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8 simple steps you can take to strengthen families
Our community is at stake…
- Nearly one million metropolitan Chicagoans live in poverty and 2.2 million are in or near poverty.
- Only 34 percent of lower-income workers have flexible hours.
- Fewer than 7 percent of Chicago Public School graduates will earn a college degree by their 25th birthday.
Help us make the difference!
You can build a stronger, safer and healthier community by helping working-poor families move toward self-sufficiency. Whether you're at home, work or in the neighborhood, here are tips you can use to make positive change:
- Check your employer's policies on flexible hours, family leave and pre-tax set asides for medical expenses. Make sure you are aware of and can access all of your benefits. Become an advocate for your family and for all families to have family-strengthening benefits.
- Support financial institutions that foster economic development in low-income communities. Invest your dollars in businesses that provide access to business and home loans in underserved communities - they help lay foundations for financially stable and healthy neighborhoods.
- Identify and shop at businesses that pay family-supporting wages. Research companies online and investigate their policies. Help grow the number of self-sustaining families that form strong, viable communities.
- Find out who your state legislators are and call or e-mail them to support measures that help families. Let your state legislators know that quality child care for children should be accessible for all families, regardless of income. Sign up for advocacy updates on issues that you believe make families strong.
- Learn about educational programs and services in your community. Explore what's available through local community centers, agencies and school systems and consider volunteering, or make suggestions and support programs and services that benefit working-poor families.
- Mentor a youth in your community. Find and join a mentoring organization so you can inspire youth to see their possibilities and help them realize their potential
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