Emily Fuersteⁱ

THIS IS MINE! is a financial literacy program for adults with IQs between 65 and 80 who have very concrete learning styles. Adults with cognitive impairments are able to live independently and make important contributions to our economy. However, many struggle with their financial lives due to their concrete learning abilities. Individuals with cognitive disabilities often focus on the here and now, what is happening today, and have difficulty with abstract, future concepts. This is especially important when it comes to financial planning. See the Summer '06 EQUITY Tip of the Month to learn more about different learning styles.

THIS IS MINE! was developed by No Place Like Home Communities (NPLHC), a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis focused on asset building for adults with cognitive disabilities. NPLHC first developed an innovative financial model utilizing both public and private resources to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing with supportive services for people with disabilities. Rather than accepting that people with cognitive disabilities are unable to manage their own finances, NPLHC started developing THIS IS MINE! with the belief that if the people with intellectual disabilities are the experts. Who knows best which concepts are hard to understand and how to best convey the information than people with disabilities themselves?

The adults living at NPLHC are successfully living independently, though they all acknowledge difficulty with abstract financial concepts. They frequently and unknowingly spend more than they make, they are confused about basic financial concepts, and they are especially vulnerable to fraudulent schemes. Also, adults with cognitive impairments have been denied many opportunities for self-determination, and as a result, have low self-esteem.

The people at NPLHC felt that learning more about money was essential to being independent, but they did not to feel ashamed for the mistakes they had made or embarrassed about concepts they did not understand. The curriculum was developed from the concept that was well understood: ownership. The adults living at NPLHC felt great about owning their own homes, and extended that concept beyond its financial meaning to include taking responsibility for other aspects of life, from choosing one's friends to deciding where to work.

Because this financial literacy curriculum was developed in partnership with adults with cognitive disabilities, THIS IS MINE! focuses both on "economic and emotional equity." While economic equity is well understood, "emotional equity" was defined as the value that comes from living a meaningful, self-directed life to the greatest extent possible.

Thus, the curriculum begins with concepts of comfort, joy, and respect for self and others. As each concept of "emotional equity" is mastered, it is paired with a concept of "economic equity" such as basic budgeting, whom to trust with financial matters, media literacy, positive assertiveness, and setting long-term financial and personal goals. Because NPLHC was also an affordable homeownership and rental housing program, THIS IS MINE! also addresses issues pertinent to first-time home buying and tenant rights.

Start up funding for THIS IS MINE! was provided by the regional foundations in the upper Midwest: Henry Family Foundation, the Grotto Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, and Wells Fargo Housing Foundation.

NPLHC is ceasing operations in a few months, and the developers of THIS IS MINE! are looking for a new home for the curriculum. The organization has transitioned its affordable homeownership and rental housing with services program to another Twin Cities non-profit organization called Project for Pride in Living. Other aspects of its asset development agenda have either concluded or are being carried out by volunteers. Interested persons may contact Megan O'Neil megan@wid.org for more information.

i Emily brings to her role 30 years of experience in serving people who want to be self-sufficient and organizations who want to empower them. Her resume stretches from directing a community health clinic in St. Paul, to founding a community health foundation as part of a large health system in Michigan, to serving as an executive of Courage Center and Courage Foundation, to helping found No Place Like Home Communities. In 1998, she founded Exponent Group, a consulting practice focused on improving nonprofit management in asset development organizations. In addition, she works with donors in focusing their philanthropy. She serves on the boards of organizations serving people with disabilities, low income women and children. She grew up on the Mississippi River and spends much of her free time on or near water.