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<br /> <br />2 <br /> Mr. Huja asked if there is a connection between the Monticello Area Community <br />Action Agency and the Department of Social Services. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said many of the same clients are served. He said MACAA offers other <br />programs such as money management. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Dr. Brown about banking initiatives, Mr. Cox said <br />some of that was done in the Summer Internship Program and MACAA does some. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked why things such as financial management are not woven <br />throughout the existing programs, and Mr. Cox said they are to some extent, noting that <br />such services are provided by Piedmont Housing Alliance, Quality Community Council, <br />and MACAA. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if there are models for banking. He noted that free banking is <br />offered to college students. <br /> <br /> Ms. Karen Waters, Executive Director of QCC, said that they did an experiment <br />modeled on the City’s internship program where interns were paid twice as much and <br />were required to deposit half of their stipend in the bank. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox reviewed examples of poverty initiatives in other cities. He said <br />common themes of these initiatives are public/private partnerships; city as a convener, <br />catalyst and advocate; and identifying specific populations, neighborhoods or needs for <br />priority focus. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he is interested in outreach to employers regarding ex-offenders <br />finding employment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said he noticed that all of the case studies cited by Mr. Cox had specific <br />goals. <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said there are not as many job opportunities in Charlottesville as <br />many of the localities discussed, such as manufacturing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said we should work with major regional employers on providing <br />transportation. <br /> <br /> The issues of providing free buses to low income persons and LPN training was <br />discussed. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he is open to looking at reduced or free bus fares for low income <br />residents in a specific way to support people needing transportation for groceries or to get <br />to their employment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris reviewed issues discussed: workforce development as a major focus <br />area; race issues in poverty; connect job creation with infrastructure needs; employment <br />of ex-felons; family composition; case management; banking/financial literacy; high <br />school drop out rate; remove disincentives to work; and transportation to work. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards noted that the other cities were catalysts in their initiatives. She said <br />we need to take the lead to assure that citizens are provided the opportunity to be <br />successful. She said we need to define economic justice. She said she would like to have <br />a town hall meeting and hear more of what needs are, then move toward a poverty action <br />recommendation. She suggested bringing in Children, Youth and Families Services. She <br />asked which agencies support bringing people out of poverty. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said public/private partnerships are important. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown agreed, especially given the budget situation in the next few years. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he likes programs that have measureable goals. <br /> <br /> <br />