Through supportive programs, access to jobs, transportation and education, Black Men Coalition of Dane County is working to offer low income people a hand up rather than a handout.
Corey Marionneaux, its founder, spoke to the Waunakee Rotary Club about the foundation’s latest project – to bring sustainable low-income housing with supportive programming to Dane County.
He said he formed the coalition to demonstrate the positive attributes of Black men rather than just those who are incarcerated or making poor choices. The coalition offers the only free youth baseball league open to both boys and girls who play every Saturday at Elver Park during the season.
Black Men Coalition has a diverse team and a large board of directors.
Dane County has a huge vulnerable population, with many who have no knowledge of financial literacy, Corey said. The coalition partners with Summit Credit Union and teaches financial literacy at the Dane County Jail, with information on how to budget their money. Many have challenges such as child support and high rent.
Corey pointed out the unemployment disparity in Dane County, noting that the unemployment rate was 7.19 for Black individuals compared with 2.2 for white individuals. Fifty percent of Black individuals who apply for a job are less likely to get a call back.
Black Men Coalition partners with several Dane County employers on an employment program that requires employees receive adequate compensation of about $20 per hour. More than 75% of those become direct hires, Corey said.
It also offers transportation services and works with individuals to obtain a driver’s license and a vehicle.
But housing remains a barrier, Corey said, adding that 36% of homeless individuals in Dane County are employed, mainly in low-wage jobs.
Black Men Coalition has a plan to build low income housing at 101 Communications Drive in Sun Prairie between Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 151 on a 4.281-acre property. It would include two buildings, one with shared housing with four individuals to an apartment, and another with efficiency units.
Corey said the shared housing building would include doormen who monitor the comings and goings. Visitors would not be allowed to the individual apartments; people could come to a community room for visits.
Residents would receive pre-employment support, employment services and a wrap-around support system, with a case manager. The complex would also include a classroom for speakers and training. All residents would be required to be employed so they could afford the rent.
The housing would be geared toward young adults, along with those lacking permanent housing, and the services include a vertical integration plan, preparing for residents for homeownership. It would be available to each individual for up to two years.
“These are the things we want to do with housing, and I think it will change and shift what low-income housing will become,” Corey said. He noted that existing low-income housing includes ground floor apartments without any monitoring of who comes and goes.
Eventually, a second phase of the housing plan will be implemented, with townhouses individuals can rent to purchase. Corey said Black Men Coalition has a site in DeForest to purchase.
Black Men Coalition will bring a production of “Kernel of Truth” to the Overture Center that will portray a group of men confined to the Dane County Jail who embark on a transformation journey through monologues.
Black Men Coalition will resubmit the housing proposal to the City of Sun Prairie after the
April election, Corey said.
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Guests: Corey Marionneaux, Shelley Moffatt and Diane Ballweg, guests of the club.
Visiting Rotarians: Corey Marionneaux.
Birthdays: Feb. 24, Danny Paul.
Anniversaries: None.
Greeters: Feb. 22, Nancy Kuehn Thomas and Patrick Durden; Feb. 29 Jean Elvekrog; Roberta Baumann.
To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
