Program aiming to put people on path to self-sufficiency receives bipartisan support

Entering the workforce for the first time can present challenges, particularly for someone who has been at home caring for their family and dependent on another’s income. Their path to self-sufficiency when that income is gone due to death, divorce, disability, or other life-altering circumstances can be especially difficult.   

Lowering those specific barriers is the purpose of the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership.

A bill to provide a $100,000 onetime appropriation for that program was held over Monday by the House Workforce and Business Development Finance and Policy Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion. Rep. Liz Reyer (DFL-Eagan) sponsors HF3321 that would help the program continue while it restructures its fees.

Stacy Gordon testified the program changed the course of her family’s life after she and her children left a living situation she felt was unsafe.

Gordon felt love, hope and support that had been missing from her life as she built skills and confidence through workshops and support groups. They covered areas such as grief support, self-esteem, goal setting, resume writing, job interviewing skills and communication skills. She could use the program’s computer lab for homework and job searches.

The program helped her gain necessary confidence to enroll in college. Critically, she said, it gave her the confidence to acquire a driver’s license and then a car.

The program served more than 4,000 low-income participants and their families last year and has a 97% success rate of participants meeting their goals, including getting a degree or a job.

Sen. Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) sponsors the companion, SF2866, which awaits action by the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee.