Mutual Assistance Network

Economic Development Program

The principals that outline the economic development services are designed to effectively integrate with the family and youth service areas.  The holistic approach to the Mutual Assistance Network's economic development services is taken from two basic principals outlined by community residents: 1) Families and individuals can not improve their financial standing unless the local economy (Del Paso Heights) provides appropriate opportunities; and 2) Local opportunities available to community residents will not be properly utilized until individuals and families have a basic understanding of how to use them appropriately.   Those principals provided the guide to MAN's overarching vision that seeks to improve health by improving the economic infrastructure of Del Paso Heights and thus individual's quality of life.

MAN combines four different components to address the need for economic improvement at the individual and community level.

Neighborhood Business and Economic Policy Development

     Neighborhood Business Association

     Employer and Business Enhancement Services

     Neighborhood Beautification

     Affordable Housing

Seen as the main force behind improving the economic framework of Del Paso Heights, this component focuses on developing a neighborhood infrastructure for economic change.  Starting with the development of the Del Paso Heights' first business association, this component will promote a voice in the community that can advocate for policy change and business stability. Working alongside the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, the Del Paso Heights Redevelopment Advisory Committee and local developers, MAN will seek to increase the number of affordable homes and new homeowners in Del Paso Heights. Furthering the work of these organizations, MAN has forged a relationship with a local developer that provides for a plan of creating affordable housing set aside for participants of our housing classes. It is our intent to dually become partnered with the Sacramento Housing Authority to provide families with rental assistance that provides an allowance for saving for home purchases.  At the same time, ACORN has agreed to participate in home ownership training and further more assisting families throughout the home buying process in order to ensure they have clear understanding of terms, interest payments, and loan information.  Thus ensuring our families against bad lending practices.  The goal of these activities is an increase in the local tax base. 

Community Financial Literacy Education

     Earned Income Tax Preparation

     Home Ownership Preparation Trainings     

     Budget Workshop

This component of economic development focuses on preparing the community to understand and take advantage of economic opportunities.  MAN will continue to offer Earned Income Tax Preparation, but will add a number of courses that will help families understand how to increase their personal assets over time.  Starting with home spending budgets, the courses will introduce families to the various bank account options, education about interest rates, home ownership, predatory lending practices, along with other financial literacy items.  MAN is partnering with both Citibank and ACORN to provide these trainings.  An incentive to participating in and completing the financial literacy academy and Home Ownership Training is that with the completion of that phase of training successful candidates will become members in a neighborhood association for home buyers that assists in the process of buying the home and then after the purchase assistance with maintaining their homes.  

Individual and Family Financial Planning

     Family Budget Planning

     Personal Banking

     Retirement and Individual Development Accounts

     Home Ownership

To help further integrate the information families learn in the financial literacy courses into their daily lives, MAN will have on staff a Money Management Specialist that can provide one-on-one assistance.  The Money Management Specialist will help families take the information they have learned in the courses and apply it to their daily lives, such as how to shop within a budget or how to better utilize a checking account. The desired goal of the Money Management Specialist will be to encourage families to further their economic interests by creating short and long term financial goals that will enhance their overall wealth by increasing their potential for purchasing a home, retirement planning, and educational planning, college savings.  Again appropriate families will be connected with the money management specialist to create their individual asset development plan which focuses on prepare for and then purchasing the affordable housing available due to the Neighborhood Business and Economic Policy plan. The combination of the individual money management specialist and the ACORN, Citibank, SHRA, and Sacramento Home Loan Center assists we will create a platform whereas families understand the benefits of acquiring assets through property ownership provides for long-term financial stability.  At the same time, we will provide residents with knowledge and assistance to maintain their financial security by avoiding becoming prey to predatory lending.

Employment and Small Business Development

     Job Preparation and Training

     Job Placement

     Career Advancement Services

     Small Business Development

MAN will maintain its existing employment preparation and placement assistance.  MAN has successfully operated this service for several years, helping to link neighborhood residents with jobs in growing industries that pay reasonable wages.  Additionally, MAN will continue to promote small business development for families where the new business supplements an existing income.  An example of this is the recent introduction of a neighborhood farmers market, at which MAN was able to assist residents with community gardens to enhance their crop production and sell the produce at the market.