ACHIEVEABILITY
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Mission Statement
ACHIEVEability, located in Philadelphia, permanently breaks the generational cycle of poverty for low income, single parent, and homeless families through higher education, affordable housing, supportive services, community and economic development, and accountability.
About This Cause
Since 1981, ACHIEVEability has served West Philadelphia by aiming to permanently break the generational cycle of poverty for low-income, single parent, and homeless families through higher education, affordable housing, supportive services, community and economic development, and accountability. For almost 40 years, we have provided a continuum of anti-poverty services for vulnerable individuals and families in West Philadelphia neighborhoods. Together, we partner with individuals and families to address the inter‐related social challenges of poverty, high unemployment, and low educational attainment. We achieve this through our core programs: Family Self-Sufficiency Program, ACHIEVEability Connects, and WorkSmart West Philly. In FY20, ACHIEVEability programming served over 2,800 individuals. Our Programs: Family Self-Sufficiency Program: This transformational program is built upon the belief in a college education as the pathway to self-sufficiency, the use of a high accountability model, and the recognition that our parents are role models for their children in fulfilling our mission to break the generational cycle of poverty. Families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness are provided affordable housing and a coaching team and commit to pursuing post-secondary credentials as a way to overcome poverty. In FY20, we served 123 families and 278 children with the following impact: 71% of families who exited were connected to permanent housing; 53% of participants increased their annual earned income since entry with an average gain of $13,253; and 100% of school-age children persisted in school. ACHIEVEability Connects: Since 2006, this program has helped residents meet their basic needs through services including screening and enrollment in public benefits; emergency financial assistance; tax preparation; financial education; computer training and open lab access; community meetings and engagement; resource fairs; and leadership development. We also focus on improving neighborhood conditions by providing technical assistance to the 60th Street Commercial Corridor business owners and supporting civic groups and beautification projects. ACHIEVEability Connects is a one-stop office that provided vital basic-need services to over 2,500 individuals in FY20 with the following impact: 629 individuals received free tax preparation; 467 individuals received financial counseling; and 105 individuals received emergency utility assistance. WorkSmart West Philly: In 2014, we launched this program to prepare and connect individuals to workforce opportunities. In FY20, we helped 203 participants expand their employment-focused economic opportunities and increase their employability through job readiness training, soft skills training, cultivation of employers, connection to employment, and job retention coaching. In FY20, 176 participants developed resumes; 94 participants participated in workshops; and 53 participants were connected to employment. In 2014, ACHIEVEability entered a new phase of sustainability by forming a strategic alliance with Mission First Housing Group. A thorough analysis determined this partnership was the best way to preserve and enhance our mission, while setting the foundation for growth. This alliance combines the management, real estate, and operational expertise of Mission First Housing Group with ACHIEVEability’s social services capabilities. Finishing its fifth year, the alliance has increased our financial stability, allowing us to focus on meeting community needs and breaking the generational cycle of poverty. As our alliance continues to grow, ACHIEVEability and Mission First Housing Group continue to work together to increase our collective impact in West Philadelphia. In February 2018, we broke ground on the New Market West community center, a four story, 135,700 square foot hub for retail and community services on a 1.5 acre vacant site at 59th & Market Street. This joint venture between Mission First Housing Group, Horizon House, and ACHIEVEability, will provide high quality early childhood education, workforce development, educational, emergency support, and behavioral health services that are vital to the community. Other tenants include Wonderspring Early Education, Mercy Hospital, Eatible Delights, and a district office for Councilmember Curtis Jones. This center will open in October 2020 and serve as an anchor community institution by providing a state-of-the-art computer lab, large workshop spaces, and a transit accessible location. Our programming and activities are guided by the following organizational strategic priorities: 1. IMPACT: Increase the effectiveness and reach of the ACHIEVEability’s Family Self-Sufficiency, ACHIEVEability Connects, and WorkSmart West Philly programs. 2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Strengthen the continuum of services to meet the immediate and long-term needs of community residents to move them out of poverty. 3. SUSTAINABILITY: Prioritize strategic partnerships and efforts to increase funding, as well as identify a business model to ensure a sustainable and flourishing anchor non-profit organization that can meet the needs of its community. 4. ECONOMIC INVESTMENT: Lead economic development activities in the Haddington-Cobbs Creek community, with a focus on the 60th Street Commercial Corridor, to make it a destination in which to live, learn, work, shop and play. 5. ADVOCACY: Expand our leadership in addressing systemic and structural issues that contribute to poverty