Project Access Making Progress in Low-Income Communities

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 10, 2013 – Project Access, the state’s leading provider of vital health, education and employment services for families, children and seniors living in low-income housing communities, is making good progress despite economic challenges facing residents, according to a recent report issued by the organization.

Project Access currently partners with 16 affordable housing developers to provide programs and services to residents, including Affordable Housing Access, AIMCO, BCC Corporation, Bridge Housing, Chelwood Partners, Eden Housing, KDF Communities, Oakland Housing Authority, Vitus Advisors, Related of California and Bristol Equity Capital.

“We are pleased to report that in 2012, Project Access served nearly 10,000 low- income families, children and seniors statewide,” CEO & President Kristin Byrnes said. “While improvements have been made in many areas of need, much more remains to be done. We thank our supporters, partners and staff for their positive contributions.”

As a learning organization, Project Access measures the social impact of its program and services to ensure goals are met. Here are some highlights:

Statewide Operations

• Assisted nearly 10,000 low-income residents in California, and started the process to extend our reach to Denver, Colorado.

• Secured 110 community partnerships with many well respected organizations, including University of Southern California.

• 84% of children served showed positive achievement in their reading

scores.

• Started of an organizational endowment. Program Outcomes

Health:

• 4,963 residents participated in health education programs, including preventative screenings, health fairs, exercise classes, nutrition programs and food distribution programs.

• 83% of residents reported that health workshops, screenings, nutrition classes and referrals to outside organizations increased healthy behaviors in their family.

Education for Youth:

• 2,119 youth participated in the After-School Tutoring program. 84% of children showed positive achievement in reading scores. 73% of children showed positive achievement in math scores.

• 3,751 adults and youth accessed technology through Project Access or by taking part in the computer classes.

• 79% of residents reported that Project Access computer labs have improved their access to information (job opportunities, social connections, health resources, etc.).

Independent Living for Seniors:

• 919 seniors participated in socialization and transportation programs

• 97% of seniors indicated that Project Access programs helped decrease

their social isolation and increase their socialization.

Capacity Building for Adults:

• 1,753 residents received assistance preparing for employment, improved their financial literacy skills, improved their parenting skills and learned English.

• 98% of the residents who received assistance in interviewing skills indicated the training was helpful in securing employment.

Organizational Growth

• We opened 13 new Resource Centers including seven Senior Resource Centers in San Jose, which represented a 77% Growth in Northern California, and a 23% growth in Southern California.

• The announcement was made that Project Access will add two Family Resource Centers in Denver, Colorado with ROC-Bridge Partners.

• In 2012, JSM, Inc. joined our family of 16 affordable housing developer partners.

LINK TO PRESS RELEASE DOCUMENT.