Looking Ahead
In 2023, our new strategic plan takes our organization into the future with a bold mission and vision focused on systems change.
“Systems change” means making significant and lasting improvements to how a system operates in order to achieve a desired outcome. We know that poverty is a policy choice and not a personal failure, and our systems are currently designed to perpetuate the status quo.
Our work is largely the same. We’re still investing in members and amplifying their stories. We are now adding an intentional focus and goals for rallying with members for policy and narrative change.
Here are a few things we have planned.
Piloting systems change initiatives
We are testing our systems change strategy in four cities in different regions of the country: Boston, Detroit, Oakland and San Antonio.
In Boston, we are conducting research to learn more about the attitudes and beliefs Bostonians have about people with financial hardship, and what stories and storytellers are most likely to help change the narrative and influence policymakers. We’ll use our findings to support organizing efforts with members and partners in the region in 2024.
In Detroit, we formed a coalition with members and like-minded organizations to advocate for a city-led guaranteed income pilot. UpTogether members in Detroit selected GI as the issue they want to rally around.
In Oakland, we are launching a narrative change campaign and creating a coalition of trusted community organizations to co-lead and amplify the effort. The goal is to elevate the true lived experiences of people with low incomes and the ways policies and systems prevent them from getting ahead.
In San Antonio, a small group of 25 members will lead our systems change efforts. They will identify and rally around local policies they want to change in order to advance economic mobility for their families and communities.
