A strength-based approach to socioeconomic mobility
How do you view people experiencing financial hardship?
People with limited means are often blamed for their own financial situation without acknowledging the systems and policies that make it difficult for them to get ahead despite their hard work. The result is a deficit-based view, and approach, that focuses on what people lack and feeds false narratives.
Our strength-based approach of community, capital and choice recognizes and honors people’s initiatives, abilities and self-determination.
Our strength-based approach
Community
How we do it:
We learn from financially under-resourced communities and co-create opportunities for people to build and strengthen their social networks.
Why we do it:
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People benefit from the power of community and naturally and routinely exchange social capital and help one another. |
Capital
How we do it:
We invest in individuals and families through unrestricted cash.
Why we do it:
People must have access to sufficient capital to invest in their own lives.
Choice
How we do it:
We trust that people are capable of making decisions for themselves and their families.
Why we do it:
People are experts in their own lives and must have full choice and control over their time and resources.
![KMD_084_4873[1]](https://www.uptogether.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/KMD_084_48731.jpeg "KMD_084_4873[1]")
Using a strength-based approach to change systems
Our bold goal is to change policies, systems, and underlying beliefs so that all people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths and are able to build power, reinforce their autonomy, and drive their own economic and social mobility.
The strength-based approach of community, capital and choice is front and center of our three-pronged systems change strategy. To change systems that are preventing hardworking people from getting ahead, we work with individuals, families, funders, governments and community partners to:
- Invest unrestricted cash in families and individuals with limited incomes (Capital and choice)
- Rally for state and local policies and practices that support and accelerate socioeconomic mobility (Community)
- Amplify stories that tell the true lived experiences of people with financial hardship and financially under-resourced communities (Community)
Interested in partnering with us? Take a look at our partnership opportunities.
Together, with our members and partners, we are championing a movement to boost and sustain long-term economic and social mobility for the millions of Americans who live at or below the poverty line.
