“Disrupt systems that keep people in poverty.”
This is the first goal of our newly minted 2025-2029 strategic plan – aligning almost perfectly with the new administration’s tenure. Voters sent a clear message by electing a disrupter to the White House, against the status quo. The system as it currently exists isn’t working for most people – and they too want to disrupt it.
I have a Gen Z child who feels so discouraged and disheartened by the cost of housing, the difficulty finding a good job, the ability to live in a community where he was raised, and US backed wars. Like him, voters across the nation have felt let down by our institutions. Our policymakers, our institutions, and organizations like Neighborhood House must listen and act.
For the past 60 years, Neighborhood House has been part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, born out of the Civil Rights Movement, working together to abolish poverty by providing direct services like Head Start and advocating for social change. The work we do is critical to creating and sustaining a vibrant and healthy community, but it is not enough to end poverty. And if we’re being honest, serves as just a band aid to society’s problems.
Americans wanted to disrupt the status quo. The incoming administration appealed to working class and diverse voters. To truly disrupt systems that keep people in poverty, we need to get active and ensure this administration listens to the needs and wants of their expanded constituents, especially the communities Neighborhood House serves.
As we embark on our new strategic plan, you can count on Neighborhood House to do more advocacy, more mobilizing, and more communication with our constituents on the policy impacts and opportunities emerging from the changing landscape. If you’re not already subscribed to our e-newsletter, click here. To join our fall campaign and support our mission, click here. To volunteer, click here.
For more inspiration, check out Vu Le’s recent article and call to action.