American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation 2019 second grant cycle opens

Community organizations are invited to apply for the second cycle of grants in 2019 from American Family Insurance and the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation through July 31, 2019. Interested organizations can find details on the application process and grant priority areas by visiting the Making a Difference section on the company’s website or the Community Investment section of this Newsroom.

One organization’s story: St. Joseph the Worker fights poverty cycle through quality employment

St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) has been helping people in the Phoenix, Arizona area get on their feet for more than 30 years. Their mission is to assist homeless, low-income and other disadvantaged individuals in becoming self-sufficient through quality employment. In the past year SJW has assisted more than 3,000 job seekers find work.

SJW focuses on overcoming barriers people face while searching for employment. For example, they provide services such as career coaching, which includes resume development and mock interviews. SJW helps meet the physical demands of the job search as well, such as access to the internet and transportation to and from interviews.

“American Family is directly helping to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by supporting SJW’s impactful mission of connecting vulnerable men, women and families to quality employment,” said Jay Chapman, American Family Insurance agency owner in Scottsdale, Arizona and SJW board member.

Taking services on the road

In past years, SJW has used funding from the Dreams Foundation to help create their Mobile Success Unit, a vehicle that has been converted into a mobile office. The Mobile Success Unit has allowed SJW to serve hundreds of new job-seekers who may not have the resources to come to them.

“We literally drive around and ask homeless people if they need help finding a job,” said Chapman. “With our Mobile Success Unit, we can spread more awareness of our services and reach more people.”

Dreams Foundation’s impact

SJW is a privately funded organization that relies on grants such as those from the Dreams Foundation.

Brent Downs, executive director of SJW, is grateful for the continued support of American Family Insurance and the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation.

“The generous support of American Family Insurance allows us to continue moving even more willing individuals and families from homelessness and poverty to self-sufficiency,” says Downs, “The funding allows St. Joseph the Worker to continue our 30-year mission of connecting our clients with quality employment and providing the crucial soft skills and resources they need to start work.”

American Family Insurance and the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation continue to have a significant impact in communities across the nation. Since 2016, $9.5 million has been committed to more than 1,000 grants across its operating territories.

The list of 2019 first-cycle grant recipients was announced on July 8. 

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About American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation
The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, Inc. builds on our long-standing commitment and support of our communities. As our mission has evolved from corporate giving to community investing, we’ve turned our focus to creating strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations that have helped us strengthen both families and communities. For more information, see the Making a Difference page of amfam.com or the Community Investment page of the Newsroom.

About American Family Insurance
Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance group is the nation's 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group and ranks No. 306 on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, primarily through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General and Homesite) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the internet or by phone. Affiliate Main Street America sells insurance products through independent agents. Web www.amfam.com; Facebook www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter www.twitter.com/amfam.