Use this checklist to assess how your community, organization, or partnership is helping individuals and families build pathways out of poverty.
Understand the context
___ Learn about poverty in your community—who is most affected, and why.
___ Examine local data on income, education, housing, health, and employment.
___ Listen to people with lived experience to understand barriers and assets from their perspective.
___ Recognize how racism, discrimination, and policy decisions contribute to persistent poverty.
Build comprehensive supports
___ Offer education and skills training programs that align with real employment opportunities.
___ Partner with local employers to create paid apprenticeships and living-wage jobs.
___ Connect participants to affordable housing, childcare, transportation, and healthcare.
___ Include mental health and recovery supports as core program elements.
___ Provide access to financial literacy training and credit-building opportunities.
Strengthen community and relationships
___ Foster peer networks that provide encouragement, childcare exchange, and resource sharing.
___ Build partnerships among nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and schools.
___ Create mentorship programs linking participants with professionals or community leaders.
___ Celebrate milestones (graduations, new jobs, certifications) to reinforce progress and pride.
Empower and involve participants
___ Engage people with lived experience of poverty as leaders, advisors, and co-designers.
___ Use trauma-informed approaches that emphasize dignity, trust, and choice.
___ Encourage civic engagement—such as voting, advocacy, and community leadership.
___ Focus on strengths and assets, not deficits or “fixing” individuals.
___ Measure success not only by income but also by increased stability, confidence, and connection.