SAVE THE DATE
Celebrating 5 Years
of Success and Innovation!
We invite you to The NetWork for Better Futures Annual Breakfast Celebration. We want to extend our gratitude to you and our many supporters.
Contact Sarah Satterberg if you have questions: ssatterberg@betterfutures.net
When
Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 7:30-9 am
Where
International Market Square
275 Market Street, Studio 185
Minneapolis, MN 55405
We hope to see you there! |
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New Housing Community
Through our partnership with Alliance Housing Inc., seven NetWork participants moved into new studio apartments on December 1, 2012. This housing opportunity is a positive step toward independent living. To qualify, participants must be employed outside The NetWork earning a wage that will support their share of the rent, be fully engaged with their life coach and attending community meetings.
We also want to congratulate Derek Poe, a NetWork Alumni who accepted the position as caretaker for this property. |
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Dear Friends, Policymakers, Investors, and Customers,
As we complete our fifth year of building an innovative enterprise, we want to thank you for contributing to our success. Your support has helped us serve 650 high-risk men, employ 370, and generate promising results such as increased employment, increased child support payments, reduced return to prison rates, and better health outcomes. 
The NetWork is a social change enterprise that is building a movement to help create a healthy and vibrant community of men, workers, fathers, and citizens.
Our focus for 2013 is to support the personal transformation of high-risk men, produce measurable results, and move closer to long term financial stability. Our key strategies will include:
- Creating full time jobs
- Offering on the job training opportunities
- Developing gateways to long term employment
- Fully implementing trauma-informed care techniques
- Further developing our integrated set of supports
We wish you much peace, joy and good health in the New Year.
The Board, staff and men of The NetWork |
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Partnership with The NetWork for Better Futures keeps waste out of landfills
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners renewed their partnership with The NetWork for Better Futures and approved up to $250,000 in funding to implement projects that divert waste from landfills. In addition to reusing and recycling waste, the agreement provides for training and employment of people who might otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.
We appreciate the on-going partnership with Hennepin County and their commitment to the needs of our community. |
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Participant Letter
Here is letter written by Jermaine Davis, a NetWork participant, sent to Barb Jeanetta, Director of Membership Services, expressing how he feels about being engaged with The NetWork:
Barb,
I woke up feeling excited about life and loving The NetWork. So many resources have fallen in my lap and every day I appreciate this enterprise. So, tell everyone at the office that if they get to thinking that the road is getting rough, think of Jermaine Davis and his smile because he rarely smiled before now.
Have a good day Barb, and NetWork people.
Jermaine |
Overcoming Barriers to Employment: The NetWork Job Club
Upon enrolling in The NetWork, approximately 98% of men are unemployed. Having a criminal record and lacking work experience are barriers to full-time employment that many NetWork men encounter while transiting from incarceration. At The NetWork, we plan to change this one man at a time.
This fall, The NetWork began a job club, providing one-one-one and classroom job coaching. Tamuno Imbu, a NetWork life coach, leads the job club. He assists with the preparation of resumes and cover letters, on-line job applications and follow-up with potential employers. "The men I work with have the desire to work but need help overcoming the lack of a work history and their criminal record."
To help improve employment opportunities for NetWork participants, Imbu is developed relationships with the Workforce Center and temp agencies. "Building relationships with these agencies is a win-win situation for everyone."
Although the Job Club is in its infancy, we are confident that we are helping men get on a successful pathway to independence and employment. |
NetWork Participant Contributes to First Retirement Plan
 Being incarcerated for over two years gave Marquais Burns plenty of time to reflect on his life choices. Upon release from prison, Burns started looking for positive ways to change and improve his life. His primary goals were to get a job and go back to school. He joined The NetWork community and has been working in deconstruction for over seven months. "I was looking at my future and I want to retire one day, so I signed up for the (NetWork's) retirement plan. I started saving so I would be prepared for the future" said Burns.
At this time Burns lives at The NetWork guest house and plans to save money to move into independent housing. "I plan to start school in January to obtain an Electrical Design and Management Certificate. Long term, I want to start my own business." When asked what inspires him to stay focused even when things get tough he said "my children inspire me to work hard." Burns has a four year old daughter and a two year old son.
We are proud of you Marquais, keep up the good work! |
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