by Dale Garrison
A new emphasis on “financial literacy” and the opening of a Wyandotte County location at the old Kansan building at 8th and Ann are among several changes in Metro Lutheran Ministry’s Learning to Earning program.
“Since its inception, MLM has been a leader in rent and utility assistance in Kansas City,” said Jim Glynn, executive director. “We’ve always been one of the largest players in that arena. But, in writing a check to the landlord or to the utility company, we’re very aware it’s a short-term stopgap. However, we have not had the case management expertise and ability to go beyond that. Currently, we are repositioning our resources to do more of that.”
The focus on financial education is designed to address some of the most widespread issues facing MLM clients, said Learning to Earning manager Jacob Bosch.
“A lot of it relates to clients’ need to access credit,” he said. “The poorest of the poor struggle not only to make money, but to access the money they make. It’s difficult, even impossible, for them to get credit or bank accounts. And, every step they make takes a bite out of their money. Handling your own money if you’re poor is a job in itself.”
Bosch said some studies estimate that fees and other hurdles rarely seen by those not in poverty can amount to $40,000 over a lifetime, a huge amount given the low income. Just as troubling is the time they may lose that could be used working or seeking employment.
“Payday loan companies are a fairly visible issue, but there’s a lot more than that,” Bosch said. “Even just getting a check cashed can take half a day. Those are massive burdens that many of us don’t see. It’s literally more expensive to be poor.”
The solution starts by explaining how some practices are disastrous and then showing a better way. The Wyandotte County addition is also significant, adding to the current site at 3031 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. The former Kansas City Kansan newspaper building is being remodeled to serve as a “Learning to Earning-Wyandotte” office.
The changes are part of a notable shift in focus for MLM that also includes longer-term priorities for emergency assistance and the Family Empowerment Initiative.
“We’re trying to focus on things that will target causes as much as possible,” Glynn said. “We’re also recruiting partners who work in these areas and can bring their expertise. It’s very exciting.”