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.
