YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and
Operation Better Block
Bridge to Benefits

Description:  This investment will launch “Bridge to Benefits,” an education and outreach campaign to create awareness about existing community services and enroll Homewood residents in public safety net programs.  The program is a part of the Homewood Children’s Village (HCV) initiative, which is based on the internationally acclaimed Harlem Children’s Zone model to engage entire families to rebuild the community and achieve successful outcomes for children.

The Program Serves a Population with Great Needs:   Homewood is a struggling City neighborhood of roughly 9,200 residents (95% African American), where 72% of households with children are headed by single parents, the childhood poverty rate exceeds 50%, and 87% of children are eligible for the federal free or reduced school lunch program. 

The Program Achieves Measurable Results:  “Bridge to Benefits” is a new program.  Since 2007, HCV has received program development consultation services from the Harlem Children’s Zone; facilitated formal data sharing agreements with the Dept of Human Services, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Race & Social Problems; and opened a dialogue with Pittsburgh Public Schools to transform Westinghouse High School into a full-service community school. 

The Program Applies a Sound Approach:   The “Bridge to Benefits” program is built upon best practices described in the report “Outreach Strategies for Medicare and SCHIP: An Overview of Effective Strategies and Activities” (Children’s Defense Fund, 2006).  Strategies include: targeting eligible populations through culturally competent, consumer-driven marketing strategies and multi-faceted outreach campaigns; facilitating enrollment and retention through partnerships and simplified application and enrollment processes, and ensuring access to care through person-to-person contacts. 

Alignment with Preferred Outcomes and Likelihood of Community Change:

• 67% of residents of Homewood will access at least one new public benefit
• 66% of households served will move from “vulnerable” to “safe/stable” status

Community Outcomes:
The agency and its partners will document results and lessons learned to inform the public sector and other funders on the barriers to accessing safety net resources and how to improve services.  The project’s success will be the primary tool used to leverage future support from foundations, government, and other funding sources and to engage families in future HCV activities and programs.