DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Dupaco Community Credit Union is partnering with the Opening Doors organization to begin offering the “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin' By World Curriculum” to women who are staying in transitional housing programs at Maria House and Teresa Shelter.
The curriculum "puts the concepts, tools, and relationships in the hands of people in poverty to make a difference in their own lives and in the life of their community." It helps people living in poverty to have a more prosperous future and aligns with the vision of Opening Doors, according to Dupaco.
Opening Doors' vision, in collaboration with existing community resources and services, is to offer a variety of opportunities for women to affirm their dignity and to become empowered members of the community, Dupaco said, adding that when the City of Dubuque offers this training, there are barriers such as limited class sizes and transportation. By offering the curriculum on-site, in a safe environment where the women have already established a trusting relationship Opening Doors hopes for a great completion rate.
As part of a $9,327 grant provided by the Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, the program will offer each participant up to a $640 stipend for completing the program. The stipend is intended to help participants address housing costs associated with gaining permanent housing. These costs include an apartment's first-month's rent and security deposit.
Also, after completing the program, Dupaco said it will continue to provide
"The mission of Dupaco Community Credit Union is to improve each member's financial position. The Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation grant emphasizes education and a jump start for participants' financial sustainability,” said Dupaco CEO Joe Hearn.