ATLANTA–Inclusiv and Clark Atlanta University have entered into a new partnership between the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work Center for Children and Families and On the Rise Financial Center.
The Center is an Inclusiv initiative, which, in collaboration with credit union partners 1st Choice CU, BOND Community CU, Credit Union of Atlanta and Peach State FCU, promotes financial inclusion by providing Westside residents with financial education classes, one-on-one financial coaching, and access to affordable credit union accounts.
Through the new partnership, On the Rise Financial Center has established an internship program for Clark Atlanta University Master of Social Work students to gain practical experience by supporting the financial coaching programs delivered by the Center, reported Inclusiv, which was formerly known as the National Federation of CDCUs.
“This mutually beneficial relationship not only enables MSW students to build their on-the-ground experience, but also enables On the Rise Financial Center to expand its capacity to serve unbanked and underbanked residents in the Westside community,” Inclusiv stated.
‘Thrilled to Bring Empowerment’
“Inclusiv is thrilled that our On the Rise Center will be able to bring financial empowerment programming and services to an even greater number of individuals and families on Atlanta’s Westside through our new partnership with Clark Atlanta University,” said Cathie Mahon, Inclusiv president/CEO. “Helping consumers build assets and improve financial capability is an important way that the Center seeks to contribute to the overall wellbeing of the Westside community, and we look forward to being able to share this expertise and practical experience with the Clark MSW student interns who participate in this program.”
Inclusiv noted the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University holds the distinction of being the oldest accredited social work program at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the world.
‘Very Excited’
The organization added the internship program was built on the pioneering work of the Center for Social Development at Washington University of St Louis, which developed the Financial Capability and Asset Building Curriculum for social work students.
“The School of Social Work is very excited about this new partnership with On the Rise Financial Center,” said Dr. Jenny Jones, Dean of the School. “More importantly, this partnership provides our students with real world application of social work practice and its impact on the economic well-being of individuals and families.” This work promotes the core values of the social work profession as it relates to economic justice, in that all individuals, families, and communities should have their basic needs met (including food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, education, child care, clothing, and paid taxes), and have control over their day-to-day finances.
Inclusiv launched On the Rise Financial Center in 2017 to build financial well-being for individuals and families on Atlanta’s Westside, serving three neighborhoods that were once home to the leaders of the civil rights movement: English Avenue, Vine City and Castleberry Hill.
Reversing Neighborhoods’ Fortunes
“In recent decades, however, these once-prosperous neighborhoods experienced disinvestment and are now among the lowest income segments of the City, with 44% of adults living below the poverty line,” Inclusiv said. “On the Rise Center is made possible through the support of our lead sponsors at Equifax, as well as the Arthur M. Blank Foundation and Invest Atlanta.”
"One of the best ways to strengthen communities and enable access to credit is by ensuring residents have the means and educational resources to make sound financial decisions to prepare for key milestones in life," said Dann Adams, president of Global Consumer Solutions at Equifax. "For this project, Equifax has been a committed partner in providing access to affordable financial products to help Westside residents achieve their goals."