NEW: RI Housing Receives $180,000 for Family Self Sufficiency Aid
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: RI Housing Receives $180,000 for Family Self Sufficiency Aid
Family Self Sufficiency is a program meant to assist and educate individuals and families who receive assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) towards greater achieve economic independence. The federal grant will ensure that Rhode Island Housing’s program service coordinators can continue to connect program participants with much-needed assistance and social services.
“This funding delivers critical services to Rhode Island residents to help them move towards financial success and independence,” said Barbara Fields, HUD New England Regional Administrator.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFamily Self Sufficiency is a voluntary five-year program that assists clients receiving housing vouchers from the state. Working with a Rhode Island Housing FSS program coordinator, participants develop a plan tailored to their individual needs. Depending on the individual, the FSS program coordinator helps connect the participant to social services including child care, transportation, education, job training, employment counseling, financial literacy and homeownership counseling. Through FSS, clients pay into an escrow fund that at the end of their five years can serve as a down payment on a home or an investment in education.
“Our FSS program has a life-changing impact on those we serve, empowering individuals and families in the HCVP program and moving them toward economic independence,” said Richard Godfrey, Executive Director of Rhode Island Housing. “We realize that many families may be closer to financial independence than they realize. The FSS program is designed to offer hard-working families guidance and support to help them gain the skills and experience necessary to obtain jobs, meet their personal goals and achieve financial independence. We’re proud to be an administrator of this program and look forward to helping many more individuals and families throughout the year.”
Rhode Island Housing has served as an FSS program administrator over 20 years and currently has 140 active participants enrolled in the program. Of the 140, over 65 percent have established savings accounts. Since 2009, 37 families have graduated from the program and have collectively received more than $330,000 in savings.
Francisca Garcia is one FSS program graduate, and her gratitude for the service it provides could not be clearer. Currently employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Francisca works full time to support her three children. She also attends school part time with the goal of completing her bachelor’s degree in social work, a career that will allow her to give back to many, as others have done for her. “Without the assistance from this program, I would be in a lot of trouble,” said Francisca. “As a single mother, both working and trying to receive an education, it is very difficult. I don’t have to worry; my home makes me feel secure.”
Eligible families and individuals who are interested in achieving self sufficiency are encouraged to apply to participate in the FSS program. To learn more about the FSS program, please contact Maryrose Mensah by phone at 401-457-1106 or via email at [email protected].
10 Historically Bold Moves Made By Big Companies
10. RJ Reynolds
The Smokeless Cigarette
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In 1988, long after the American public wised up to the dangers of cigarettes, RJ Reynolds launched the Premier cigarette. They called it a “smokeless nicotine delivery mechanism that looks and feels like a premium cigarette.” It didn't. Smokers said it tasted like charcoal, and drug users quickly figured out how to use it to smoke crack. It has been reported that RJ Reynolds lost $1 billion on the product.
9. McDonald's
The McLobster
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The alleged lobster roll – no one's sure there was ever any real lobster in there – from McDonald's was about as successful in New England as their McCrabcake was in Maryland. It looked bad, tasted worse, and was shunned by even the most die hard Golden Arches fans. (Unlike the McRib, which continues to have a bewildering trance on McDonald's fans.) The sandwich is still available in some Canadian franchises and occasionally in Maine.
8. Yahoo
Bans Employees From Working at Home
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7. Sony
Backs Betamax
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6. Tesla
Enters the Auto Market with High End Electric
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5. Apple
Fires Steve Jobs
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One of the world's most famous college drop outs, Steve Jobs founded Apple, helped it grow into a billion-plus public company, and launched the Macintosh. He was also ousted by Apple's Board of Directors in 1985. The popular take is that the board was stupid to fire Jobs as the leader of the Mac division, because Apple would have more quickly become the company it is today. A new take on the decision posits that the then-30-year old Jobs was disruptive and incompetent in that role. After 12 years away from the company he founded, he learned the skills and discipline required for Apple's rebirth.
4. Microsoft
Takes on Sony + Nintendo in the Console Gaming Market
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Microsoft has one person to thank for its console gaming success, and that person isn't even real. Master Chief is the hero of the insanely popular "Halo" franchise, which was first released was a launch title with the original Xbox. The game revolutionized First Person Shooters on consoles, and sold millions of consoles along the way. At the time, Microsoft was known as primarily a software company. They may have took a bath on those early consoles, but they now join Sony as one of the two major console makers left standing. (Sorry, Nintendo. The Wii U is going to sink you.)
3. Netflix
Changes Pricing Plan
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Netflix is back on top now, but it almost went under in 2011 when it mishandled its pricing changes and attempted to slice off it DVD business under the name Qwikster. As they did with the New Coke launch, customers responded with immediate anger, leading Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to apologize. The company reverted to its $7.99 streaming plan and has never looked back.
2. Ford
Opts out of Government Loans
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After Detroit’s automakers went to Washington in 2008 asking for emergency loans to keep their enterprises afloat, the big bus oval was the only one to opt out of the bailout. Ford decided to mortgage all of its assets to raise operating funds instead. Taxpayers eventually spent $80 billion to rescue General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Corp. Ford focused on efficiency and increasing sales without using government bailout money - thus avoiding the federal tinkering that Chrysler and GM had to accept as a part of their deals. The company has since kept pace with GM, the country's largest automaker.
1. Coke
New Coke
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Perhaps the most famous brand misstep since Ford's Edsel, New Coke is the Titanic of corporate miscalculation. In the 1970s and early 80s, the soft drink giant faced increased competition from Pepsi and other products. To stay on top, Coke executives stopped production of the classic formula and introduced New Coke with tremendous fanfare. The public's responded with immediate outrage. Coca-Cola re-launched its original formula – called Coca-Cola Classic – almost immediately. Today, unopened cans of New Coke go for hundreds on eBay.
