Experiment In Self-Reliance
The Experiment In Self-Reliance (ESR) is a non-profit organization that works to eliminate homelessness and poverty in the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County communities of North Carolina.
History
ESR was founded in 1964 as one of the first Community Action Agencies born of Lyndon Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Over the years, ESR has reconstructed the architecture of its programs and re-envisioned its service delivery in an effort to stay abreast of changing times, changing needs, and the changing face of poverty – from the War on Poverty to Welfare Reform. After its founding, ESR’s growth institutionalization during the 1970’s and early ‘80’s was assured under the leadership of the legendary community servant Louise Wilson. Its mission was preserved and fostered through the 1980’s and ‘90’s by Bob Law, and its change to a self-sufficiency agency addressing the new challenges posed by the welfare reform movement has been ensured under the 21st century leadership of current Executive Director Twana Wellman. ESR played an early pivotal role in launching such integral local organizations as Head Start, Crisis Control, TransAid, Legal Aide and others. The latest new initiatives are in the areas of economic literacy, asset building, credit repair, and wealth accumulation, which are the next steps for a family after the establishment of economic and social self-sufficiency.
Programs
Since its founding ESR has offered many different programs that have changed over the years to follow trends such as welfare reform in the 1990s and the 2000s initiative to end homelessness within a decade. All of ESR's programs except Information and Referral are designed to assist households with low-incomes, with at least one member of the household employed, including working homeless families. The major programs currently being offered at ESR include the Self-Sufficiency Program, NC Saves, Individual Development Accounts, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Transitional Housing.
Self-Sufficiency Program
ESR seeks to accomplish its mission through intensive case management. Each client is assigned to a caseworker who will help them develop an individualized case plan, tailored to fit his or her needs and goals. The case plan details those goals, and the steps needed to achieve them. Clients can remain in the Self-Sufficiency program for up to two years.
NC Saves
NC Saves (formerly "ESR Saves") is modeled on the "America Saves" program of savings and asset building. Program participants may also be eligible to become ESR clients, and receive intensive case management services, including budget counseling and basic economic literacy training. The program emphasizes savings, asset building, and wealth accumulation, and provides participants with the tools to help them become financially stable, and eventually economically self-sufficient.
Individual Development Accounts
The New Century Individual Development Account (IDA) Program helps working residents of Forsyth County become first-time homeowners. This program combines asset building and education to teach participants how to manage their money wisely, how to search for and obtain financing for a home, and finally how to find and purchase that home. Participants in the New Century IDA Program receive economic literacy training, first-time homebuyer's training, and support every step of the way, from opening a savings account to the closing table, and beyond. The IDA Program can help low-income families gain a stake in their community and in so doing help eliminate generational poverty.
Earned Income Tax Credit
ESR provides a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site each year during the tax season for its clients and for the general public. Our VITA site is able to prepare basic tax returns for low-income residents, including Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Education Credit, and Child Tax Credit worksheets. Federal and state tax returns are processed electronically. You will need to bring:
Transitional Housing
Transitional Housing provides temporary housing for the working homeless, and works to transition clients into permanent, affordable housing. The Transitional Housing Program is also invested in community related initiatives including: Project Homeless Connect; Days of Caring; Veterans Stand-Down; Point in Time Homeless Count; Career Connections and Prosperity Center and many more.
Mission and Vision Statements
ESR Mission
"ESR helps 'working low-income' and 'chronically homeless' individuals and families who are ready to help themselves achieve their full potential for functional, social, and economic self-reliance through the design and application of cost-effective, individualized Client Success Plans."
ESR Vision
"ESR will be widely regarded across the entire community as a major contributor to cost-effective reduction of poverty and homelessness in Forsyth County."