Building HOPE

Building HOPE Tackling Persistent Poverty through Economic Opportunity Students at ENCORE Academy HOPE Charter School Facilities Fund

PERSISTENT POVERTY IN THE MID SOUTH The Mid South Delta region is home to more than 1/4 of the nation’s persistent poverty counties, where more than 20% of residents have lived in poverty for at least 30 years.

But there is HOPE...

Persistent Poverty Counties

Together, we can improve lives in high-poverty areas...Together, we can make our economy more equitable...Together, we can ensure that all children, no matter where they live, have a chance to succeed...Together, we can do more... but we must take action now.

Join our capital campaign to create opportunity where it is needed most.

Together there is HOPE

“I never thought we would have owned a business, and honestly, without HOPE, I don’t think we would have.”

- Renee, Co-owner Sweet Stuff Cake Boutique

JOBS Unemployment rates in the Mid South are among the highest in the nation.

The need for jobs is greatest in persistent poverty counties.

2,500 jobs

will be created or retained through HOPE’s Small Business Financing

Persistent Poverty Counties Stephanie & Renee at Sweet Stuff Cake Boutique | HOPE Small Business Financing

Unemployment More than 1.5 times the national average

EDUCATION Mid South states have some of the lowest graduation rates in the nation. The lowest performing school districts are concentrated in persistent poverty counties.

10,000 students

will gain access to high-quality schools through HOPE’s Charter School Facilities Fund

Persistent Poverty Counties Students at McDonogh 42 Elementary | HOPE Charter School Facilities Fund

Low-Performing School Districts

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES Adults in Mid South states have the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption in the United States, and have the highest rates of residents who have not seen a doctor due to affordability.

227,000 people

will have access to nutritious food through HOPE’s Mid South Healthy Food Initiative

50,000 patients

will be served through HOPE’s Community Facilities Fund

Persistent Poverty Counties Dryades Market | HOPE Mid South Healthy Food Initiative

County Health Rankings Lowest 25% by state

“I never thought owning a home was something I could do.”

-Ernyce HOPE First-time Homeowner

HOMEOWNERSHIP Some of the highest rates of high-cost mortgage lending are in the Mid South.

High-cost lending is most pervasive in persistent poverty counties.

620

first-time homeowners

will be assisted through HOPE’s Mortgage Lending

Persistent Poverty Counties Ernyce | HOPE Mortgage Lending

High-Cost Mortgage Lending Counties above state average

FINANCIAL INCLUSION 3 of the 5 counties with the highest rate of unbanked residents in the country are in Mid South states.The highest concentration of unbanked households are in persistent poverty counties.

19,000

individuals

will become fully banked through membership in Hope Credit Union

Persistent Poverty Counties The GarcĂ­a Family | Hope Credit Union Members

Unbanked More than 1.5 times the national average

EQUITY 35 of the 39 majority-black counties and parishes in the Mid South are persistent poverty counties.

80%

of new HOPE account owners,

70% of new HOPE homebuyers &

35%

of new HOPE business borrowers

will be people of color

Persistent Poverty Counties The Denson Family | Hope Credit Union Members

Majority-Black Counties

“This place is an answer to prayers for me. ” -Joey, Resident Riverside Park

JOIN US TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST Join our $50 million capital campaign to tackle persistent poverty through economic opportunity.

These funds will be used for:

OPERATING SUPPORT $18 million HOPE CREDIT UNION EQUITY $18 million HOPE POLICY INSTITUTE $14 million Your support will:

Ensure

10,000 students

gain access to high-quality schools.

hospitals & clinics to serve

50,000 residents

Create or retain

of low-income communities.

jobs.

Assist

2,500 Help

19,000

individuals Joey at Riverside Park Apartments | HOPE Affordable Housing Lending

Support

the expansion of

become fully banked through Hope Credit Union.

620

first-time homeowners.

Provide

227,000 people

with access to fresh food through HOPE’s Mid South Healthy Food Initiative.

Serve

more than

40,000

members, of which

80% will be

people of color.

CREATING OPPORTUNITY WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST.

Contact: Bill Bynum at bill.bynum@hope-ec.org or 601-944-4152

www.hope-ec.org