I Rise: A Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Overview

The I Rise program, Kentucky’s first HUD-approved Family Self-Sufficiency initiative for an independent nonprofit supports New Directions’ 230 residents on their path to self-sufficiency over 3-5 years. Each participant has a personalized plan with goals such as education, employment, savings, and debt management.

Support and Impact

The I Rise program assists participants in various aspects of achieving self-sufficiency, including:

• Education and Training: Completing necessary education or vocational training.
• Employment: Securing jobs, improving employment status, and career advancement.
• Savings: Building savings for homeownership or transitioning to market-rate rental housing.
• Transportation: Accessing reliable transportation.
• Debt Management: Reducing or eliminating debt.

Unlike typical programs with biannual check-ups, I Rise Coaches engage weekly, providing consistent support.

A standout example is Miss Smith, who achieved multiple goals including employment and credit repair, and celebrated a year of sobriety. Our Lead Coach attended her One-Year Continuation Ceremony, showcasing the program's deep commitment to participants.

Achievements

Four participants recently graduated from the program, having met all their goals, secured suitable employment, and ceased cash government assistance. Their achievements were recognized by HUD’s FSS team on August 27th.

Future Goals

I Rise remains dedicated to enhancing lives and expanding services with your support, aiming to continue making a significant impact on participants and their communities.

Who We Are

New Directions provides homes to over 900 families. This includes subsidized and market-rate apartments, as well as some single-family residences. New Directions supplements this housing with Resident Services, a strategy that connects individuals and families to the resources they need to thrive.

Our Resident Services program allows over 2,000 residents to work one-on-one with staff in areas that support our four pillars of service: education, financial empowerment, healthcare provision, and sustainability. New Directions serves our senior population and residents living with disabilities at two lifelong learning centers.

In 2016, New Directions took over the management of the St. Benedict Center for Early Childhood Education which provides preschool and school-age children programming for over 95 youth in west Louisville. In addition to the programs at St. Benedict Center, New Directions maintains a strong afterschool program with an additional 75 youth participating at four onsite youth learning centers.

New Directions provides’ assistance to homeowners through the volunteer-driven Repair Affair program, which annually links over 1,600 volunteers to over 200 elder or disabled homeowners needing home repair help.