San Francisco, Calif. – Each year, at least $65 billion in government resources to help struggling families go unclaimed - $3 billion in California alone and $300 million just in San Francisco.

Single Stop USA, a national not-for-profit organization, aims to reduce poverty by helping individuals and families access billions of dollars in public benefits and resources. By building a bridge between these untapped resources and those in need, Single Stop helps families move from dependency to self-sufficiency. Using a groundbreaking technology platform, Single Stop counselors identify eligible benefits for clients, then guide them through the applications and connect them to onsite financial counseling, legal assistance and free tax preparation services. 

Community colleges are one of the most effective vehicles for lifting people out of poverty.   Unfortunately, financial and life barriers prevent most students from graduating. "Single Stop can change that," says CEO Elisabeth Mason. "Integrating the Single Stop model into community colleges harnesses two of the most effective antipoverty tools: a post-high school education and coordinated access to America's vastly underutilized safety net." 

Through a partnership with the Mayor, City College of San Francisco and Tipping Point Community, Single Stop USA is launching the first phase of a system-wide expansion and is opening sites in three City College campuses by the end of 2009. Mayor Newsom voiced his full support for the initiative.  “College education is the pathway out of poverty" he said. "Single Stop’s groundbreaking partnership with City College will transform the lives of thousands of students by enabling them to complete their college education.”

When:              October 7, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT

Where:                         City College of San Francisco, Southeast Campus
1800 Oakdale Avenue (near Phelps), San Francisco, CA 94124
Adequate street parking available

Who:                San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
Chancellor Don Griffin, City College of San Francisco
Daniel Lurie, CEO, Tipping Point Community
A SingleStop Client, TBA
Elisabeth Mason, CEO, SingleStop USA

Single Stop Bay Area sites: City College of San Francisco Ocean Campus, Communities of Opportunity in partnership with City College of San Francisco Southeast Campus, Healthy Oakland, Homeless Prenatal Program, and Wu Yee Children’s Services.   Single Stop Bay Area service providers: Mission SF Community Financial Center, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Financial Coaching Volunteers from Charles Schwab.  Single Stop Bay Area is sponsored by Speaker Pelosi, Tipping Point Community, Charles Schwab Foundation, Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, AIG, The Mimi and Peter Haas Fund, Mayor Gavin Newsom, the City of San Francisco and Atlantic Philanthropies.

For more information, visit www.singlestopusa.org.