Recognizing that many of our homeless population desire to have fulfilling employment but whose circumstances might not warrant gainful employment we want to implement a business model to create work for those who are physically and mentally capable. Many in the industry of service to the homeless have noticed that most struggle with the typical structure of employment and may even be learning disabled; struggling to keep a commitment and to stay focused. When asked what they best like about being homeless one of the common answers is freedom. We will reach out to those entrepreneurs in the community who desire to mentor the formerly homeless in starting small flexible businesses. Skills taught will be startup, management, marketing, customer service and operations. All of the profit will go towards the newly minted entrepreneur. The goal is to create a modest living income source that is sufficient to live with dignity within the Habitat on Wheels community. That income is approximately $850 per month net.
4. The Micro-Enterprise Idea To achieve the goal stated above, the leadership of Mobile Loaves & Fishes proposes to develop a 'micro-economic business program' that can complement its existing Habitat on Wheels (HOW) program. HOW gets people off the street by providing them with recreational vehicle housing and the support they need to improve their circumstances and heal from the ravages of living on the streets. This solution not only provides participants with housing, but also with a supportive community that is dedicated to helping them effect positive change in their lives and guide them to re-instill a purpose in their lives. Learn more about HOW and MLF: www.mlfnow.org/how “ How do we get someone off of the streets for a small but meaningful amount of money while giving them the freedom and flexibility that entrepreneurs usually have?” - Alan Graham (President, MLF)
5. Why Micro-Enterprise? Recognizing that many of our homeless population desire to have fulfilling employment but whose circumstances might not warrant gainful employment we want to implement a business model to create work for those who are physically and mentally capable. Many in the industry of service to the homeless have noticed that most struggle with the typical structure of employment and may even be learning disabled; struggling to keep a commitment and to stay focused. When asked what they best like about being homeless one of the common answers is freedom. We will reach out to those entrepreneurs in the community who desire to mentor the formerly homeless in starting small flexible businesses. Skills taught will be startup, management, marketing, customer service and operations. All of the profit will go towards the newly minted entrepreneur. The goal is to create a modest living income source that is sufficient to live with dignity within the Habitat on Wheels community. That income is approximately $850 per month net . “ You will find that most of the individuals who live on the streets have similar makeup to many of our entrepreneurs but have never had the education, formation or mentorship to develop this skill. Some of the best are standing on our street corners marketing for our spare change.” - Alan Graham (President, MLF)
6. Modest Living Income INCOME Gross Monthly Income $1,032.18 Social Security $64.00 Medicare $14.97 Withholding $103.22 TOTAL $849.99 MODEST LIVING EXPENSES Housing & Utilities $325 Food, Clothing, Medical $340 Miscellaneous $185 TOTAL $850 30% of the HUD income limits for a single individual living in Austin, Texas is $14,950. I believe we can house with dignity single individuals who net on a monthly basis about $850 per month. We call this the Modest Living Income (MLI). - Alan Graham (President, MLF) Universal Living Wage Austin, Texas www.universallivingwage.org Austin-Round Rock - $12.92/hour Living wage hours for MLI = ~80/month or ~18.50 hours/week
7. The “Hand Up” Model! The essence of what we are doing is predicated on transforming the lives of individuals who for whatever reason find themselves in a state of homelessness and by virtue of their personal transformation our broader community is transformed as well. - Alan Graham (President, MLF) The “Hand Up” Model Cost of Homelessness – State of Maine – Greater Portland, September 2007 Cost of housing with HOW is under $4,800/year. Includes rent & utilities.
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12. Mobile Loaves & Fishes – Visionary founder of concept and the 501c3 under which it will operate. MLF has ~12,000 volunteers from all walks of life who can provide time, talent and treasure to this concept. Net Impact Austin - Net Impact Austin is an action-based organization of professionals and entrepreneurs working directly with Austin business and non-profits to further social and environmental sustainability. Have been strategic in vetting out the business plan concept. SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) – Counselors to America’s small businesses. SCORE here in Austin has developed a seminar covering such topics as customer service, basic finance, IRS, sales tax, marketing etc. Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas - The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas is a community of entrepreneurs. We amplify the philanthropic efforts of our member companies, their entrepreneurs, boards and employees who invest time, talent and equity to make Central Texas an even better place to live, work and play. Our programs help build successful corporate cultures and allow start-up companies to participate philanthropically, even though charitable funds may be scarce. Partners
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16. The Neatoscan service utilizes a barcode scanner, PDA (Portable Data Assistant) and earpiece to allow you to quickly and easily determine the value of books and other merchandise while disconnected from the internet. Getting started is easy! Amazon Dot Com Book Sales
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18. Seasonal Stand Seasonal and flexible work opportunities that require unskilled labor. Opportunities to employ the formerly homeless and make a Modest Living Income.