Our meals are served to each participant, their children, Grad club and all volunteers. For some hard working families, this simple act of kindness makes all difference. We have participants, volunteers and Grad club members who arrive to class right after work. One semester, we had a woman who was homeless and this was her one hot meal of the week. You have no idea how much a meal contributes to the success of our course and families. 

Our incentives provides motivation, alleviates stress and provides dopamine which improves attention, memory and motivation (all the areas trauma and poverty affects). When a participant is able to achieve points for small task it enhances their ability to complete more. They earn points for small wins such as arriving to class on time, and completing assignments. Also, bigger wins such as staying on budget and achieving a goal. 

Our incentives are items that can be used to alleviate pressure off their budget, purchase personal hygiene items or home goods or improve their family dynamics. Each participant can use their points to purchase gift cards, items or services like oil changes. For example last semester, our Graduates who knew they were moving for the summer, worked hard on their goals and saved their points. They cashed them in at the end so they could use them to purchase items they needed for their new home.