Our mission: to build vibrant and diverse neighborhoods with homes that are affordable to families with a mix of incomes, where people choose to invest in the social fabric, economic opportunities and built environment

Our Investment Strategies Foundation of Place Network of People Residents with Resources To foster a resilient social fabric and civic infrastructure Grounded in principles of environmental and financial sustainability. We are here for the long-term. To strengthen markets and expand affordable housing To increase economic stability and resilience

Claudia Cifuentes Adaliz

Language Barrier: 40% speak little or no English, limiting employment opportunities. Limited Education: 50% of adults lack a high school diploma. 70% lack post secondary education. Our Families Face Complex Challenges Unemployment: 16% unemployment in the communities we serve Banking: 50% of households have no bank accounts Poverty: 50% of our households are low-income. 1 in 3 households make less than $25,000 a year Savings: 50% of our clients have no savings and no financial cushion for emergencies Social Capital: lack of personal & professional networks make it hard to meet life challenges & find work

The Mission of CONNECT Financial Education & Services Employment Skill Development Income & Housing Stabilization One-on-One Coaching & Peer Networks To integrate resources to address the community’s needs in one central and supportive location while nurturing social networks to provide the “glue” for each individual’s journey toward economic security

INSERT CONNECT THEORY OF CHANGE

Claudia Cifuentes First came to CONNECT for financial coaching. Enrolled in financial workshops and enrolled in the family self- sufficiency savings program Re-enrolled in Bunker Hill college and graduated with an Associates in Accounting “The biggest lesson that I have learned is to never give up. That no matter how hard things may seem, there is always a way forward.” Adaliz Increased her credit score by 50 points through budgeting for paying off debt Will transfer to UMass Boston to complete her Bachelor’s and is actively saving for her son’s education

Building CONNECT For Lasting Impact

BUILD OFF WHAT WE KNOW IS WORKING: Clients that access multiples services are more likely to achieve positive change in key financial outcomes… Success is: An increased number of CONNECT clients are bundling services # of services accessed by participants % with a key outcome 112.9% 236.5% 370.4% % with net income going up % with net worth going up % with FICO credit score going up 10.8%9.4%5.8% 36.5%24.1%6.6% 51.9%25.9%18.5%

BUILD OFF WHAT WE KNOW IS WORKING: Peer Support programming multiplies impact! Success is: Expand opportunities to access peer support programming