1. One community’s collective approach to promote financial stability and job retention for lower-wage employees Lisa Falcone, Working Bridges Project Director Prepared for WFSN in Detroit, MI 11/8/13 Copyright United Way of Chittenden County

2. City of Burlington Vermont’s largest city Population: 40,000 Photo by Stephen Mease

3. Employee experiences barrier(s) to work Unable to connect with resources Job performance declines Absence and turnover Our Emerging Model How Life Happens: Before Working Bridges Copyright United Way of Chittenden County

4. What is Working Bridges? A public-private, multi-sector, employer collaborative convened and managed by United Way of Chittenden County Focus: On business solutions—job retention and decreased absenteeism Strategies: Shared resources to minimize employment barriers and improve financial stability of lower-wage earners Employers are the innovators and testers of key strategies Copyright United Way of Chittenden County

5. Scope of Working Bridges Training for employers about economic class Employer Workgroup (ERN)  Changing policies and practices Shared On-site Resource Coordinator Key Strategies at workplaces Employee Loan/Saving Program On-site Financial Literacy Workshops and Coaching On-site GED, ELL Classes Mobile Volunteer Tax Preparation/EITC program Evaluation—measure retention and productivity (RBA) Copyright United Way of Chittenden County

6. Results: Results: The Triple Lens Accessing resources Retaining jobs Improving financial stability Standard practice – privacy and dignity Low cost, highly valued employee benefit Changing policies and practices Retaining workers, saving turnover costs Understanding poverty and its impact Benefitting from collective response Stronger employers More stable family incomes, local spending Copyright United Way of Chittenden County Employees Employers Community

7. WORKING BRIDGES AT RHINO FOODS WORKINGBRIDGES.ORG WORKING BRIDGES ON PBS WB PRESCRIPTION FOR SAVINGS WORKING BRIDGES AT RHINO FOODS WORKINGBRIDGES.ORG WORKING BRIDGES ON PBS WB PRESCRIPTION FOR SAVINGS CONTACT: LISA FALCONE, 802-861-7825 VISIT: UNITEDWAYCC.ORGLISA FALCONEUNITEDWAYCC.ORG More About Working Bridges Copyright United Way of Chittenden County