Our commitment through strategic policy and inclusive community development, equitable engagement, and financial initiatives create SUSTAINABLE AND VIBRANT communities.
OUR WORK
Fostering equitable and resilient communities through a results-based, data-driven approach.
We place a strong emphasis on identifying and addressing disparities, using innovative and adaptive leadership to drive meaningful change, and ensuring every action is geared towards creating tangible, positive outcomes.
Family Support
Theory of Change
Theory of Change is centered on the synergy between physical development and human capital. We believe that the sustainable transformation of communities involves not just building spaces, but also nurturing the people within them.
This approach emphasizes resident engagement and support systems that foster upward mobility, stable housing, educational readiness, and robust public health. This holistic strategy is integral to our mission of cultivating vibrant, self-sustaining communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
The Roadmap to Family Support
Systems Change – Policy & Influence
Results Count® Framework by the Annie E. Casey Foundation
As an official Annie E. Casey Foundation Results Count® Hub Organization, we leverage this framework to support system transformation and community stabilization. This approach is embedded within USI and our partners.
The framework’s core is focused on accelerating the achievement of positive outcomes for children and families we serve. We see the deeply-rooted unfairness in our systems and actively work to promote impactful change and accessible growth for all.
Communities of Choice (COC)
Communities of Choice, a national forum of Choice Neighborhood Program grantees, was created to foster a wide-sweeping system that supports the best interests of disinvested communities across the country.
COC offers a chance to connect, share best practices and innovations, receive mentoring and hands-on support, and experience meaningful engagement to lift our collective voice in the spirit of community development.
Together, we work to support neighborhood revitalization by nurturing families and individuals, and helping them attain stable housing, economic mobility, and connections to health networks within the communities we serve.
Education Equity
Our focus on education has always been a big component of our work to accelerate families out of poverty. To this end, we work with youth and adults providing “two-generation” support to parents and their children.
For children, we intentionally connect them with strong education options while providing ongoing holistic family support and accountability agreements. As an intermediary, we help schools tackle the academic achievement gap, by helping our children to not only become stronger in academics but also become socially and emotionally solid as well.
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution, we play a pivotal role in funneling economic resources into disinvested communities. We provide financial services and support to spur economic growth and development. This includes offering loans, investments, and financial counseling, specifically tailored to uplift disinvested communities and stimulate local economies.
Our CDFI status enables us to bridge gaps in funding and resources, driving economic empowerment where it’s most needed.
Partnership for Equitable and Resilient Communities (PERC)
The Partnership for Equitable and Resilient Communities is on a mission to get and use funds that help Black, Indigenous, and Latino/a/x communities grow stronger, have better homes, and build places that make life better for everyone.
As a proud PERC partner, we focus on getting more support and resources to make every neighborhood more vibrant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can USI offer to my family and me in our community?
At USI, we understand the challenges faced by families in disinvested communities. Our Family Support program offers a range of resources, from workforce education to health and wellness programs, tailored to empower and uplift your family toward stability and growth.
What is the difference between Family Support and regular case management?
In our Family Support program, we understand that every family comes with its own set of experiences, challenges, and concerns. We focus on providing support that respects each family’s culture and unique situation.
Instead of treating families like cases to be managed, our goal is to work together to meet your family’s needs in a way that brings about lasting change, ensuring fairness and opportunities for all in the community.
How does USI ensure that our voices are heard in community development?
We believe in the power of your voice. The USI approach involves active community engagement where your opinions serve as a guide. Families are integral to the decision-making process, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for community improvement.
Why should we trust USI in our community?
We value your lived experiences and decisions, and we want to support you and the systems you encounter in your journey to becoming stable and thriving.
What kind of Family Support can I expect?
We’re committed to your economic empowerment. We provide access to job training, financial counseling, and pathways to homeownership, designed to support your journey toward economic stability and upward mobility in a sustainable and equitable manner.
Recognizing the importance of education and health, we also collaborate with local institutions to enhance access to quality educational programs and healthcare services. Our focus is on creating a supportive environment where your family can access the essential services needed for a thriving life.
What is USI doing to address gentrification in my neighborhood?
USI recognizes the lasting impacts of historically racist policies, institutions, and culture that have resulted in the complex nature of many low-wealth and communities of color across the nation.
USI works to ensure all children and families will be stable and thriving through the collective and equitable alignment of all partners.
We support a resident’s choice to relocate or remain in the neighborhood. This allows individualized pathways to economic movement that is sustainable and controlled by the household, with support through USI.
Can my family participate in USI’s programs? How do we get started?
Absolutely! If you’re a resident of a neighborhood or community we serve, you’re eligible for our programs.
To get started, visit any of our local offices or contact us through our website. Our Family Support Specialists are here to guide you through the process and help you access the resources you need.
What Are USI CDFI’s Requirements To Qualify For A Loan?
We lend to businesses with any legal structure: sole proprietors, limited liability companies, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits. You must be over the age of 18, have a Social Security Number (SSN) OR an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), be located in the U.S., and are wanting to start or grow your business (we don’t offer personal loans.)
Behind every statistic is a human story.
That’s why cultural competence and community empowerment are integral to our model, allowing us to tackle systemic disparities at their root.
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Central Corporate Office • 100 N. Broadway, Suite 1110 • St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Phone: 314-421-4200 • Fax: 314-279-0067 • Email: info@usi-inc.org
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