| Name | Michael |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Gordon |
| Home Address | 909 Magnolia Street Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403 United States |
| Organization Name | The Pursuit of Happiness for Underserved and Under-Resourced Youth |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | President/CEO |
| Organization Address | 4001 Rossville Boulevard, Suite 110 Chattanooga, Tennessee 37407 United States |
| Website | https://www.thepursuitofhappiness423.com/ |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | (423) 355-1646 |
| Alternate Phone Number | (423) 624-9650 |
| Email Address | thepursuitofhappiness423@gmail.com |
| Alternate Email Address | gomab576@gmail.com |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | The Pursuit of Happiness for Underserved and Under-Resourced Youth is a Chattanooga-based 501c3 grassroots counseling and community outreach organization, whose mission is to restore hope by alleviating the drivers of poverty, one life at a time. The nonprofit is committed to responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the effects of trauma and poverty on youth living in Chattanooga’s underserved and under-resourced communities. The Pursuit of Happiness focuses on interrupting cycles and patterns of trauma in youth by supporting their healing, improving access and opportunities for work and economic advancement, and providing supportive role models and engaged community leaders. Its holistic, evidence-based approach rests on three key program pillars: Counseling, Mentoring, and Internships/Conferences. This American Rescue Plan grant request builds upon existing trauma-informed and driven programming activities, while incorporating the following: Counseling: With a focus on in-home counseling services, The Pursuit of Happiness will provide short-term (approximately 4-6 months, twice a week) behavioral and clinical services to 100 identified and referred youth and their families in underserved and under-resourced communities. These services will provide essential resources to those disproportionately at risk to adverse mental and behavioral health outcomes. They will empower youth with the necessary skills to live fulfilled and successful lives at home, school, and in the community, while preventing and/or reducing involvement with the Juvenile Justice System. Counseling in-home intentionally includes parents and other household members so everyone is equally invested in the student’s success, and it does so in a cost-effective and accessible way. Frequent mental health therapeutic support directs young people towards having a greater awareness of consequences in decision-making and, through trauma-informed care, the student’s mental health situation is not viewed as “what is wrong with him/her?” but instead as “what negatively impacted him/her?” We believe this approach of compassion and care has the potential to empower a young person towards a life of achievement and fulfillment. Mentoring: Mentors introduce new experiences and provide a consistent, positive presence in the life of a young person facing negative pressures and adverse circumstances. The Pursuit of Happiness will accept referred and identified students into its mentoring program. Some 50 to 100 mentors will meet once or twice a month at home, school, or other appropriate location in the community. Mentors will focus on supporting students in their academic, professional, and personal realms and will relay the necessary information to the student’s guardian after each meeting to ensure proper measures are in place for the student to maintain expected academics, behavior, attendance, etc. By cultivating positive social and emotional development, elevating self-esteem, and instilling attributes of professionalism, quality and invested mentoring greatly enhances a student’s motivation, dedication, and commitment. Internships/Conferences: Through internships, students in grades 9-12, as well as those in their first year of college will gain the experience and professionalism needed to enter the workforce by working alongside community leaders in their respective fields. The internships will take place during the summer months and school year and will cultivate community and corporate connections. Students seeking to obtain an internship must go through a formal application and interview process, and complete an exit interview at the conclusion of the term to review progress. The internships will be paid, as students living in low-income circumstances often do not have the luxury to accept unpaid internships. If money for transportation is needed, it will be covered. Internships are valuable experiences, allowing students to learn workplace etiquette and gain opportunities and skills that will serve as stepping stones to their obtaining long-term employment. Some 40 students from eight Title I schools will be selected for 2022 and 2023 internships, and will attend two 4-hour conferences. ARP funds will be matched with funds received from private firms in 2023. Telehealth: The Pursuit of Happiness hopes to purchase 40 to 100 computer tablets to be used by youth and their families quarantining with COVID. This will allow clients to continue their in-home counseling, using telehealth or virtual counseling. Many of these families do not have access to technology and, because poverty and ACEs affects each child individually, the counseling sessions are personalized for each family. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | The Pursuit of Happiness for Underserved and Under-Resourced Youth began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020. During this time and over the last year, health, juvenile justice, and school officials expressed concerns about COVID’s impact to youth, ages 5-18. A good deal of children in Hamilton County Schools were being suspended, using drugs, and receiving referrals to Juvenile Court. Youth suicides were up, depression was way up, and the number of runaways had increased. As a result of COVID, Hamilton County was not effectively addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-06-11/cdc-study-documents-rise-in-adolescent-suicide-attempts-during-pandemic COVID shut downs in 2020 – among schools, City Recreation Centers, malls, movie theaters, community festivals, concerts/events, and other places where youth gather – have increased the impact of ACEs, trauma, and grief in youth. School-aged children living in poverty, especially females and racial/ethnic minorities, are disproportionally at risk to adverse health outcomes because they typically experience four or more ACEs, according to the Centers for Disease Control. These traumatic events that children, birth to age 17, encounter can include: experiencing gun violence, sexual abuse or neglect; witnessing domestic assaults and other violence in the home or community; having a family member attempt or die of suicide; living in households with substance use, mental health problems, parental separation or a family member in jail/prison; and facing homelessness or food insecurity ( https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html ). Hamilton County’s most recent data (2012-2016) shows that more than one in five children (22%) live below the poverty line. In East Chattanooga (zip codes 37404 and 37406), Alton Park (37410) and East Lake (37407), more than 50% of the population under 18 live below the poverty line. These underserved and under-resourced communities in Chattanooga are largely urban communities of color. Furthermore, black, Hispanic, and multiracial people account for 84% of those living below the federal poverty line. In 2017, while life expectancy increased for whites, it decreased for blacks, widening the health disparity gap. The Hamilton County Health Department noted in its 2019 report that, “On any given day in Hamilton County, approximately 40% of the roughly 1,500 inmates in the Hamilton County Jail and Silverdale correctional facility receive psychotropic medications. Officials believe the actual number of inmates with mental illness is likely higher, considering that some have undiagnosed conditions.” As of 2018, there were 1,349 blacks in jail, compared to 501 whites, for every 100,000 residents aged 15-64. The Health Department on its COVID dashboard (updated Feb. 2, 2022) indicated that African Americans had the lowest percentage of vaccinations in Hamilton County, with 27,196 out of 67,998 receiving partial vaccinations, or 40% of the population. African Americans also had 17% of COVID cases and 23% of deaths from COVID. The stressors of poverty, fear and grief resulting from COVID, coupled with undiagnosed mental health challenges often have resulted in under-resourced youth and families experiencing depression, anger, anxiety, and other mental illnesses at high rates. Without intervention, these early exposures to trauma or ACEs can lead to children underperforming in school, experiencing higher rates of suspension, facing lower rates of high school graduation, and can negatively impact behavior, physical health, and overall quality of life. However, with proper treatment, resources and support, students with ACEs can rechart their course and defy the expectations placed before them. |
| Where would your project take place? | City of Chattanooga |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 500000 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | Yes |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | Hamico Foundation has expressed an interest in providing matching funds for the City's ARP grant. Hamico previously gave $14,000 in funds. Regions Bank - $4,700 Pinnacle Bank - $2,500 Cempa Cares/Chattanooga Cares - $2,000 Generosity Trust - $1,000 Maclellan Foundation - $1,000 Crimmins Foundation - $9,000 Shawanna Kendrick Girls Leadership Summit - $500 Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga - $1,000 Food City - $2,500 Ted Alling - $1,000 Quillen Foundation - $1,000 Caldwell Jones Foundation - $8,000 Kykos Foundation - $1,000 |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | The Pursuit of Happiness for Underserved and Under-Resourced Youth is asking the City to provide the entire $500,000 in funding for the two-year period, as we are currently implementing a 3-year Capital Campaign to raise the additional $500,000 in funds. |
| If funded, when would your project start? | March 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 30 months |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | The Pursuit of Happiness takes many steps to track rates of impact on both an individual and collective level. The organization tracks screenings, school attendance, improved behavior in class, number of suspensions, placement in evening or morning school, juvenile justice (police and court) interactions, fluctuation of grades (increases or decreases), improvements in the child’s coping and interpersonal skills, nature and quality of family relationships, reductions in runaways or removals from the home, employment status, and progress towards any goals set at the beginning of treatment. Upon discharge, the counselor provides a summary of progress and care to the referral source. Regarding internships, a Pursuit of Happiness staff member visits interns once a week and talks with the site supervisor at each facility to gauge effectiveness and progress. The site supervisor is asked to submit an exit interview progress report, documenting growth and achievements of interns over the course of the term. The Pursuit of Happiness also tracks the number of interns each quarter and, following the internship, continues to track high school graduation rates, college acceptance rates, and rates of securing a full-time job for alumni of the program (when possible). Similarly, mentors and mentees will record initial referral concerns, as well as the goals set during the initial meeting. Mentors are asked to submit a monthly progress form to document mentee progress, goals, and data points. Also, the Pursuit of Happiness will track high school graduation rates and college acceptance rates, incarceration rates over a 10-year period (when possible), and rates of mentees securing a steady job that provides reliable income (when possible). Each quarter, the Pursuit of Happiness will report to the City the number and sources of counseling referrals, the current number of students receiving services, the number of interns, and the number of mentors/mentees. The organization also will report budgetary changes over the quarter, the number of trainings/events held, number of trainings/events attended by staff, and any relevant highlights. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | Each identified or referred youth will undergo an initial screening, using the ACEs screening tool, and a weekly suicide screening. A counselor will meet with family members and/or a referral source to explore basic needs and goals, as well as discuss results from the initial screening. To prevent transgenerational trauma, parents/caregivers are required to be a part of in-home counseling. The Pursuit of Happiness engages a multi-disciplinary team to develop treatment plans for the youth, including any necessary outpatient therapy, mentors, medical management, etc. Counselors work closely with principals, teachers, community members and others integral to the care of each child for accountability and observation. The Pursuit of Happiness counselors visit each child’s school weekly, attend Juvenile Court, meet with each child’s probation officer, and hold families accountable for sending their children to school. Mid-term and upon completion of the 4-6 weeks of in-home counseling, the counselor conducts an ACEs screening and provides a summary of progress and care to the referral source. Parent/caregiver surveys also are conducted every six to eight weeks. By completing post-program screening around the traumas experienced and the new skills learned to deal with those traumas, counselors can assess the progress of each youth and their parents/caregivers. Each quarter, the organization will report the number and sources of counseling referrals, and the current number of students and families receiving services. Additionally, the Pursuit of Happiness will report budgetary changes each quarter, the number of trainings/events held and attended by staff, and any relevant highlights or notes. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | After a year of knocking on doors for fundraising and organizational support, assessing untapped needs for local youth suffering from ACEs, and establishing relationships with key referral agencies; The Pursuit of Happiness began working directly with youth and their families on May 9, 2021. Since then, the organization has initiated in-home counseling and case management services with 40 referrals from Juvenile Court; five referrals from Hamilton County Schools; seven from the community or parents/caregivers; and one referral from a pediatrician. The schools and zip codes currently served through referrals are: Central High, 37341; Orchard Knob Middle, 37404; Hardy Elementary, 37406; East Lake Academy, 37407; The Howard School, 37408; Woodmore Elementary, Brainerd High, and Dalewood Middle, all three schools in 37411; East Ridge High, 37412; Red Bank Middle and Red Bank High, both in 37415; and Tyner (High) Academy, 37421. A majority of these schools are Title I, free and reduced lunch schools, located in underserved areas where families are not educated about available services and resources. Most of the youth served by The Pursuit of Happiness are African Americans living in high-crime areas, where similar agencies refuse to go for in-home counseling. The organization receives the highest number of referrals of youth participating in Hamilton County Juvenile Court’s Severe Habitual Offender Program. Though parents/caregivers are asked to pay for in-home counseling on a sliding fee scale, The Pursuit of Happiness accepts all referred youth and their families, regardless of their lack of health insurance or inability to pay fees – unlike with other local agencies that require insurance. This open-door policy allows The Pursuit of Happiness to work with those youth severely impacted by multiple ACEs. They include families living in poverty and unable to pay for trauma-informed care, as well as those facing unemployment, temporary and transitional housing, or homelessness. The organization uses donations to support youth, whose families have no insurance and no means of paying for needed counseling. As a result of its success in reducing the effects of ACEs, referrals to The Pursuit of Happiness have grown at such an accelerated rate that the organization is now receiving requests for five to seven referrals each week. Through ARP funds, The Pursuit of Happiness for Underserved and Under-Resourced Youth will be able to expand its capacity to serve 50 to 100 youth in its mentoring program; 40 youth, annually, in its internship program; and 100 youth in its counseling program. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | The Pursuit of Happiness is rooted in partnerships and is aptly positioned to continue building upon its strong community connections. The organization’s office lies within an Impact Hub, developed by one of its community partners, Metropolitan Ministries, which houses a total of five community nonprofits well-positioned to treat a variety of client needs including physical healthcare, incarceration, and homelessness. The Pursuit of Happiness receives referrals from educators, judges, families, physicians, and community members, who deem trauma-informed care to be the most beneficial option for youth with ACEs. The organization will provide ACEs and trauma-based care training to as many area schools and community centers as possible, expanding upon the Hamilton County Schools initiative to train educators to appropriately respond to students dealing with trauma, which has been implemented in 17 schools since 2018. The Pursuit of Happiness also partners with Street Grace, an organization that utilizes evidence-based demand reduction strategies to eradicate the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Finally, the Pursuit of Happiness has connected with local companies, such as Pinnacle Bank, to offer paid internships to underserved and under-resourced students, who do not have the luxury to accept an unpaid internship to gain the necessary experience to enter the job market alongside their more affluent peers. While multiple companies are already participating in the internship program, we seek to join hands with more companies in broader fields of work and expand it to a year-round opportunity for professional experience and consistent employment. |
| Name | Doug Stein |
| Contact Information | (423) 413-2210 |
| Name | Dr. Lucas Queen |
| Contact Information | (423) 421-5992 |
| Name | Kevin Conley |
| Contact Information | (423) 933-6864 |
| Name | Joli Anderson |
| Contact Information | (423) 667-5641 |
| Name | Lou Ziebold |
| Contact Information | (423) 645-7222 |
| Name | Sharonda Brown |
| Contact Information | (202) 689-7270 |
| Name | Troy Rogers |
| Contact Information | (423) 305-2707 |
| Name | Lorri Cross |
| Contact Information | (423) 394-0292 |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | The Pursuit of Happiness continues to seek private foundation and donor support. Over the next year, the organization will be accredited and licensed to bill for insurance, like other local agencies counseling youth with ACEs. Certified professionals and community members, led by Michael Gordon, will continue to partner with youth and their families to offer mental health services, mentorship, professional experience, and educational opportunities on a consistent basis. Mr. Gordon holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Social Work from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has spent 25 years working in trauma-informed care with children and families, as a Family Development Counselor and Certified Anger Management Specialist. He has a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of children and adults in Chattanooga. While working as a counselor in the past, his duties included creating behavioral modification plans to impact decision making, advocating for families in school environments, assisting with IEP and 501 plans, and connecting OPT, psychiatrists, teachers, and clinical staff in the community. |