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Sometimes, individuals who are doing the best they can need help overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency.
ELM’s Little Miracles program makes intentional investments in highly motivated individuals.
So they can successfully overcome barriers and lead self-sufficient and service-oriented lives.
Once a participant has been accepted, the ELM Case Manager will work with the participant to create a development plan focusing on the principles of self-sufficiency, stewardship and service. This plan creates a road map unique to each participant's journey. Each plan creates specific tasks in six goal areas: employment, education, financial stewardship, housing, health, and service. Other goal areas may be identified as appropriate.
Each participant will be asked to sign a commitment form agreeing to comply with their individual development plan and all future grants of any kind will be contingent on compliance with the plan. The commitment form will also require a participant to be free from any substance abuse.
The Case Manager will create a Grant Projection for each participant. Grants may be made for tuition assistance and other educational or training expenses, internship stipends, housing and child care assistance. ELM also has partnerships with providers for legal assistance, counseling, and emergency assistance and grants may be made to meet participant needs on a case by case basis. Grant Projections for individual participants and changes and additions to approved grants will be reviewed by the Grants committee and recommended to the board for final approval.
Participants must agree to schedule regular accountability reviews with the ELM Case Manager who serves as a coach, cheerleader, and referee. She helps identify goals, encourage success, and provide reality checks along the way. Regular meetings ensure that commitments are kept and problems are dealt with before they become obstacles. The Case Manager is available by text, email, and phone as well as in-person interviews. Of all the resources ELM provides, regular access to an experienced Case Manager is probably the most valuable and the most vital to success.
The Case Manager will create a Grant Projection for each participant. Grants may be made for tuition assistance and other educational or training expenses, internship stipends, housing and child care assistance. ELM also has partnerships with providers for legal assistance, counseling, and emergency assistance and grants may be made to meet participant needs on a case by case basis. Grant Projections for individual participants and changes and additions to approved grants will be reviewed by the Grants committee and recommended to the board for final approval.
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The ELM Foundation only accepts participants through a referral process from an established network of clergy, nonprofit providers and community leaders. Potential participants who have demonstrated need, promise and motivation will be scheduled for an interview. A signed referral form is required to schedule an interview.
An ELM Case Manager will schedule an interview with a potential participant. The candidate will be asked to fill out information forms in advance of the interview, keep an expense log for one week prior to the interview, and bring three pay stubs, a copy of the lease agreement or mortgage, and utility bill. During the interview, a self-sufficiency assessment will be completed. The case manager will also discuss goals, accomplishments, and needs with the candidate.
Each potential participant will be evaluated by the Grants Committee, composed of ELM board members and community volunteers. The committee will consider assessment results, level of need, recommendations of ELM staff and budget requirements. Criminal background checks paid for by ELM will also be conducted and the results shared with the committee. If necessary, a participant may be scheduled for evaluation with a licensed counselor. All these factors will be considered by the committee which will make recommendation to the ELM board of directors. The board will approve the acceptance of new participants at its next scheduled meeting.
