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