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Reaching your goals takes dedication and a team that has your back. The East Tennessee Collaborative program helps families reach financial stability and independence.
A thriving community is where everyone can earn a livable wage, grow their savings and achieve economic mobility.
According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, most people born into poverty live their entire life stuck in poverty. This is not because they lack motivation or work ethic but due to a
system that does not support achievement of self-sufficiency.
In Knox County, 14 percent of people earn below the federal poverty level while another 26 percent are considered ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed). This means 40 percent of our Knox County neighbors cannot make ends meet on their income alone.
United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) is helping families overcome hurdles to reach financial independence and break the cycle of poverty through our East Tennessee Collaborative program (ETC). ETC empowers parents and caregivers to achieve their goals and create a brighter future for their family. It is a collective effort of local organizations committed to supporting people on their journey to financial freedom.
Through ETC, participants have access to resources such as mentoring, career planning, basic needs assistance and skill enhancement. Whether people want to get out of debt, become homeowners, buy a car, pursue higher education or change their career path, ETC is there to help.
Interested in learning more about this free program? Contact our team at etc@unitedwayknox.org.
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As a single mom, Ronnisha has worked diligently to care for her family and has pushed through hard circumstances to achieve many milestones. Ronnisha joined ETC to get help finding housing. After settling into her new home, she now works with her mentor on long-term goals. Alongside her mentor, Ronnisha is pursuing her master’s degree, working through chronic health issues and learning to celebrate small wins along the way.
Over the past few years, Dylan and Savanna have turned their life around. When they first met, they were homeless and their three kids were in foster care. They worked hard to find jobs and get their kids back, but without an adequate safety net, they were living in a state of constant fear that one small setback would ruin everything. Since joining ETC, they have found new hope and possibilities. Their mentor has helped them create a budget to pay off debt, secure better paying jobs, advocate for their kids’ healthcare needs and plan for a brighter future.
East Tennessee Collaborative is a part of a study funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services which is being conducted to determine how these pilot programs help people improve their economic well-being and become self-sufficient. During the study, all new eligible applicants will be selected by lottery into one of two groups that receives a different mix of program services.
Email our team at info@unitedwayknox.org.
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