The UpTogether Approach: Community. Capital. Choice.
The UpTogether Approach recognizes and honors people’s strengths, abilities and self-determination. Our strength-based view is the foundation of how we invest in families and the heart of our strategy to change systems.Â
How do you view people experiencing financial hardship?
People with limited means are often blamed for their own financial situation without acknowledging the systems and policies that make it difficult for them to get ahead despite their hard work. The result is a deficit-based view, and approach that focuses on what people lack.Â
Instead of feeding false narratives, we work toward our vision where everyone can be seen and invested in for their strengths.Â
The UpTogether Approach
Here are the three guiding principles of the UpTogether Approach and how they translate into action.
How can the UpTogether Approach change systems?
Our bold goal is to change policies, systems, and underlying beliefs so that all people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths and are able to build power, reinforce their autonomy, and drive their own economic and social mobility.
The UpTogether Approach is front and center of our three-pronged systems change strategy. To change systems that are preventing hardworking people from getting ahead, we work with individuals, families, funders, governments and community partners to:
- Invest unrestricted cash in families and individuals with limited incomesÂ
- Amplify stories that tell the true lived experiences of people with financial hardshipÂ
- Mobilize around state and local policies and practices that support and accelerate socioeconomic mobilityÂ
