Community Sustainability Enterprise Inc

CSE'S VISION IS TO BUILD THRIVING, SUSTAINABLE PEOPLE AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION THROUGH A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PERSONAL AND FAMILY SELF-EFFICACY IN THE FOLLOWING 4 PROGRAM PILLAR AREAS: MENTAL & PHYSICAL WELLNESS EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT WORKFORCE/CAREER DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL LITERACY/CAPABILITY SELF-EFFICACY IN THESE AREAS PRODUCES, SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURS AND HOMEOWNERS, WHICH PRODUCES THRIVING, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES.

COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY ENTERPRISES, INC. (CSE) WAS CONTRACTED BY CAPITAL CITY BANK (CCB) TO DEVELOP A CRA FAIR LENDING PROGRAM THAT EQUIPS THE UNDERSERVED LOW-AND MODERATE-INCOME CENSUS TRACKS OF LEON COUNTY FLORIDA FOR AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP, THROUGH FINANCIAL LITERACY AND ACCESS TO EQUITABLE FINANCIAL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM COMPONENTS DEVELOPED, INCLUDED, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP EDUCATION, AND 1 TO 1 SUCCESS COACHING, IN THE LOWEST INCOME CENSUS TRACK IN FLORIDA. IN 2021, CSE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED 4 HOMEBUYER READINESS WEBINARS, SERVING OVER 100 LOW-AND MODERATE-INCOME PROSPECTIVE HOMEBUYERS. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXTENDED INTO 2022 WITH CAPITAL CITY BANK AND HAS NOW ADDED A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT. YEAR TO DATE IN 2022M CSE HAS LAUNCHED 2 ADDITIONAL HOMEBUYER READINESS WEBINARS, TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 165 PROSPECTIVE LOW-AND MODERATE-INCOME HOMEBUYERS. PROSPECTS ARE NOW MOVING THROUGH THE MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL OR CREDIT READINESS PROCESS.

GROVE PARK PROJECT - CSE PARTNERED WITH THE GROVE PARK FOUNDATION TO EDUCATE, AND COACH EXTREMELY LOW-INCOME "LEGACY RESIDENTS" FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMEOWNERSHIP, NEXT-LEVEL SELF-SUFFICIENCY, OR SMALL BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT, THROUGH A SERIES OF 10 SUCCESSFUL COACHING SESSIONS AND GROUP EDUCATION. TO DATE, CSE HAS COACHED 100 PARTICIPANTS, WITH 40% TO DATE MOVING FORWARD WITH LIVABLE WAGE-PAYING CAREERS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP.

CAPITAL ONE - CSE WAS AWARDED A GRANT FROM CAPITAL ONE TO SUPPORT 100 CULINARY ARTS STUDENTS IN 3 OVER 90% FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH HIGH SCHOOLS IN FULTON COUNTY, TO BECOME SERVE SAFE CERTIFIED, AND EMPLOYABLE BY COMPASS GROUP, IN METRO ATLANTA. THE CAPITAL ONE GRANT PROVIDED THE RESOURCES FOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM WAS ECONOMIC SELF-EFFICACY AND MOBILITY IN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE EDUCATION, EXPOSURE TO PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, THAT LED TO GAINFUL, LIVABLE WAGE EMPLOYMENT, AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT THAT LED TO SAVING VERSUS SPENDING, WHICH BECAME THE BEST NEW LIFE PRACTICE, LEADING TO WEALTH BUILDING. TO DATE, 80% OF THE STUDENT PARTICIPANTS ARE EITHER WORKING IN THE CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY OR PURSUING A SECONDARY DEGREE IN THE FIELD.

-AMERICAN COMMERCE BANK - CSE WAS CONTRACTED TO SUPPORT THIS INTERMEDIATE SMALL BANK, LOCATED IN GEORGIA AND FLORIDA, TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, THAT INTEGRATES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SMALL BUSINESS REVENUE GROWTH, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY/CAPABILITY INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES OF SMALL BUSINESSES WITH GROSS REVENUES UNDER 1M, LOCATED ON LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME CENSUS TRACTS, AND DESIGNATED DISTRESSED AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. THIS SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDES ACB'S FLORIDA AND GEORGIA MARKETS (BREMEN, CARROLTON, JOHN'S CREEK AND TALLAHASSEE, FL). THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECTS IS TO CREATE A PROACTIVE CRA REGULATORY CULTURE THAT EMBRACES COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, THEREBY INCREASING THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY OF THE LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME COMMUNITIES SERVED IN ACB'S MARKET AREAS. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PROJECTS - DURING THE HEIGHT OF COVID, CSE WAS ENGAGED BY LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO IDENTIFY PROSPECTIVE LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME EMPLOYEES FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO CULTIVATE AND DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYABLE, PROMOTABLE TEAM MEMBERS, WHO COULD SUPPORT THESE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO SUSTAIN AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS, BY HIRING EMPLOYABLE AND PROMOTABLE TEAM MEMBERS, AND SUPPORT EMPLOYEES THROUGH A LIVABLE WAGE CAREER PATH, WHILE ESTABLISHING ATTAINABLE FINANCIAL GOALS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION, SAVINGS GOALS, AND SUSTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. CSE WAS CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMING, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, WORKFORCE/CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY & CAPABILITY EDUCATION AND 1 TO 1 SUCCESS COACHING. THIS PROGRAM BOASTS A 100% SUCCESS RATE TO DATE. FIFTH THIRD BANK TOA - FOR 4 YEARS, CSE HAS BEEN THE FINANCIAL LITERACY/CAPABILITY PARTNER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE YOUTH TREES ATLANTA'S COHORT OF URBAN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT APPRENTICE. URBAN YOUTH LEARN ABOUT CAREERS IN URBAN FORESTRY, ARBORICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, THAT HAVE LIVABLE WAGE CAREER PATHS. YOUTH EARN WHILE THEY LEARN OVER THE COURSE OF 8 WEEKS. CSE AND OUR PARTNER BANK FOR THE SUMMER 2021 COHORT, EDUCATED AND COACHED 30 LMI YOUTH AND COACHED THEM IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: GROSS VS NET INCOME, TAXES, DIRECT DEPOSIT, WANTS VS. NEEDS, DAILY SPENDING TRACKING, FINANCIAL GOALS, BUDGETING, SAVING, CREDIT, BUYING YOUR FIRST CAR, INVESTMENTS, HOMEOWNERSHIP AND WEALTH BUILDING. THROUGH FIFTH THIRD BANK'S FUNDING CSE WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO SAVED OVER $500 DURING THE SUMMER WITH A MONETARY INCITIVE. TWELVE STUDENTS OUT OF 30 RECEIVED THE INCENTIVE IN 2021. FT 2021 PROGRAM - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEADOWCREEK HS'S CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY WORK-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM, IN COLLABORATION WITH AND COMPASS GROUP AND THOMPSON HOSPITALITY GROUP, GROOMED 75 HIGH FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH STUDENTS IN THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM TO WORK FOR 6 WEEKS ON COMPASS GROUP ACCOUNTS LOCATED AT, COCA COLA, GA AQUARIUM AND WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, AS PAID INTERN. CSE ALSO FACILITATED OUR SIGNATURE "SOFT SKILLS ACADEMY", AND FINANCIAL LITERACY/CAPABILITY TRAINING. THIS PROGRAM RESULTED IN 85% JOB PLACEMENT AND SCHOLARSHIPS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. FT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIFTH THIRD BANK, CSE FACILITATED A 5-WEEK WEBINAR SERIES, THAT EQUIPPED 15 LOW-INCOME HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMEBUYERS FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WERE EDUCATED IN THE AREAS OF, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, WORKFORCE/CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY/CAPABILITY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. TO DATE, ALL 15 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMEBUYERS HAVE MAINTAINED A POSITIVE PAYMENT AND CREDIT RECORD. NAVIGATE/SHULAR - THIS PARTNERSHIP WAS BIRTHED THROUGH THE MEADOWCREEK HS CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHEF SIMONE BYRON AND MASTER CHEF, DARYL SHULAR. 150 STUDENTS FROM 4 METRO ATLANTA SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE CHOSEN TO COMPETE IN THE NATIONAL PRO-START CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY COMPETITION. CSE'S ROLES WAS TO IMMERSE STUDENTS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING, THAT INCLUDED: 30 SECOND ELEVATOR PITCH, RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEW SKILLS, DRESS FOR SUCCESS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND NETWORKING WITH A PURPOSE. 10 STUDENTS FROM METRO ATLANTA WERE ON THE WINNING TEAMS AND WERE CHOSEN TO WORK WITH CHEF SHULAR IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AT THE CULINARY ACADEMIES THEY WERE CHOSEN TO ATTEND. CSE STILL PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR THIS PROGRAM, FOR THE GWINNETT, DEKALB, AND FULTON COUNTY CULINARY ACADEMIES. PEACH STATE FEDERAL CU - CSE WAS CONTRACTED TO DEVELOP THE CREDIT UNIONS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH PLATFORM, THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE SOCIOECONOMIC GAP IN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES, THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL LITERACY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION STRATEGY. THIS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP ENGAGED 130 AT RISK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A WORK-BASED LEARNING MANUFACTURING PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXTRON, TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN NEXT LEVEL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SKILL BUILDING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CAPABILITY. 45% OF THE TEXTRON WORKFORCE IS HIRED FROM THIS PROGRAM, BECAUSE OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING WE IMPLEMENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEACH STATE FCU. PEACH STATE FCU SUCCESSFULLY OPENED BANK ACCOUNTS FOR 30% OF THE STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM, AND THESE ACCOUNTS ARE STILL IN GOOD STANDING. CSE WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN PARTNERING WITH LOCAL AUGUSTA EMPLOYERS AND THE GREATER AUGUSTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO PREPARE AND EQUIP 100 HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH FOR SUMMER JOBS WITH CHAMBER EMPLOYERS. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN A SUCCESS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS OF CSE'S PARTICIPATION. CSE'S BODY OF WORK WITH PEACH STATE FCU REACHED INTO THE DEPTHS OF GEORGIA, AND THE CAROLINAS AND PRODUCED SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER LENDING CLIENTS AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS AND STARTUP BUSINESSES.