Section 4. Expanding Opportunities for People Experiencing Poverty

A Story of Change

Raymond had been in and out of the justice system since age 13. Jessie often faced a painful choice at the end of each month—pay the rent in full or buy milk for her kids. Maureen had spent years living on the street while struggling with alcohol use. Felix had crossed the border from Guatemala at 15 and worked low-wage jobs ever since.
When they stood together in their graduation robes, they shared three things: they had all experienced poverty, they all had tears in their eyes, and they all believed their lives were changing for the better.
They were completing a comprehensive program designed to help participants overcome barriers to economic stability. They learned how to apply for jobs, interview confidently, manage workplace relationships, and budget their money. Jessie and Maureen earned their GEDs (Raymond had earned his earlier), and Felix had become fluent in English. Jessie was paying rent consistently and feeding her children well; three of the four were newly registered voters, and Felix was studying for citizenship.
Just as important, they built a community. They supported one another—sharing meals, childcare, and encouragement. Raymond found a job through Maureen’s uncle’s plumbing business. Jessie’s daughter, a talented artist, enrolled in a charter school another participant had recommended. Felix’s volunteer mentor was helping him explore college options.
For some people, the path out of poverty starts with access to a decent job. For others, it requires education, training, and emotional support to rebuild confidence and a sense of agency. And for everyone, relationships and community matter. A strong network of support opens doors that few can open alone.

Understanding Poverty Today

This section explores how communities can expand opportunities for people to move out of poverty and the challenges that often come with it—unstable housing, unsafe environments, chronic stress, preventable illness, family strain, and social isolation.
In the U.S., the word poor has largely been replaced by terms like low-income, under-resourced, or economically marginalized. For clarity, we’ll use people experiencing poverty—those who lack the resources needed to meet basic needs and fully participate in society.
Poverty looks different around the world, but the core experience is similar: being excluded from the standard of living enjoyed by most of one’s community. Whether in rural Tanzania, Mumbai, or a struggling neighborhood in Chicago, people feel that same gap between themselves and the rest of society.
 

Who Experiences Poverty and Why?

People experience poverty for many interconnected reasons. Some face temporary setbacks—job loss, illness, divorce, or displacement—while others encounter long-term systemic barriers that limit access to education, jobs, and healthcare. Often, these causes overlap and reinforce each other.

Limited access to education and skills

Many adults lack the basic literacy, numeracy, or digital skills needed for today’s jobs. Others face language barriers that prevent them from accessing training or advancement. Without these skills, people are often limited to low-wage, insecure work.

Low-wage or unstable employment

Millions of “working poor” individuals hold one or more jobs but still can’t earn enough to cover basic needs. Many lack health insurance or paid leave, leaving them vulnerable to eviction, hunger, or medical debt when emergencies arise.

Health challenges and disability

People with physical, developmental, or mental health conditions often face barriers to stable employment, especially when support systems are weak. For some, assistive technologies and accommodations open doors; for others, the lack of access to care or public assistance deepens hardship.

Substance use and recovery

Addiction often both results from and contributes to poverty. While some turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with stress, trauma, or hopelessness, substance use can quickly lead to job loss, strained relationships, and homelessness. Recovery requires compassionate, nonjudgmental support and long-term care.

Mental health and trauma

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make it difficult to maintain work, relationships, or stability. Veterans, survivors of violence, and those who have experienced chronic adversity may need trauma-informed care to heal and move forward.

Economic shocks and instability

Even middle-income families can fall into poverty after a major setback—such as medical debt, job loss, divorce, or disaster. Without savings or social safety nets, a single crisis can trigger a downward financial spiral.

Generational poverty

When families experience poverty over generations, they may not have access to the networks, education, or role models that support upward mobility. This “cycle of poverty” can be broken—but it requires a shift in opportunities, mindset, and support at both individual and community levels.

Poverty Among Children and Families

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty. In the U.S., roughly one in six children lives below the federal poverty line, with rates higher among Black, Hispanic, and Native families. Growing up in poverty often means attending under-resourced schools, facing food insecurity, and living in unsafe or unstable housing.
The consequences ripple outward: children in poverty are more likely to experience poor health, fall behind academically, and struggle to envision a path to higher education or stable employment. Family supports—such as affordable childcare, strong schools, and community mentors—play a critical role in breaking this cycle.

Breaking the Cycle: What Works

Helping people move out of poverty requires both individual supports and systemic change. Effective strategies include:

• Education and training: Expanding access to quality K–12 education, GED programs, vocational training, and college opportunities.
• Living-wage jobs: Creating pathways to employment that offer fair pay, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.
• Affordable housing and childcare: Reducing the financial strain that keeps families from saving or pursuing education.
• Healthcare access: Ensuring affordable physical and mental health services, including substance use treatment.
• Social connection: Building networks of trust and mutual aid that help people find jobs, share resources, and navigate crises.
• Empowerment and leadership: Supporting people with lived experience of poverty to lead change efforts and influence policy.
   

The Bigger Picture

Extending opportunity isn’t about charity—it’s about equity and inclusion. Real progress happens when communities address the structural barriers that keep people from reaching their potential: low wages, systemic racism, limited access to healthcare and education, and a lack of affordable housing.
By investing in people’s potential and creating pathways for education, employment, and community connection, we can move from managing poverty to ending it. As Raymond, Jessie, Maureen, and Felix learned, when opportunity meets support, transformation follows.