Testing the Framework: Government and Community Feedback
Building the capacity to address challenges to economic mobility in neighborhoods.
This project originated with a focus on identifying an approach for local government to address economic mobility through infrastructure investment. During our in-person visits, we heard from residents a strong desire to partner with their local government leaders to help create the change needed to improve their community. We also saw firsthand that residents across the country, in some cases supported by government funding, are building the capacity to address challenges to economic mobility in their own neighborhoods.
Much of this work is unfolding within third places – spaces where communities naturally gather and connect. In some areas, residents, local governments, and community organizations are making notable progress through strong collaboration. We have highlighted only a few of the many examples of powerful work gaining momentum in each community. Across all locations, residents expressed a clear desire for collaborative (vs siloed) projects, transparent and honest information about the issues affecting their lives, and a voice in decision-making. They also want opportunities to build leadership skills and agency to advocate for change. At the heart of every conversation was a shared aspiration: to strengthen relationships and build mutual trust.
The following community profiles highlight six places we visited to learn, listen, and share. Our framework served as a starting point for dialogue, and each gathering was co-planned with Local Advisors and community teams. Participants began by exchanging through personal stories, reflecting on the framework, and discussing their community’s strengths, challenges, and possible next steps for community conversations. While each gathering revealed unique themes, one constant message emerged across all locations: a hopeful energy and a deep desire to connect, collaborate, and take action together to build connected communities.
Notes for community profile data:
Population: Census (2020).
Social Capital Index: Joint Economic Committee (2018). 100th percentile is best, 0 is worst.
Income inequality rate: Data USA (2023). A wage Gini captures how wages are distributed across a population. A higher value indicates higher inequality, with 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing perfect inequality.
