Elliott to talk about raising people out of poverty

Capital Idea and Austin Interfaith are extending invitations to presentations in Austin today by researcher Mark Elliott about the positive economic impact of helping low-income adults earn credentials that give them access to strong sectors of the economy, particularly health care, trades and technology. Elliott and his team have done a study of Project QUEST in San Antonio to determine the project’s impact on earnings, following graduates over a nine-year period. According to Elliott, the study found that “investing in the skills of low-income workers not only can make a difference, it can move families out of poverty into the middle class.” Steve Jackobs of Capital Idea notes that Elliott has received $1 million from the nonprofit Arnold Ventures so that he and his colleagues can do a study of the impact of training provided by Capital Idea, which is modeled after Project QUEST. The city of Austin has provided funding for Capital Idea. Elliott will be making a presentation at noon in Room E1.010 at the Texas State Capitol, and at 3:30 p.m. in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall. Everyone is invited.