Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) is launching ELEVATE, a new economic mobility program designed to help residents build financial stability and work toward greater self-sufficiency. The program is in the final stages of preparation, with staff training currently underway ahead of a launch with residents in the new year.
ELEVATE stands for Empowering Lives, Encouraging Vitality, And Trusting our ability to Evolve. The program is built on the economic mobility coaching approach developed by Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath), a Boston-based nonprofit recognized for its work disrupting poverty through direct services and research. Based on over a decade of research, the coaching model puts participants in the driver’s seat to strengthen decision-making, persistence, and resilience over time. EMPath is training AHC staff to bring this work to residents.
“We’re excited to partner with EMPath to equip our staff with tools that help residents work toward the goals that matter most to them.”
– Stefanie Bass, Director of Social Services
Through a three-stage training process, AHC staff are learning to implement EMPath’s Mobility Mentoring® model. Resident Services staff completed foundational training in the coaching techniques they will use directly with residents. Supervisors also received specialized training to support their teams.
EMPath’s model is founded on the belief that each pathway out of poverty is different and requires individualized support.
“EMPath is proud to partner with Affordable Homes & Communities to launch ELEVATE, a program that reflects our shared commitment to supporting residents in building the futures they envision for themselves,” Jennifer Lowe, EMPath Vice President of Knowledge and Partnerships, said. “By integrating EMPath’s Mobility Mentoring® holistic coaching approach into their work, ELEVATE will equip residents with personalized economic mobility support over 6–12 months. This partnership is an important step in expanding opportunity and fostering long-term stability for residents in the community.”
ELEVATE will be available to AHC residents who seek support in multiple areas of their lives, with a particular focus on workforce development and job training. Participants will work one-on-one with Resident Services staff to identify goals and create action plans around managing money and building savings, finding employment or enrolling in training, improving credit and reducing debt, developing new skills, and more.
“ELEVATE will create meaningful changes for residents by addressing barriers and opening doors to opportunity,” Tiffany Lewis, Program Manager of Economic Mobility, said. “The program recognizes that every person’s path is unique, and we’re here to support residents in building the futures they envision for themselves and their families.”
About Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC)
AHC is a nonprofit developer that creates and preserves affordable and mixed-income housing in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Since 1975, AHC has developed more than 8,700 apartments in 55 communities. AHC builds opportunity by creating quality homes with holistic resident services. AHC connects residents of all ages with onsite services that help transform lives, provide housing stability, and advance the economic resiliency of entire communities.
About Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath)
Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) is a Boston-based nonprofit that disrupts poverty through direct services, advocacy, research, and a global learning network. Our mission is to transform people’s lives by helping them move out of poverty and to provide other institutions with the tools to systematically do the same. EMPath is known worldwide for our economic mobility coaching approach, which is founded on the belief that each pathway out of poverty is different. We are at the helm of a movement to shift thinking from human services to human development, and to create lasting pathways to economic mobility for all.
About Mobility Mentoring®
Mobility Mentoring is the professional practice of partnering with participants so that over time they may acquire the resources, skills, and sustained behavior changes necessary to attain and preserve their economic independence.
Learn more about AHC’s Resident Services.
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