THE UPWARD INITIATIVE
Combating the system that has built itself around the struggle of a family is something we are very passionate about. We are opposing what causes disillusionment, fear and complacency.
We here at Lotus, are committed to a big picture approach, ensuring that people are invested for the long term success of a family, and a holistic concept towards upward mobility. This entails what will bring about stability, character and emotional growth, and working on the core six set in our program.
We deeply desire to one day wake up, and have worked ourselves out of a job, having met the needs of our community, and seeing that every family is on a path towards success.
We here at Lotus, are committed to a big picture approach, ensuring that people are invested for the long term success of a family, and a holistic concept towards upward mobility. This entails what will bring about stability, character and emotional growth, and working on the core six set in our program.
We deeply desire to one day wake up, and have worked ourselves out of a job, having met the needs of our community, and seeing that every family is on a path towards success.
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Often, in our line of work, organizations tend to focus on what is needed, and what is lacking more than the role, resources, and influences we have now to make the greatest impact.
Organizations rely on their model of moving the family to their definition of what they would define as upward mobility. The method quickly becomes overly structured in which the family becomes stagnant and not able to build a path to prosperity based on the individual needs, goals, and talents of that family. |
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According to the 2019 census estimate, Arizona has 13.5 percent of residents living in poverty. In the state, between 2014 - 2015 the state government, along with contributions from the federal government, spent 62.75%, or $25.5 billion, of its $40.6 billion budget, on social and economic opportunity programs (education, early education intervention, public assistance programs, public health care aid [including Medicaid and CHIP], economic and housing programs, etc.), according to Ballotpedia. And, this doesn't include private contributions, grants, and direct federal aid.
Currently in social work, a top down model of doing things is the norm. Those at the top, dictate the resources. (Lotus offers a program where the mother chooses and deems what they feel is important.) The current way penalizes growth and independence (financial). The higher the economic ladder you climb, the less support one receives. This means that many families have to sacrifice their vision for tomorrow, in order to survive today’s needs; sell your tomorrow for today. The less one needs us, the more we pull back.
Currently in social work, a top down model of doing things is the norm. Those at the top, dictate the resources. (Lotus offers a program where the mother chooses and deems what they feel is important.) The current way penalizes growth and independence (financial). The higher the economic ladder you climb, the less support one receives. This means that many families have to sacrifice their vision for tomorrow, in order to survive today’s needs; sell your tomorrow for today. The less one needs us, the more we pull back.
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By giving those in need the most resources and attention, we have created a “market” out of the need. This has cynically and inadvertently kept people employed (social workers, case managers, crisis programs, community leaders, etc.) by always needing struggling people “to help,” without rewarding long-term growth. Just as in real estate you need people to sell houses, in social work you need people who have nothing, in order for you to have a job to give them resources. But rarely does this move them from the place they are at now, to the position of independence.
Even programs with the best intentions, by focusing solely on the need, end up stretching themselves too thin, and not able to aim for quality and ending the cycle the family faces once and for all. It shouldn’t be a question of how many people need our help, but how is our help of quality to take someone from destitute to thriving? |
A mentality has been cultivated by those needing help as well. They end up limited in their own vision of themselves, because that is the message that has been sent. An accepted narrative that even left unsaid is spoken loudly and internalized deeply.
The people needing help, expect the bar to be low, based on the norms, that they cannot / should not achieve more. In the sense that it does not reward them to grow, it does not ask them to move forward. By not asking anything of them, it traps them.
It is, at the end of the day, to their benefit to succeed. Having our program set to require obligations from them, while they're in our care and receiving our support, we can move them upward.
Other programs set the standard low, or lower the bar, so they “succeed.” A belittling is expressed as in “this is all you are, and ever will be.” Instead of looking at it as an opportunity, it is a forever ill. A closed-minded approach is made for them. The lack of efficient effort by those in charge, and an inadequate vision leads to a waste of resources for very little in return. It is just a job, with very little creativity, innovation, and accessibility (“don’t contact me after 5:00 p.m.”). It is a system of case management that continues to hunt down free resources, instead of equipping the woman and family to take on the world.
This attitude is so pervasive. Even when a mother has a good head on her shoulders, she has to fight against the system outlined above, in order to maintain and be able to move forward.
The people needing help, expect the bar to be low, based on the norms, that they cannot / should not achieve more. In the sense that it does not reward them to grow, it does not ask them to move forward. By not asking anything of them, it traps them.
It is, at the end of the day, to their benefit to succeed. Having our program set to require obligations from them, while they're in our care and receiving our support, we can move them upward.
Other programs set the standard low, or lower the bar, so they “succeed.” A belittling is expressed as in “this is all you are, and ever will be.” Instead of looking at it as an opportunity, it is a forever ill. A closed-minded approach is made for them. The lack of efficient effort by those in charge, and an inadequate vision leads to a waste of resources for very little in return. It is just a job, with very little creativity, innovation, and accessibility (“don’t contact me after 5:00 p.m.”). It is a system of case management that continues to hunt down free resources, instead of equipping the woman and family to take on the world.
This attitude is so pervasive. Even when a mother has a good head on her shoulders, she has to fight against the system outlined above, in order to maintain and be able to move forward.
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All of this is compounded by an attitude our families frequently face when our mothers are leaving behind toxic behaviors. A “do not forget where you come from” mentality. There are loyalties expected to be in place, valued and acted upon no matter how healthy or unhealthy the behavior is deemed.
This can be a tremendous burden, a catch-22 of trying to leave behind a life to raise a healthier family, or staying with people in which camaraderie was built and entrusted. |
One is supposed to keep integrity in whatever community they represent, proudly with obligation, and a nonconforming attitude towards wider society. Those who do leave, are expected to make accommodating measures to all still left behind. To "give back" to the community no matter how healthy or unhealthy these relationships may be.
It is time this culture of how we, as a whole, view helping our fellow brothers and sisters comes to an end! That the individual is seen and respected in full, and supported with dignity.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE CHANGE.
We aim to see no family fall through. To see no family stand without an advocate. To see no family live without a path to prosperity.
To see every family built-up in their own distinct identity, with dignity, health, authenticity, freedom and resiliency.
Each family that comes into our care is given an individualized option as to the services they will receive. These are a set of assistance proposals. In addition to the direct housing / utility support from Lotus, this can also include daycare allowances, a healthcare stipend, counseling, a food account, transportation allotment, toiletries, schooling needs, etc.
Having listed their short and long term goals, the family will decide where to allot the support from Lotus, while under the discretion of PRMI.
The $6,504, the cost for housing a whole family in Lotus for 12 to 16 weeks, goes directly to the services designated to each family while enrolled.
While in Lotus, it is required for our mothers to hold down full-time employment. An agreed upon savings goal is built up over the course of their stay, placing a percentage of funds into an account to advance towards their future independence. This means the family is bringing in an income, for themselves and their children, that Lotus tracks with monthly progress reports.
$26,200* 2019 federal poverty rate for a family of four - divided by 12 months is,
$2,183.33 needed monthly to pull a family out of the federal definition
The $6,504 Lotus total stay cost divided over 4 months gives a dividend of $1,626.00 monthly (if hypothetically Lotus were to assist over twelve months the sum would be $19,512.00.)
A $557.33 monthly difference between what the federal poverty line is defined as, and what Lotus offsets in assistance, is met by the additional income the family is earning.
THIS MEANS THAT WHILE IN LOTUS, THE AVERAGE FAMILY, HAS BEEN PULLED OUT OF POVERTY BY THE MONTHLY MEASURE, WITH THE FAMILY FULLY ENGAGED IN THEIR OWN PROGRESS!!! Very few organizations can say that!!! It is OUR JOB to ensure the growth is sustained long term, by focusing on outcomes not just “the need.”
It is time this culture of how we, as a whole, view helping our fellow brothers and sisters comes to an end! That the individual is seen and respected in full, and supported with dignity.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE CHANGE.
We aim to see no family fall through. To see no family stand without an advocate. To see no family live without a path to prosperity.
To see every family built-up in their own distinct identity, with dignity, health, authenticity, freedom and resiliency.
Each family that comes into our care is given an individualized option as to the services they will receive. These are a set of assistance proposals. In addition to the direct housing / utility support from Lotus, this can also include daycare allowances, a healthcare stipend, counseling, a food account, transportation allotment, toiletries, schooling needs, etc.
Having listed their short and long term goals, the family will decide where to allot the support from Lotus, while under the discretion of PRMI.
The $6,504, the cost for housing a whole family in Lotus for 12 to 16 weeks, goes directly to the services designated to each family while enrolled.
While in Lotus, it is required for our mothers to hold down full-time employment. An agreed upon savings goal is built up over the course of their stay, placing a percentage of funds into an account to advance towards their future independence. This means the family is bringing in an income, for themselves and their children, that Lotus tracks with monthly progress reports.
$26,200* 2019 federal poverty rate for a family of four - divided by 12 months is,
$2,183.33 needed monthly to pull a family out of the federal definition
The $6,504 Lotus total stay cost divided over 4 months gives a dividend of $1,626.00 monthly (if hypothetically Lotus were to assist over twelve months the sum would be $19,512.00.)
A $557.33 monthly difference between what the federal poverty line is defined as, and what Lotus offsets in assistance, is met by the additional income the family is earning.
THIS MEANS THAT WHILE IN LOTUS, THE AVERAGE FAMILY, HAS BEEN PULLED OUT OF POVERTY BY THE MONTHLY MEASURE, WITH THE FAMILY FULLY ENGAGED IN THEIR OWN PROGRESS!!! Very few organizations can say that!!! It is OUR JOB to ensure the growth is sustained long term, by focusing on outcomes not just “the need.”
Thus, the $6,504.00 is reasonable to ask for, as a family of four is now able to grow into their own, eliminating the past crisis, and a high probability of breaking a generational cycle.
Lotus makes it a mission to house 12 families (average number per family is 4, or 96 individuals in just two cities) each year, in our focus cities.
We want to be upfront with you in regards to our yearly budget to maintain an open rapport with our communities.
WE ARE THE ALTERNATIVE - THE STEPPING STONE TO SOMETHING BETTER
In the coming decade we want to work on building additional in program services to address upward mobility. It is our objective at the close of their time with us, to not leave them vulnerable again to a lifestyle, and / or people with bad intentions. So much of what we do is building up the mom, to know that she can work hard and achieve all in her heart. Therefore, a continued friendship occurs with her, to inspire and encourage her to go after it!
Offering a broader network to our families after graduation: expanded apartment search, giving our families up to $500 in down payment assistance, work to further support them by including quality daycare stipends to in program and alumni families, discounted car repair rates, furnishings for their new homes, continued education scholarships (University, Community College, Tech), legal aid and representation, emergency healthcare funding, credit building programs, and first time home buying opportunities. This is what we mean by building community.
We are building dignified ways out, that are resilient long term, for them to construct a life that is of quality and value, in which they can and will be proud.
Our community is our investor. We sow back into our neighborhoods directly in giving a hand up to a better life. We need our community to not just see the need but be the solution, and sustain the solution.
If we want to see our next generation built up with resiliency, authenticity, individuality, and opportunities, WE WILL HAVE TO ANSWER THE CALL. Invest into your community today!
*Source: US Department of Health and Human Services
Lotus makes it a mission to house 12 families (average number per family is 4, or 96 individuals in just two cities) each year, in our focus cities.
We want to be upfront with you in regards to our yearly budget to maintain an open rapport with our communities.
WE ARE THE ALTERNATIVE - THE STEPPING STONE TO SOMETHING BETTER
In the coming decade we want to work on building additional in program services to address upward mobility. It is our objective at the close of their time with us, to not leave them vulnerable again to a lifestyle, and / or people with bad intentions. So much of what we do is building up the mom, to know that she can work hard and achieve all in her heart. Therefore, a continued friendship occurs with her, to inspire and encourage her to go after it!
Offering a broader network to our families after graduation: expanded apartment search, giving our families up to $500 in down payment assistance, work to further support them by including quality daycare stipends to in program and alumni families, discounted car repair rates, furnishings for their new homes, continued education scholarships (University, Community College, Tech), legal aid and representation, emergency healthcare funding, credit building programs, and first time home buying opportunities. This is what we mean by building community.
We are building dignified ways out, that are resilient long term, for them to construct a life that is of quality and value, in which they can and will be proud.
Our community is our investor. We sow back into our neighborhoods directly in giving a hand up to a better life. We need our community to not just see the need but be the solution, and sustain the solution.
If we want to see our next generation built up with resiliency, authenticity, individuality, and opportunities, WE WILL HAVE TO ANSWER THE CALL. Invest into your community today!
*Source: US Department of Health and Human Services
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