JUNE 2007Dear IDA Insights Readers:
Summer has arrived! Vacations and grilling are on the schedule for many families. While enjoying the weather and vacations, please take the time to encourage your children to learn more about finances and the world of economy and continue asking your elected officials what their position is on asset building. If you are a Mississippi resident, please give Senator Cochran a “thank you” call as he has become a co-sponsor of federal IDA legislation. Please welcome Tanya Ray, FMS staff, to the world of asset building as she delves into the youth asset building arena.
To learn more about IDA programs please contact one of the following organizations based on your location:
Louisiana >>> Center for Social Research at Southern University
Mississippi – Mississippi IDA Program / P.O. Box 3782, Jackson , MS 39207-3782
Arkansas >>> Southern Good Faith Fund
Texas >>> Texas Asset Building Coalition_____________________________________________________________
Foundation for the Mid South News:
Irvin Selected to be a 2007 Hull Fellow
FMS Program Officer, Necole S. Irvin was selected to participate in the 2007 class of the Southeastern Council of Foundation's Hull Fellows program. The leadership training program is designed to help emerging leaders in philanthropy explore the history and meaning of the field and aspects of our region that makes our philanthropy unique. Congratulations.
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Policy Update:
Youth
The Mid South is a region that overflows with resources. These resources (both natural and human) must be nurtured and allowed to grow so they are beneficial to communities. Perhaps youth should be considered one of the most precious and irreplaceable resources that this region possess. The preparations that are made and the skills they receive today will help them be successful in the future. This type of commitment to the youth of the region will ensure their equity in their community and give them a sense of belonging. This form of motivation could inspire them to become vested and active in their communities so that, along with adults, they can make them better places to live.
By investing in the youth of today we can insure their future and the future of the Mid South region. One way this can be achieved is through youth asset development. By promoting youth asset development, the youth's financial knowledge will be increased. They will gain a better understanding of saving and how to manage their money. This knowledge can help them to become more economically secure and responsible. Youth will also be exposed to other skills such as career development and entrepreneurship to ensure that they become vested and excited about their own future. These fundamental tools are necessary so that youth are not left behind. Without them, there is no future for the Mid South region so now is the time to start motivating them to become productive, successful adults.
Get involved in youth asset development. Visit your local banks to see what types of learning opportunities they have for youth. Support financial literacy programs such as Jumpstart. Talk to youth about the importance of saving for their future and having goals. Act now because the future of our youth is being shaped today.
POLICY RESOURCE
The New America Foundation has published The Assets Agenda 2007: Policy Options to Promote Savings and Asset Ownership by Low- and Moderate-Income Americans. The purpose of this issue brief is to summarize a federal public policy agenda to broaden savings and asset ownership opportunities for Americans with lower incomes and fewer resources. It draws heavily on the work of many experts that focuses on various facets of savings and asset-building policy. The report includes calls for new structures and policies, as well as changes to existing tax systems, government programs and financial products. To access the complete report, visit >>> www.newamerica.net/about/sharing_content .
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IDA Story: Telling Our Story: Make sure you are counted
The Foundation for the Mid South has contracted with an external evaluator to document the impact of the Mid South IDA Initiative. Dr. Johnny Gilleylen Sr ., Ph.D., of JBG & Associates, Inc., and his team will be collecting and analyzing information about the IDA initiative since its inception in November 2002. The team will use a variety of tools to collect information, including surveys and focus groups in the three states in our region.
When completed, this evaluation will serve as a resource for the region as we continue to advance IDAs and other asset building tools. It will be an important instrument used in gaining support for IDAs by informing people of the impact that has occurred in the last 5 years. We urge anyone who has been contacted to participate in this evaluation to please do so. Your contribution will truly make this evaluation successful. There will be a published report from this evaluation.
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If you have any ideas for future IDA Insights issues, would like to feature news from your IDA program, or just want to say hello please contact Necole S. Irvin at 601.863.0495 or at nirvin@fndmidsouth.org
Sincerely,
Mid South IDA Initiative Staff
