Programming
T.E.A.’s vision is to ensure women who need it have the opportunities and support to live independently – to make a living that provides self-sufficiency for each woman and her family, to live in a safe and comfortable home, and to move through life with steady access to positive pathways, whatever they may be. Together we have built a vibrant community of resources, support, and opportunity that helps women overcome systemic barriers to employment; recover from a mix of financial, physical, and emotional traumas; and reset the course of their lives.
There are four main components to our
Skills for Success program
TIER 1: Personal Development and Assessment
All participants enter the TEA program via TIER 1.
TIER 1 activities consist of intake, assessment, and exposure to self-esteem-building group educational opportunities. Wrap-around services covering a plurality of areas including but not limited to direct financial support, legal and mental health, referrals, etc. The goal of wrap-around support is to identify and eliminate barriers to participant employment and
self-sufficiency.
Individualized goals are created in conjunction with the participants and their self-sufficiency coach and agreed-upon goals are then tracked bi-weekly and mapped to show progress.
Tier 2: Job Development and Placement Services
During TIER 2 participants are introduced to those services that enhance their employability, and specifically go through a series of training certification programs.
Participants will complete the following in this TIER, as needed:
Digital Literacy Certification
Customer Service Certification
Resume/Cover letter writing workshops
Interview workshops
Earn to Learn training
Program participants will complete each module at their own pace.
The program is facilitated through a series of in-person group learning, guest speakers, and online learning sessions.
Participants who complete the entire program are given $500 and or a laptop
Tier 3: Financial Literacy
TIER 3 participants are provided with contact information for specific resources in the community including places to receive financial advice and debt counseling services.
Money Relationships is a series of workshops that encourages each participant to examine their mindsets and habits around money, through interactive activities, group discussions, and take-home reflections and assignments. With this program, we teach the foundations of financial education to improve the quality of life for Detroit women and families living in poverty. Money Relationships is accredited by the National Association of Social Workers.
Financial literacy topics are adjusted according to the identified needs of the group or individual receiving services and can include information about but not limited to:
- Assessing one's relationship towards money
- Predatory lending
- Banking
- Establishment and credit maintenance
- Debt management
- Paying bills
- Investing
- Insurance
- Tax basics
- Budgeting
- Homeownership
The program is facilitated through a series of in-person group learning, guest speakers, and gamification. T.E.A.’s money relationships curriculum uses resources from the Center for Financial Social Work.
Tier 4: Wealth Building and Entrepreneurship
TEA Tier 4 is optional extended programming to educate underserved housing-insecure individuals on strategies to build wealth. The program encompasses a 2-part investment education workshop and an 8-part series of entrepreneurship and small business workshops. Workshops are designed such that they can be delivered as a stand-alone workshop and/or any combination of workshops to meet the needs of the participant. Content is delivered through interactive workshops which may be offered both in-person and online. Â
Additionally, Tier 4 Programming includes support through 1:1 Mentorship/Entrepreneurship Coaching and bringing in motivational speakers from Detroit who have achieved self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship and running successful small businesses.
