This was a year long action research project in which I partnered with the Center for Women & Enterprise in Providence to assess how entrepreneurial training and support can eradicate poverty and dependency on public benefits.

1. RI’s Hidden
Entrepreneur
on Welfare
Shirley X. Moore
Springfield College, School of Professional
and Continuing Studies
December 4, 2017

2. Introduction
– Entrepreneur
– Domestic Violence Advocate
– 27 Million Entrepreneurs
– Work First State
– Entrepreneurship Training

3. Research Question
“How do we identify
welfare recipients with
entrepreneurial skills, train
them to launch successful
businesses and empower
them to diminish their
need for public benefits?”

4. Goal of the Project
The goal of this project was to
confirm the need for change in
the human services field. I
aimed to prove that our clients
are in need of viable solutions
for their most basic needs and
with the proper support some
of them could be future CEOs.

5. Community Partner
– Center for Women & Enterprise
– Carmen Diaz-Jusino, MS
– Business Development
– Technical assistance
– 78% Women Clients
– 50% Minority
– 47% Low-Income

6. Project Overview
– Amos House
– Providence Housing Authority
– Diverse groups
– Dependent on public benefit
– Did they have business ideas?
– If so, what did they need to
launch them?

7. Literature Review
– “We need entrepreneurs to partner with
us. This isn’t work for case managers who
have more of a service mentality than a
business one.”
-Melissa Husband, CAPPro
– “Graduates are more likely to have higher
income rates.” – FIELD
– “My case worker made the difference in
my life. She encouraged and supported
me through my process.” –Aja
McClanahan

8. Research Methods
– Two focus groups
– Two separate locations
– Two weeks apart
– Same list of questions
– Participants assigned numbers

9. Data

10. Data
Table 1: If so which ones [benefits]?
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)……… 57%
Medicaid……..…………...………………………………….. 57%
Public Housing……………………………………………….. 47%
Medicare……………………………………………………… 5%
Social Security Insurance……………………………………… 5%
Social Security Disability Insurance…………………………. 5%
Veteran’s Benefits……………………………………………. 0
Child Care Assistance………………………………………… 0
Note: A person can receive more than one public benefit at a time.

11. Data

12. Data
Table 3: What do you think you need to launch a business?
Investment/Money…………………………………………………………………… 89%
Training……………………………………………………………………………… 80%
Space……………………………………………………………………………….. 53%
Mentoring…………………………………………………………………………… 26%
License/Certification………………………………………………………………… 26%
Business Plan………………………………………………………………………… 26%
Transportation……………………………………………………………………….. 11%
Equipment ………………………………………………………………………….. 11%
Taxes………………………………………………………………………………. 11%
Customer Acquisition……………………………………………………………… 11%
Computer Skills……………………………………………………………………. 11%
Daycare…………………………………………………………………………….. 5%

13. Outcomes
– Identifying
– People of Color
– Male and Females
– Training
– Programs, Resources, Workers
– Education
– Launch
– Seed Money
– Mentoring
– Space

14. Quotes
“I would like to launch a business, but I
don’t want to lose my benefits.”
-Participant 16
“The Department just needs someone to
submit an RFP for such a program.”
-Zulma Garcia, DHS Administrator
“[The Department can] clearly and
abundantly make clear what programs are
available to help first time business
owners.” –Participant 4

15. Future of Project
− Interview Local Entrepreneurs
− Partner with CWE & IEL
− RFP DHS
− Recruit Clients
− Create Individualized Plans
− Provide Personal Development
− Launch Businesses

16. Lessons Learned
– Nothing is impossible.
– Everyone dreams.
– Just keep swimming!
– People are RESILIENT.
– Everything is an opportunity.
– Do it now! Apologize later!

17. Acknowledgements
– My Clients
– Keno Mullings
– Carmen Diaz-Jusino, MS
– Center for Women & Enterprise
– Saudy Gibbons and Robert Grigore
– Bill Clements
– Jordan Alexander Moore
– Ramel Moore

18. Questions