Clark Atlanta University Announces New Partnership with Inclusiv On the Rise Financial Center
12/13/2018
ATLANTA, GA – December 13, 2018 -- Clark Atlanta University and Inclusiv are pleased to announce a new partnership between the Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work Center for Children and Families and Inclusiv’s On the Rise Financial Center. Through this new partnership, On the Rise Financial Center has established an internship program for Clark Atlanta University Master of Social Work (MSW) students to gain practical experience by supporting the financial coaching programs delivered by the Center.
This mutually beneficial relationship not only enables MSW students to build their on-the-ground experience, but also enables On the Rise Financial Center to expand its capacity to serve unbanked and underbanked residents in the Westside community.
The Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University holds the distinction of being the oldest accredited social work program at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the world and is the first accredited Social of Social Work in the state of Georgia. The mission of the Master of Social Work Program is to provide and prepare social work practitioners as leaders who pursue social justice with a commitment to service with diverse populations, address disparity issues that prevail globally and engage in competent practice.
The On the Rise Financial Center is an Inclusiv initiative, which, in collaboration with credit union partners 1st Choice CU, BOND Community CU, Credit Union of Atlanta and Peach State FCU, promotes financial inclusion by providing Westside residents with financial education classes, one-on-one financial coaching, and access to affordable credit union accounts and loans.
“The Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work is very excited about this new partnership with On the Rise Financial Center,” said Dr. Jenny Jones, Dean of the School. “This partnership opens doors for new learning experiences for our students that will broaden the depth and breadth of their practice in the area of economic well-being. We look forward to an on-going relationship with On the Rise Foundation in addressing issues of financial inequality among vulnerable families.” This work promotes the core values of the social work profession as it relates to economic justice, in that all individuals, families, and communities should have their basic needs met (including food, housing, utilities, health care, transportation, education, child care, clothing, and paid taxes), and have control over their day-to-day finances.
“Inclusiv is thrilled that our On the Rise Center will be able to bring financial empowerment programming and services to an even greater number of individuals and families on Atlanta’s Westside through our new partnership with Clark Atlanta University,” said Cathie Mahon, Inclusiv President/CEO. “Helping consumers build assets and improve financial capability is an important way that the Center seeks to contribute to the overall well-being of the Westside community, and we look forward to being able to share this expertise and practical experience with the Clark MSW student interns who participate in this program.”
Inclusiv launched On the Rise Financial Center in 2017 to build financial well-being for individuals and families on Atlanta’s Westside, serving three neighborhoods that were once home to the leaders of the civil rights movement: English Avenue, Vine City and Castleberry Hill. In recent decades, however, these once-prosperous neighborhoods experienced disinvestment and are now among the lowest income segments of the City, with 44 percent of adults living below the poverty line.
About Inclusiv
At Inclusiv, we believe that true financial inclusion and empowerment is a fundamental right. We dedicate ourselves to closing the gaps and removing barriers to financial opportunities for people living in distressed and underserved communities. Inclusiv is a certified CDFI intermediary that transforms local progress into lasting national change. We provide capital, make connections, build capacity, develop innovative products and services and advocate for our member community development credit unions (CDCUs). Inclusiv members serve over eight million residents of low-income urban, rural and reservation-based communities across the US and hold over $92 billion in community-controlled assets. Founded in 1974, Inclusiv is headquartered in New York, NY, with offices in Madison, WI and Atlanta, GA. For more information about Inclusiv, visit us at Inclusiv.org and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
About Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work Center for Children and Families
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is a comprehensive, private, urban, coeducational institution of higher education with a predominantly African-American heritage. The Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work Center for Children and Families at Clark Atlanta University is a policy and practice institute with a mission to improve the health and well-being of African American children and families. CCF is guided by the Afrocentric Perspective in providing direct practice, training, research, and policy commentaries to practitioners and stakeholders related to health, mental health, and community practice. For more information, visit http://www.cau.edu/school-of-social-work/index.html.
About Clark Atlanta University
Established in 1988 by the consolidation of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869), Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is one of the Nation’s foremost research institutions, offering students from around the United States and several foreign countries the opportunity to engage in 38 exciting areas of study at bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. Located in the historic heart of Atlanta, one of the world's great international cities, CAU’s nearly 4,000 students enjoy access academic and co-curricular experiences, from forensic debate, to on-air broadcasting, to cancer research with world-renowned investigators. From the arts to zoology, CAU combines nearly 300 years of tradition with a solid focus on academic excellence to produce leaders who will shape the future of the global community. Visit www.cau.edu to learn more about Clark Atlanta University.