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Systemic Change Initiative

Promoting systemic change means offering holistic support that empowers those we serve to make their way out of poverty and into-self-sufficiency.

GETTING AHEAD PROGRAM

Sessions begin

January & July

each year

Game Designer

Program Goals

Working in a group learning environment, participants, become "investigators", and learn how money is only one of eleven resources to achieve success.

Resources participants learn to move from crisis to sustainability:

Social Capital Support System:

Friends, family, network.

Relationship/Role model:

Access to people who can help improve your outcomes.

Motivation & Persistence:

Energy, drive and planning

Financial:

How to use money to purchase assets and services.

Emotional:

Ability to control emotional responses, increase Integrity, build trust, and maintain safety.

Physical:

Health and mobility

Knowledge of Hidden rules:

Know unspoken cues and behaviors of different social environments.

Spiritual:

Belief in divine purpose.

Language:

Ability to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar for different social environments

Mental:

Cognitive capacity to master daily life challenges.

Program Benefits

Become an Investigator

If you’ve spent part of your life—or most of your life—struggling to get by, the idea of actually getting ahead might seem out of reach. Even if your story has been filled with barriers, vanishing opportunities, and setbacks, this program can change your next chapter. Yes, you have to write your own story, but you don’t have to do it alone. 

UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIDDEN RULES

DIVERSE SUPPORT NETWORK 

STRATEGIC PLANNING

PARTICIPATION STIPEND

Phase I:
Getting Ahead Program

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 16-week series for motivated people ready to change their life by acquiring the tools and support necessary to "get ahead" in today’s world.

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World takes participants on a step-by-step journey to discover resources and build the resiliency necessary to overcome life's obstacles. This program helps participants build the life they want.

Sessions Include the Following Modules:

01

MY LIFE NOW

Investigate poverty; what is it like for us and our community?

02

THEORY OF CHANGE

Be free from solving the same problems over and over again.

03

RICH/POOR GAP

Research on causes of poverty; understand poverty from different perspectives.

04

HIDDEN RULES OF ECONOMIC CLASS

Learn, understand, and be able to use the Hidden "Rules" of the wealthy, middle class and impoverished.

05

IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE

Investigate formal register and negotiation tools.

06

ELEVEN RESOURCES

Investigate societal, community, relational, emotional, and financial resources.

07

SELF ASSESMENT OF RESOURCES

Conduct self-assessments.

08

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Deeper investigation of community resources.

09

BUILDING RESOURCES

Create a treasure chest to achieve economic stability.

10

PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY PLANS

Develop a detailed plan for your future.

By December 31, 2025, program practitioners aim for 176 participants to complete Phase I.

Participants are selected based on the information provided within the application, along with their willingness to fully commit to all sessions of the program.  

Sessions are held virtually.

Equipment is provided.

Phase II:
Getting Ahead GRADUATE Program

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Cohort '24

The second phase elevates participants' commitment to improving their own lives.

Mentors become their teammate to provide the encouragement in achieving self-sufficiency and sustainability.

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Cohort '24

Assists Graduates with developing a pragmatic action plan to their vision of a better life.

Guides Graduates in building financial, social, and emotional resources.

Provides Graduate with incentives once  successes and milestones are achieved.

6 MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM

MUST FIRST COMPLETE PHASE I
BEFORE ENROLLING

Phase III:
Getting Ahead ALUMNI Program

Continue your journey.
Become an Ambassador.
Connect. Teach. Empower others. 

Continues exploring key community resources to maintain

self-sufficiency.

Provides educational workshops and online resources to stay motivated on journey.

ONGOING PROGRAM

Hosts

community job fairs, networking opportunities and recognition events throughout the year.

Provides alumni participants the opportunity to become mentors, facilitators, and even Vincentians to continue strengthening the community.

MUST FIRST COMPLETE
PHASES I and II

Participant Experience

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Christy

Christy loved the getting ahead program. She states it was instrumental for her personal and professional growth. Christy has learned systemic poverty and how to overcome it. Although she remains at her current job, she  states she now has a better insight on how to look for better opportunities.  Christy has gone through the 16 week getting ahead program, graduate program and is now helping facilitate alumni program.

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Mary

Mary had lost her job and had no income for over 3 months. Due to her lack of knowledge about available resources, this was a difficult situation to overcome. After participating in  the Getting Ahead program, she has started to work through her situations and begin a new path to financial stability. Mary continues to refer other individuals to the program and hopes to become a facilitator for the program to help others around her.

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Gloria

Gloria shares that the getting ahead program is an open environment to discuss situations that have impacted you, and how the resources provided in the program helped resolve those issues. She says what she liked the most was that resources cam from both mentors and other participants in the program. Gloria would like to participate more with the community and expand the information she has received in the prgram.

Submit your application for the
New Cohort:

Make an impact by becoming a Program Facilitator or Mentor today: 

gettingahead@svdphouston.org

Join in prayer for the program participants by clicking HERE

 

Share Brochure and Poster with your church members.

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