Dallas County WorkSource Model Site
The Dallas County WorkSource Model Site implements a system of services that complement economic development by serving as a resource for employers to access the quality employees they need, and training individuals to be successfully employed. The mission of the WorkSource model site is to provide its clients with a competitive advantage by nurturing the ability of people to think, to identify and analyze problems, and to work cooperatively to solve them. The Money Smart financial education program is an integral part of its job preparedness program. All ten modules of Money Smart are made available at this model site allowing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program clients and GED students to meet their required hours of financial education. Classes are held every other month and have an average of 10 students per session.

In addition to Money Smart classes, clients are also able to access the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site that was opened in 2003 and, for those who are eligible, take advantage of Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).

Partners
The Dallas County WorkSource Center administers a broad range of programs to address local workforce issues with business-directed objectives, including job training, workplace education, child care and educational initiatives. It also serves as the lead coordinator in planning and implementing Money Smart classes. Financial institutions and community organizations supply instructors for the Money Smart classes at the WorkSource Model Site. For a listing of model site partners please select Financial Institutions or Other Partners.

Accomplishments

• Over 250 students attended Money Smart classes from mid 2004 - mid 2005.

The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston
The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston was established in 1990 under the name of The Greater Houston Women’s Foundation by a group of women executives who were concerned that less than five percent of philanthropic dollars were dedicated to women and women’s causes. Guided by the principle that a woman who controls her finances controls her destiny, the organization created a series of free financial education seminars for women and girls from all socio-economic backgrounds with particular emphasis on low and middle income populations.

In 1992, the foundation presented their first grant awards to local agencies that specifically addressed the needs of the city’s women and girls. In 2003, The Greater Houston Women’s Foundation stopped making grants and shifted its focus and resources to collaborative partnerships that further their mission. They also changed their name to The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston to reflect the organization’s new focus. While much has changed over the past 18 years, the guiding principle that women who control their money control their destiny remains constant and key to their work.

The Women’s Resource educates women about budgeting, credit, investing and retirement planning. Seminars have been presented to women on welfare, women in corporations, women probationers, business women, not-for-profit agencies and to girls in public and private schools. Seminars are taught by trained volunteers that are either members of TWR or part of employee volunteer groups, who encourage financial responsibility.

The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston utilizes both the Money Smart and Money Smart for Young Adults Curriculum in their educational seminars.

Partners
The Women’s Resource partners with local colleges and universities to conduct research on issues affecting the well-being of women and children. The University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work conducted a study “The Status of Women and Girls, Greater Houston” in 1997 and again in 2003-2004. The study centered on education, health, violence, work, social welfare and leadership.

The Rice University Jones School of Graduate Management and School of Sociology were engaged to do a study in 2005-2006 on the effectiveness of The Women’s Resource financial literacy seminars and to provide recommendations for improvement in program delivery and tracking outcomes.

Project LEAD, a collaboration between The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston, Houston Independent School District and Communities in Schools, was established to provide interactive leadership development, life skills and financial education to high- risk ninth and tenth grade girls. Project LEAD helps young women, who face significant challenges during their transition to responsible adulthood, reach their full potential.

TWR partners with more than 30 local civic and community based organizations and social service agencies to deliver the Money Smart curriculum.

Accomplishments

• Provided financial education to over 7,500 individuals
• Published ten significant research papers authored by some of the city’s leading universities
• Awarded over $850,000 in grants to 80 agencies and programs benefiting men, women and girls.