Investing in Families to Escape Poverty

Millions of Americans are in poverty - and endure negative stereotypes about the working poor. People assume they must be in poverty because they are not good with money, when often the opposite is true. So what keeps them from escaping poverty? Family Independence Initiative (or FII) is a nonprofit organization that has studied that, and found that many people do escape poverty - but within 5 years, they fall back into it. They’ve found that what ultimately makes people get out of poverty for good is two things. The power of community--having social capital and a network of people able to support you. The second is enough money to overcome the incidental barriers that can snowball into larger negative consequences. From the overdue bill that accrues late fees and means you can’t make rent, to a car repair that keeps you from working or your kids from getting to school, obstacles that never block better-off people can keep generations of people behind. FII combines their community-focused approach with cash payments that help families overcome those things and break the cycle of poverty. By trusting the families to spend money in the way that is most effective for them, they empower them to be more efficient and pull themselves out of poverty. At a time when inequality and poverty in America is in sharp focus, and solutions like universal basic income (UBI) are being discussed, should this way out of poverty be part of the conversation?

This episode of Catalysts, a Freethink original series presented by Stand Together Foundation, features an interview with FII CEO Jesús Gerena. He discusses his experience growing up in a family that was part of the working poor. This experience breaking the cycle of poverty lead him to pursue social entrepreneurship in the nonprofit sector to help others. Catalysts is a series that profiles social entrepreneurs exploring bold solutions to society’s biggest problems. Remember to subscribe and click the notifications bell to be informed of new episodes.

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[freethink]

What do you think of this approach to lifting families out of poverty?

[sudhanshugupta]

Hi, I wasn't able to watch freethink for a while but as soon as I was able to I found the quality of content which was already good get better. Love the new logo and how you make institutions like these come in spot light love the channel and the awesome informative videos. I just have one suggestion sometimes animation is not required and it seems that it isn't going in a flow but love your videos. Thank you

[JimBimBum]

I expected this to be more like one of those Bull crap talk show kind of videos where they try to look nice to get their public image to look better. But it's far more and far better than I expected and I hope to see many more good things from this channel and your associates. Thank you for your time.

[AlphaMachina]

I wish I could help my family climb out of poverty. Because soon Louisiana will likely lose the Medicaid expansion and food stamps, and then they'll be screwed. I've done a bit better for myself, and I work really hard, but my parents are in their 60's and disabled, my dad is quadriplegic and my mom has had heart failure, and they just can't get enough help. I do as much as I can, but it's just not enough for them, and that pains me.

[E.j.Robinson]

How do you break form poverty when you know you need opportunity to try and you are just locked out of that chance by the world around you with the misconceptions they make of us. I was born poor due to a bad mother (the rare ones who are lazy and don't care and want to use others for a free ride) as a result I never got a good education and now live in a country where going back as an adult is next to impossible and if you can find it it cost way more than I'd ever have. to add to it after a year of homelessness I got a house and was thrilled only to now have that house taken form my by a bad real estate agent. I'm homeless again and feeling like I'm in quicksand. the more I try the faster I sink. I was born poor but by the gods HOW TO I NOT DIE POOR? I feel like everything is working against me. I'd happily strive, I'd happily work for a house, a better life, education ect but I've found its the lack of chances to try that's holding me back. Its starting to corrode my hope the hope I once had that I can make it out. What can I do?

[Doomer-hgfi]

Its fucked up because im homeless after injuries and getting fired it's been a year its hard when your on your own and nobody helps

[E.j.Robinson]

If ONLY my country had this mindset. Often I find a solution to help me out of poverty and there is some red tape or agency like Anglicare or Housing TAS standing in the doorway out. Shooting down every chance and every effort I come up with to escape or do better. For me a HUGE part of my poverty is how our "help" agencies actually keep us down not help us up.

[JamesVestal-dzqm]

My mom never drove me to the school when teachers wanted me to show up early or stay late to finish assignments. I got lower grades.

[carlspringer]

This seems interesting-- the emphasis on community building and social capital instead of the same tired attempts to throw money at the issue is certainly refreshing. I have to ask, though, where is the money coming from? It calls itself a non-profit organization, so I assume it comes from donations, but I find it hard to believe that it could sustain itself and make good on their promises without some sort of incentive for people to do so outside of simple altruism. That is to say, without providing a service or product to their donors which would muddy the original intention.


Another thing I'd like to know is whether or not these communities continue to exist in any meaningful way after the organization is no longer directly involved. Are these communities at least partially self-organized, or are they organized entirely by the FII? Imposed communal structures are simply another form of dependency. It is only when these structures are voluntary and controlled by the lowest levels that genuine economic independence (relatively speaking) can be achieved.


Hopefully this will be something for which I can declare wholehearted support, but until I know more of it I have my reservations.

[vladimirjanicky]

I love this idea very long time. Make investition to poor peoples it's the best way, howe reach perfect world . if will invest rich people to poor people, we will reach the best society.