Some people refer to them as assets, stability indicators or “getting ahead” outcomes. Many of our local agencies that help those without enough resources or living paycheck-to-paycheck use a set of strength indicators to help families become more prosperous.

When families can strengthen in the following areas, their level of household stability can change.

Accountability

Can I see past today, two to three weeks ahead or a month or two in the future and make plans?

Earned Income Credit

Am I taking full advantage of the Earned Income Credit by filing my taxes every year?

Parenting education

Am I taking advantage of opportunities to learn how to be a better parent by learning new techniques that help my children thrive?

Transportation

Do I have reliable transportation that is dependable?

Affordable housing

Am I spending more than 30 percent of my income on housing?

Quality child care

Do I have dependable, quality and safe child care for my children?

Monthly budget and/or spending plans

Have I created a plan to spend within the amount of money I have coming in each month with plans to save some money for emergencies?

Job training

Do I want to take advantage of opportunities to increase my skills to obtain a better paying job?

Resolving legal issues

Do I have unresolved legal issues that interfere with my work or school?

Health and well-being

Do I have any health issues that prevent me from going to work or school?

“Getting ahead” outcomes or strengthening indicators are a starting point for a family’s level of prosperity. A family’s prosperity will look different for everyone.

For example, if a family unit of four (two adults and two children) had annual income of $9,000, a credit score of 350, a broken car and thousands of dollars in debt, this is a family that does not have enough resources. If that same family completed a program at The Northwest Project or the Dream Center, within a year or two, that family may have doubled their income, doubled their credit score, now have a working car and cleared their debt, and that family has become more prosperous. However, according to federal guidelines, that family will still be considered living below the poverty level. Yet, this is a family that has regained hope to continue improving their household.

We must be careful when using the words “poor” or “poverty,” because they do not tell a true story. Our community has many organizations that will help families in any of these areas. United Way of the Ozarks’ 2-1-1 is a great place to locate resources that can help strengthen families. Call 2-1-1, chat with an operator online or browse the online directory today at 211helps.org/. 

Prosper Springfield is a collective impact initiative focused on a shared community vision to improve economic mobility in the Springfield community. The Prosper Springfield mission is to build community relationships and align community resources to create pathways that help move people to prosperity. Contact Francine Pratt at 417-888-2020.