EMERGE MOTHERS ACADEMY

The long-term goals of Emerge Mothers Academy are to:
*Help single moms develop long-term financial stability, independence, and self-sufficiency.
*Build intragenerational stability for families.
*Empower women toward successful careers and entrepreneurship.
*Create a stronger community by increasing family stability and success.

In 2022 our goals include:
(Goal 1) INCREASE THE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND STABILITY OF SINGLE MOMS by providing work preparation and job placement services to up to 15 moms (120 service hours); engaging 10+ moms in in-person financial literacy instruction, engaging 15 moms in our financial literacy education webinar and augmenting the content with one-on-one support; providing MicroLoan Grants (up to $5,500) and business mentoring to 1-2 entrepreneurial moms; supporting 3 moms through homeownership classes and individualized coaching; and connecting 5 moms with free car repairs.

(Goal 2) INCREASE THE STABILITY, WELL-BEING, & INDEPDENDENC OF SINGLE MOMS by providing 40 single moms with short-term material support (food & essentials) to help them maintain or achieve stability through a time of crisis or transition and hosting well-being promoting events for 50+ moms (e.g., holiday gifts and meals, Mother's Day brunch and photoshoot, etc.). We will also transition to a new model of vetting and building relationships with several diverse mental health practitioners and create a "referral catalog" to be used by our in-house client advocate to connect clients with mental health practitioners that fit their unique needs in terms of expertise, background, race/ethnicity, etc. This new model will equip EMA's client advocate to connect clients with vetted mental health practitioners that fit their unique needs.

(Goal 3) CREATE COMMUNITY-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES AND GROW A STRONGER SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SINGLE MOMS by offering 16-20 small-group classes (200+ duplicated moms) focused on practical parenting skills with opportunities to connect with and learn from other moms and subject matter experts, connecting 10+ moms with a one-on-one mentor who has lived experience as a single mom, hosting 3-4 in-person events with clients and mentors to help single moms grow their proverbial "village", and continuing our partnership with Raise the Barr by offering 3 single moms emergency grants or college scholarships alongside EMA's supportive services.

Since our founding in 2012, EMA has reached 483 families (with 1,205 children) and we continue to grow and expand our impact for Twin Cities based mom-led families.

In 2021, EMA strengthened mom-led families and helped them navigate the continued effects of the pandemic by:
*Reaching 240 mom-led households (and their 435 kids); a 225% increase over the previous year.
*Equipping moms to obtain new or better employment through work preparation and job placement support; with clients realizing an average salary increase of $22,080.
*Providing $18,000+ in emergency financial and material support to moms (rent and utility assistance, groceries, prepared meals, bus passes, diapers, formula, newborn supplies, household necessities, etc.)
*Providing 1000+ hours of clinical Social Work & Counseling to more than 50 families.
*Helping two single moms grow their own business by providing them with MircroLoan grants and one-on-one business mentoring.
*Hosting 10 weekly Parenting Classes with an average of 12 women each week (119 duplicate).
*Pairing 5 clients with mentors who have lived experience as a single parent and can provide positive and constructive support for the moms.
*Equipping 2 clients to complete homeownership classes.
*Creating opportunities for mom-led families to connect through wellness promoting events including a free prepared Thanksgiving meal (for 20 families), holiday gifts (for 26 moms and their 70 kids), Mother’s Day brunch and family photoshoot (for 7 EMA families and 30 other guests), etc.