February 16, 2012 – Pay It Forward Initiative

“Employing, Educating and Empowering” were the 3 words that really caught my eye with this Detroit project.  Recently, a friend passed on an article about Pay it Forward Initiative’s Executive Director, Charlie Cavell.  As an individual who has an incredibly positive outlook on the city, it was my intention to feature him and his work here on Detroit Half Full.  About two days later, while getting some work done at Thistle Coffee House, I ran into Charlie.  He was more than willing and excited to share about his project:

The Pay it Forward Initiative strives to transform young adults (ages 18-24) living in Detroit who have been a part of the Foster Care program and/or live below the poverty line. The Pay it Forward Initiative’s main objective has always been to provide employment to our target population. We do this through establishing internships at local businesses and non-profit organizations that we have targeted as being in-need of new employees or building capacity. To support our interns and allow for the most success, we have incorporated into our program entrepreneurship and financial management classes. These classes are held on 10 Saturdays over the course of the 16 week program. In addition to the employment and educational components mentioned, we have counseling following a one-to-one format for each of our interns. This is how we Employ, Educate, and Empower!

Who we help:

• 18-24 year old
• Detroit Residents
• Aging out of Foster care and/or Current Government Housing Residents
• High School Diploma/GED
• Living below poverty line ($11,161)
• Local for-profit & non-profit organizations

What we do:                                                                       

EMPLOY, EDUCATE, EMPOWER!

EMPLOY:

EDUCATE:

Here are the titles of the first 3 classes out of the 10 our program offers. Each class is taught by Wayne State School of Business Faculty members!

Class Overview

Class 1: Why are these classes important?

Class 2: Why businesses succeed/fail

Class 3: Foundations for long-term success: Intra-preneuring and entrepreneuring

 

EMPOWER:

1.)   Weekly counseling to help support interns goals!

2.)   Micro-Fund:

To further support our interns, PIFI has set aside a portion of our $80,000 budget to administer a micro-fund. At the conclusion of the internship, interns with the assistance of their guidance counselor will be encouraged to fulfill their goals established during program participation. Intern goals may include educational, entrepreneurship or other areas.  For example-If the intern chooses to further their education PIFI may pay for former interns’ books up-to a maximum of $550 once certain milestones have been met.

Costs Per-Intern:                                                                                          Program Calendar:

Month
January	Secure $Recruit internsFinalize Partners
February	Secure $Place interns
March*	Run Program
April *	Run Program
May*	Run Program
June *	Run Program
July	Final Evaluation
August

• 16 Week program stipend: $2,400                                   
• Instructor: $50
• Curriculum Development costs: $75
• Administrative costs: $724
• Overhead: $600

Average cost of intern:

                  $4,000

How this helps:

Partner Non-profits & Businesses by providing:

• Employment support to fill gap in staff/costs
• Viable  and experienced employment candidates for your organization following internship
• Intern arrives at interview with Qualifications Packet, after a three round interview process to insure a good fit for all

 

Interns by providing:

• 16 Week Job-matching Internship
• Entrepreneurship & Financial management classes
• Weekly guidance Counseling
• Weekly pay
• Transportation stipend
• Micro-Fund to support interns during internship if unforeseen problems arise
• Micro-Fund Open Scholarship at conclusion of program to maintain support

Find out more about the Pay It Forward here!