications: The Employee Relations Manager should possess a 4-year college degree with 3 plus years' experience in technology, logistics and human resources or related field. Must demonstrate a commitment to social justice and the mission. Have excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Be knowledgeable of government contract management and knowledge and experience in organizational effectiveness and operations management implementing best practices. Exhibit leadership and vision in working with staff groups and major projects or initiatives. Have excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style. Budget development and oversight experience. Demonstrates commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace. Excels at operating in a fast pace, community environment. Excellent people manager, open to direction and collaborative work style and commitment to get the job done. Able to challenge and debate issues of importance to the organization and look at situations from several points of view. Be persuasive with details and facts. Delegates responsibilities effectively. Have a high comfort level working in a diverse environment. Excellent working knowledge of computer data entry process, Microsoft Office, and other related software programs.

About Us Our Mission & Vision Experiment in Self-Reliance is a non-profit agency that was chartered in 1964 and has served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community for over 60 years. Our mission is to empower social and economic self-reliance for working low-income and homeless. We are committed to creating a judgement-free zone and treating everyone with respect, all while pursuing our vision of reducing poverty and homelessness in our community. Who We Serve ESR serves the low-moderate income population of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. Clients must meet eligibility criteria (income level, housing situation, etc.). We attempt to connect everyone who walks through our door with the resources they need to attain or regain self-reliance. This could be through enrollment in our programs or through referral to another service provider whose programs are more suited to the individual’s needs. We are a Fair Housing Agency, Equal Opportunity Employer, Community Action Agency, and a United Way Agency. Our History ESR was chartered in 1964 and has served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community for more than 50 years, working to eliminate poverty and homelessness, and help people help themselves. Like its sister Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the nation, ESR was born out of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964. In North Carolina, ESR was one of the original 11 CAAs supported by Governor Terry Sanford’s North Carolina Fund. ​ ESR’s growth during the 1970s and early ‘80s was assured under the leadership of the legendary community servant Louise Wilson. Its mission was preserved and fostered through the 1980s and early ‘90s by Bob Law. ​ ESR played a pivotal role in launching such integral local organizations as Head Start, Crisis Control, TransAid, Legal Aide in its early years before transitioning to the Senior, Youth and Emergency Assistance Services of the middle years. Its efforts under the leadership of Executive Director Twana W. Roebuck aimed to bridge the gaps in ​ welfare-to-work, including promoting long-term self-sufficiency for the working poor, housing for working and chronically homeless, first-time homeownership, tax services, vocational and college education, and Hispanic/Latino services. ESR has been here for the community and its families. ​ We serve hundreds of families in a variety of situations that many of us could conceivably find ourselves in—victims of house fires and domestic violence, those who have encountered a major financial setback due to health care costs, those who have experienced a change in life circumstances such as divorce or death of a family member, and people who are caught up in the endless cycles of generational poverty and chronic homelessness. As ESR passes its 60th anniversary and looks forward into the next half century, the expectation is that it will continue to lead in community action in Forsyth County, and continue to provide a safety net and a hand up to those in need. Our Partnerships As a community leader, ESR collaborates with many community agencies to ensure the growth and enrichment of the community. This helps us ensure that community members can be connected with agencies that are best equipped to provide services for them. Additionally, collaboration limits gaps and overlaps in service that can be wasteful. ​ Below is a partial list of ESR’s partnerships. Partners marked with an asterisk (*) are agencies with which ESR is currently involved on an ongoing basis. At any given time, ESR is actively seeking community connections through which to serve the community and support our programming. Fund Sources City of Winston-Salem Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Department of Labor FEMA Forsyth County Local Banks MDC/EITC Carolinas Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust NC Department of Health & Human Services(OEO) RJ Reynolds/Reynolds American United Way of Forsyth County Winston-Salem Foundation W-S Community & Business Development Dept. ​ Referral Partners Crisis Control Ministries Goodwill Industries greeNest Of Winston-Salem* Legal Aid of North Carolina Local Faith Community* Rescue Mission Samaritan Ministries The Salvation Army Urban League Training, Referral Source, In-Kind American Red Cross Career Connections and Prosperity Center* Department of Commerce Department of Employment Security Forsyth County DSS Forsyth County Health Department Forsyth County Mental Health Department Forsyth Technical Community College* Goodwill Industries* JobLink Career Center* Local Faith Community Lou Baldwin Realty NC Cooperative Extension* Next Step Ministries Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC Salem College* Veteran’s Administration* Wake Forest University* Winston-Salem Housing Authority* Winston-Salem State University* W-S/Forsyth County Homeless Council* Workforce Development Board* Coordinated Intake Center (CIC) * Forsyth Free Tax Resources/Sites Career Connections and Prosperity Center Goodwill Industries Internal Revenue Service Local Banks Local Libraries Malloy Jordan Heritage Center Mi Casa VITA/EITC Engagement Committee Walnut Cove Senior Center Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind Winston-Salem Transit Authority ​ IDA Partners/Resources Center for Home Ownership (CHO) Financial Pathways of the Piedmont* Forsyth County Housing Department* Habitat for Humanity IDA Work Group* Local Banks Local Realtors* NC Housing Finance Agency NC IDA Collaborative* "We believe that every person has the potential to overcome their circumstances and achieve their dreams." 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Self-Sufficiency Self-Sufficiency ​ ​ Helping people help themselves ​ Self-Sufficiency, our signature program, enables you to custom-design your own plan for becoming self-sufficient by improving your income and continuing education. It is based on the premise that with proper planning, information, support, and accountability, virtually everyone can achieve some level of economic self-reliance. ​ The program is conducted through intensive case management. You will be assigned to a caseworker who helps you develop an individualized case plan, tailored to fit your needs and goals with the steps needed to achieve them. Clients can remain in the Self-Sufficiency program for up to two years, during which you’re encouraged to take advantage of the many other activities and programs ESR offers to enhance the development of life skills that will help you to become even more self-sufficient. You also may receive financial assistance as part of your individual case plans. Such assistance may include tuition and books for improving education, childcare assistance, taking higher-paying employment, housing services, transportation, and more. ​ ​ Self-Sufficiency Team ​ All clients are expected to meet with their caseworkers at least monthly. We’ll track your progress and give the necessary support to assist you along the way. This structured program has been documented to be very helpful in assisting clients in improving their job, and income prospects, and helping to create and maintain a stable home life. ​ ​ Who Qualifies ​ All of ESR’s programs, except Information and Referral, are designed to assist low-income households, working homeless families, with at least one member of the household employed. We base enrollment on government standard levels of income, which you must meet in order to qualify. Each case is reviewed by the program staff as a group, which then determines which households will be enrolled. ESR recognizes the needs of community members who are on disability and unemployment, however, our programs are not set up to work with households who rely on these sources as their sole income. United Way, one of our collaborative partners, 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: Be a resident of Forsyth County. Provide a photo ID. Provide Social Security or ITIN card. Provide proof of income (paycheck stub). Meet the DHHS income definitions. Be willing to participate in a structured program. Be willing to accept case management/counseling services including economic literacy training. Be willing to follow an established budget and case plan. Be willing to abide by rules and regulations for residence at ESR’s housing services facilities, if applicable. ​ ​ Service Delivery: ​ Income and Wage Progression Vocational education to improve employment Transportation Child Care Social and Economic Literacy Training Employment Supplies Housing Services 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. If you have interest in this program, contact the Self-Sufficiency Team by calling (336) 722 - 9400 ext. 154 or fill out the form below. Self-Sufficiency Request for more information First name Last name Email Phone Submit Thanks for submitting!