Reports and Surveys

Find here from the Poverty Reduction Initiative reports and surveys that support our work to reduce poverty by 25% by 2010 in our five county region.

In November, 2006, approximately 14,000 surveys were distributed to low income individuals and families in our five-county region: Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau. The surveys were sent, with provisions for anonymity, to mailing lists provided by several area human services agencies, and were also distributed at homeless shelters, community meal sites, and local charities.

Perhaps our most important overall finding from the more than 1,600 returned surveys is this: There is no "typical" person or family in poverty. A wide variety of situations, circumstances and challenges were reflected in people's survey responses.

We invite you to review the following survey results, summaries and reports. And we very much welcome the opportunity to share these survey findings and our ongoing community outreach work with all those individuals, groups and organizations interested in helping to reduce poverty by 25% by 2010 in Northwest Michigan.

Included here from the Poverty Insight Project are our:

(1) Survey Data Results - All questions asked (reported in Zoomerang)

(2) Survey One Page Summaries by Topic: general findings, survey methods, employment & wages, health, education & training, housing, children, social attitudes, transportation & mobility, and older residents.

(3) Survey Background Notes - PowerPoint presentation

(4) Survey Original Cover Letters and Questionnaire

(5) Survey Results by County: Antirm, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska or Leelanau

Survey Data Results - All Questions (Zoomerang)

We invite all area employers to complete our PRI 2008 Employer Workplace Success Survey. As a valued Northwest Michigan employer your answers to our online survey will help individuals to obtain and retain good jobs in our region.

The Poverty Reduction Initiative encourages continuing education and ongoing training as keys to help people move out of poverty and fostering skills, habits and attributes for workplace success. The PRI Employer Workplace Success Survey includes details about a number of "on the job" educational programs and training services that employers may find valuable to bring to their place of business or organization.

The PRI 2008 Employer Survey is sponsored in cooperation with: Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Michigan Works!, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, Northwest Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, and Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.

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In 2005, PRI conducted an online survey of area businesses through the assistance of Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. Local employers were asked questions about the skills and attributes they desire in successful employees, as well as reasons for hiring and firing. Below is the full report, complete with all questions and all responses.

The executive summary highlights findings from the Employer Survey Full report (above). This easy-to-read document emphasizes the skills and attributes that our own employers desire in new employees.

Poverty Reduction Initiative to Prosperity Recovery Impact -
A Michigan State University Community Partnership Bulletin

This short report outlines the "asset-based community development / ABCD" founding perspectives and early accomplishments of the Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative. This Michigan State University prepared community partnership bulletin (October 2008) may be of special interest to community developers, human service professionals, business and labor leaders, faith community representatives, MSU Extension educators, and many other community members in your own local support of friends, neighbors, and families who are striving to achieve lasting financial security.

Please click here to review this MSU report.