Participants practice learned skills to set achievable goals and develop their own budget.  They practice responsibility and social skills by participating in discussions and completing assignments.  They practice accountability by following a contract promising to arrive on time, speak in turn and remain drug and alcohol free during all sessions.

Neighbor to Neighbor students learn to see money in its broadest sense, and the effect it has on so many aspects of their life and the decisions they make.  They begin to take steps to divorce themselves from the emotional hold money can have on the family.  In the 14 lessons, students learn to set and carry out goals, make a realistic household budget, learn to spot a “rip off”, learn to lead their family in determining priorities, get job interview, resume and employment tips, learn about empowering community resources, and use their faith in redeeming their financial behavior.

NTN allows and encourages the use of spirituality and prayer.  NTN encourages participants to use their faith as a personal strength to help them find the motivation and ability to become financially self-sufficient.  All participants are welcome to participate in prayer and faith sharing.  Every class ends with a Faith Sharing component that puts the day’s topic in practical perspective.  NTN graduates are enthusiastic about the deep spiritual impact of participating in Neighbor to Neighbor.

Neighbor to Neighbor is a class for working adults.  It emphasizes employment as the only reliable manner in which to gain financial security.  Employed, under-employed or employable adults may interview for the course and, if accepted, are allowed to miss no more than two classes.  Each class follows a set agenda, beginning with relaxation techniques, followed by the daily lesson and wrapping up with relevant faith sharing topics.  People of all faiths are welcome to apply.  Caseworkers work with persons who do not claim a particular faith to find what is important in their life to move them forward.

Neighbor to Neighbor is different than any program currently being used.  The class starts a step back from most financial classes.  Facilitators are aware that some families need more support and encouragement in order to get their financial affairs in order.  Years of under-employment, generational poverty, and dependence on “the system” are all factors that keep many families from being motivated to change.  However, social service “help agencies” agree that the assistance dollars are harder than ever to come by.  Working families need to be able to depend on their own income to pay the bills.

The successful NTN student attends three individual sessions with a caseworker in addition to the 14 classes.  Each student is given individualized support and resources, with referrals based on need.  These sessions are helpful to build the student’s self-esteem with encouragement and praise for any movement away from financial dependency.

NTN has proven effectiveness in helping people to improve their lives.  NTN’s development is research-based.  The Director of Research at the University of Southern Indiana’s Social Work Department has guided each step of development.  With this direction, Catholic Charities is able to translate participants’ daily self-assessments into reliable measurable outcomes.

“Empowering”
“ I no longer feel lost in my bills.”
“I better realize what my priorities are.  I make goals for everything now.  I started budgeting again.”
(I now have) “…an easy strategy for goal setting, some clear attainable action plans,” (and) “the ability to trust my faith.”
“Whatever you put into the class you were guaranteed to get a lot more than what you put in.”
       -NTN Graduates