Robin Hood’s Post

Ever heard of socioeconomic inequality? This is talking about "extreme wealth" and "extreme poverty." This fancy term means that where you come from and how much money your family has can affect your chances of getting a good education. And that's just not fair. Think about it: kids from families with less money often miss out on the stuff that helps them do well in school, like good teachers, books, and even basic stuff like food and a stable place to live. Plus, they might not get as much support from their families because they're dealing with a lot of other stressful stuff, like not having enough money to pay the bills. So, what can we do about it? Well, a few things. First off, we need to make sure that all schools, especially the ones in poorer areas, have enough money to give their students the best possible education. That means more funding for things like better teachers, updated textbooks, and safe and clean classrooms. But it's not just about money. We also need to make sure that kids from low-income families get the support they need outside of school. Things like access to counselling, healthy meals, and programmes that help families in tough situations can make a huge difference in a child's life. And let's not forget about parents. They play a big role in their kids' education, but sometimes they need a little extra help too. That's where things like parent education workshops and community partnerships come in. By giving parents the tools and support they need, we can help them be more involved in their kids' education. But it's not just about helping individual families. We also need to tackle the bigger issues that contribute to inequality, like housing discrimination and healthcare disparities. These are big problems that require big solutions, but if we work together, we can make a difference. At the end of the day, education equity isn't just about making things fair for everyone—it's about giving every child the chance to reach their full potential. By breaking down barriers and giving kids from all backgrounds the support they need to succeed, we can create a brighter future for everyone. So let's roll up our sleeves and get to work! Hey there, My name is Chidera Marizu I am passionate about SDGs 4, 5, and 8. There is more I have to tell you. Stay connected and follow. Oh, don't forget to put on the notification bell. #chideramarizu #chiderawrites #thewealthywriter #thewealthylady #qualityeducation #genderequality #youthempowerment #mondaymotivation #SocioeconomicInequality #EducationEquity #happynewweek

Robin Hood's $36.3 million in new grants—as part of its third quarter investments for 2024—is fueling over 100 organizations across the five boroughs, addressing critical areas like housing, healthcare, education, and economic development. Among the highlights, $13.7 million is dedicated to education initiatives, with a focus on early literacy, teacher training, and college counseling programs. Sarah Oltmans, Chief of Grant Strategy at Robin Hood, noted, “In this round of grants, we're just trying to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing New Yorkers. We want to make sure that New York City continues to be a place that works for all New Yorkers.” These grants arrive at a pivotal time. As Richard Buery, Robin Hood’s CEO, remarked, “New York is at an inflection point, where poverty is increasing by record numbers year-over-year, government spending is constrained, and those living in poverty are increasingly caught in the financial vice between rising prices and stagnant wages.” With rising costs of living affecting nearly 50% of working-age New Yorkers, Robin Hood is working to stabilize low-income households while providing pathways to upward economic mobility. As Robin Hood continues its efforts to support all New Yorkers, these investments are a lifeline to ensure NYC remains an engine of opportunity for all. #FightPoverty https://lnkd.in/gcdaS2pM

Over 250k children in England start school behind each year, with the poorest children twice as likely to do so. Children from low-income backgrounds often lack the resources of their peers (textbooks, tech, tutoring) meaning they fall further behind. The cycle continues: lower education attaintment = fewer job opps & lower earning potential, trapping families in poverty. Yet evidence shows going to a good-quality nursery can safeguard against falling behind Through my research I recently discovered the Early Learning Centre in Margate, funded by Save the Children International. They use a systems approach to tackle child poverty which includes: •Engaging families directly to co-design services that meet their needs. •leveraging innovation funding to pilot new projects locally •Partnering with local organizations (schools, art galleries) to broaden reach and engage diverse stakeholders. •Strengthening their governance by involving local people, for shared decision-making and accountability. The results? •Increased access to engaging educational programmes for young children, boosting their development. •Enganging more families to co-design services are reflective of and responsive to their needs. •Development of physical community assets like community gardens, which provide sustainable resources and learning opportunities for families. •Improved integration of services across providers, leading to more cohesive and effective support networks for families in Margate. There is clearly a long-way to go with this, but this is just one of many examples that shows what is possible. By investing in programmes that support disadvantaged children, we can break down the intergenerational cycle of poverty that holds back so many people and communities. #EndChildPoverty #EarlyIntervention

I’m thrilled to share that the Kids Real Estate & Financial Literacy Academy has partnered with the Restorative & Transformative Justice Hub (RTJ Hub) to deliver a series of seven transformative workshops! Our partnership focuses on imparting crucial Financial Literacy and Real Estate Investing skills to empower young minds. The RTJ Hub plays a pivotal role in supporting at-risk youth by offering alternatives to conventional punitive justice systems, promoting conflict resolution through dialogue and holistic community support. Their mission is vital—breaking cycles of incarceration, poverty, and trauma among youth aged 10-26 by equipping them with the necessary tools for success. This collaboration is built on our 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, aiming to: 1️⃣ 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 – Equip young people with essential knowledge in finance and real estate. 2️⃣ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 – Provide mentorship and leadership opportunities to help youth achieve their potential. 3️⃣ 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 – Connect disadvantaged youth with educational materials and support networks. 4️⃣ 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 – Tailor our efforts to meet the specific needs of at-risk youth, ensuring our interventions offer long-lasting benefits. We’re committed to not just teaching, but creating pathways to a brighter and more secure future for these young individuals. If you or someone you know is involved with a youth organization and is interested in integrating impactful educational programs, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to explore how we can collaborate to bring transformative learning experiences to your community. We’re always looking to expand our network and impact more young lives. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative journey! 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 #FinancialLiteracy #RealEstateEducation #YouthEmpowerment #SocialJustice #CommunitySupport #EducationForAll

I'll be frank: it's not that important to me that you attend our event at the American Enterprise Institute on Wednesday to launch Doing Right by Kids. Those free books will find a home. (See what I did there?) https://lnkd.in/eG75msna What's important to me is that more people spend more time worrying about the limited upward mobility of poor kids. The populism ascendant on both the right and left today wrongly presumes the economy is lousy and is thus focused on (bad) policies to "rebuild capitalism." But American capitalism is a dynamo of wealth creation. Poverty is, more or less, lower than ever. But too many kids who start out at the bottom will remain at the bottom as adults. The kids of security guards can expect higher income than their parents. But that's not enough if those kids can only aspire to the least desirable jobs or cannot expect to become stably married. If, statistically, there were a 40 percent chance your kids would be in the bottom fifth of household income as adults, would you be OK with that? It's not OK that 40 percent of the kids of poor parents remain in the bottom fifth in adulthood. It's not OK that 50-60 percent of black kids of poor parents remain in the bottom fifth while 25-35 percent of poor white kids do. It's true that government policies have been part of the reason why point-in-time poverty has fallen while intergenerational poverty has not. It's also true that we must discourage poor kids from thinking they are powerless to set their course. It's true that keeping kids out of destitution can make upward mobility more likely. It's also true that government policy can compensate for unequal opportunity. But a successful agenda for upward mobility will recognize that we need policies that are different from those most effective at reducing point-in-time poverty. It will reform some policies, try new ones, and drop ineffective ones. A successful agenda will acknowledge that government policy and programs can compensate for disadvantage while admitting that much of what government tries to accomplish will be unsuccessful. It will experiment and try to identify beneficial interventions anyway. A successful upward mobility agenda will also recognize that social capital matters most--seeking both to leverage local social capital but also to rebuild it. It will be impressed with markets and promote personal responsibility. You will be unsurprised that chapters of Doing Right by Kids emphasize center-right approaches to K-12 and postsecondary education, as well as the safety net and family breakdown. But they also address early childhood gaps, the importance of where kids grow up for how they turn out, and the impact of community violence on kids' ability to realize their dreams. ft. Yuval Levin, Ryan Streeter, Kevin Corinth, Checker Finn, Beth Akers, Preston Cooper, Martin West, Brad Wilcox, Matt Weidinger, Kay Hymowitz, John Lettieri, Charles Fain Lehman, & Josh Crawford

Choices for Youth is saddened to share that we are forced to significantly reduce our services for vulnerable youth after months of delays in finalizing a vital funding agreement. Following seven years of federal investment, on June 20, 2024, we were informed we would receive only $4 million in federal funding over four years – just 20% of the $20 million requested from the Government of Canada. We requested access to the total $4 million in the current fiscal year to continue services at existing levels while working to secure alternate long-term support, however, we have still been unable to secure a final funding agreement. These ongoing delays have left us no choice but to make heartbreaking cuts to our programs and services. This includes reducing housing and wrap-around supports for over 350 young people annually. As of Tuesday, August 20, we have implemented layoffs for 16 full-time employees and 15 youth trainees employed through our social enterprises. We are also unable to fill vacancies for 10 full-time staff and 16 youth employees. Furthermore, we have been forced to significantly reduce housing supports for 70 youth, evict eight young people from supportive housing, cut supportive services for 25 vulnerable young moms and 40 children, and eliminate training and educational supports for 35 youth by terminating the delivery of nationally recognized pre-employment training. These changes have directly impacted 45 youth with disabilities, 45 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and over 30 young families. CFY Executive Director Jen Crowe is disheartened by this development and the impact it will have on youth and young families in our province. “Our funding allows youth to engage in social enterprise employment, providing a training ground for vulnerable youth to prepare for the future. It gives young people the tools they need today to provide for themselves and their families in the future. It provides necessary services and supports that cost less, produce better outcomes, and are less harmful than the alternatives.” Despite this unfortunate development, CFY maintains its commitment to providing housing, health, education, employment, and family and natural support services to the most vulnerable youth in our province and will continue to seek opportunities to invest in programming and services that end youth homelessness and help youth achieve their goals. You can read the full Media Release for more details: https://heyor.ca/O5L2e7

When I was studying Early Childhood Education, I read an article in my husband's Stanford alumni magazine about children, education and poverty. Dr. Fernando Mendoza had an insightful comment that has stayed with me. https://lnkd.in/eexVe9Nd Mendoza: " We ought to look at resources not just as dollars, but also as a social milieu. Latinos have godparents, patrinos, who extend a child’s social network. Immigrants, even if they’re single parents, tend to have extended family members who help out. This has been labeled the immigrant paradox: it reaffirms that, both in health and education, at the end of the day it’s not the dollars that make the difference. It’s the social milieu that can be constructed around children to nurture them, to give them vision, to have an identity and a heritage that is meaningful. I grew up poor—my father had a sixth-grade education, my mother had a high school education, so I’m not supposed to be here. But my parents talked about my grandfather being an officer in the Mexican revolution, and that provided the kind of perspective that said I could do that, too; I could be a leader. Is the poverty that we see among immigrants different than the poverty we see among third- or fourth-generation Americans? I would argue that it’s quite different, because the real poverty occurs when a child loses that concept of family structure and family history, and it imprints on them the idea that being poor means you’re stupid, you’re no good, you’re a burden to society and, if you happen to be of color, you also get all the racial overtones." Former professor Robert Putnam has some prescient comments as well in his book OUR KIDS. https://lnkd.in/ecHtYdzz

Children and young people from poor socioeconomic backgrounds often face unique challenges that increase their vulnerability to negative pathways, including involvement with the youth justice system. Growing up in a disadvantaged environment can mean living in communities with high crime rates, facing financial instability, lacking access to quality education and healthcare, and having limited positive role models. The barriers these youth face aren't just financial—they're emotional, educational, and systemic. The stress of not having basic needs met, such as food, shelter, and safety, creates an environment where youth may feel hopeless, invisible, or disconnected from positive opportunities. Limited access to resources and support services can push young people to find alternative means to cope with their circumstances—often leading to risky behaviors or decisions that may eventually result in contact with the youth justice system. Socioeconomic disadvantage doesn't just limit access to material resources; it often means fewer chances for mentorship, healthy social connections, and opportunities to build the skills needed to thrive. When families struggle with economic instability, it can be challenging to provide consistent support, nurturing, or supervision that children need to make positive life choices. The cycle of disadvantage is further perpetuated when these young people encounter the justice system, often resulting in labeling, criminal records, and social stigma that make it harder to access education, employment, or support in the future. Youth from marginalized communities often lack access to legal advocacy or guidance, which further hinders their ability to navigate the system and receive fair treatment. Addressing this issue means more than providing financial support—it requires investing in comprehensive solutions that support youth and their families holistically. These solutions can include: Providing access to mentoring programs that connect youth with positive role models. Offering safe spaces where youth can engage in recreational, educational, and social activities. Ensuring families have access to mental health and social support services. Delivering early intervention programs that equip youth with coping mechanisms and decision-making skills. Breaking the cycle of socioeconomic disadvantage and youth justice involvement requires community-wide efforts and awareness. By understanding the struggles faced by youth in disadvantaged situations and offering support tailored to their needs, we can work towards empowering these young people to lead positive lives, reducing their risk of involvement with the justice system, and building stronger, healthier communities for everyone. Let's invest in our youth today for a brighter future tomorrow.

Mississippi's Struggle and the Promise of Education: A Path Forward Mississippi, known for its rich cultural heritage and as the birthplace of the blues, faces a stark reality that contrasts sharply with its historical significance. As the poorest state in the U.S., with a poverty rate of 18.7% in 2023 (45% in my area), Mississippi confronts deep-seated challenges that span economic, educational, and social spheres. The struggles and challenges are even more significant here in the Delta. The state's struggles are not new. Historical reliance on agriculture, slow industrial development, and natural disasters have contributed to its economic difficulties. Today, despite being a leading producer in sectors like agriculture and forestry, Mississippi grapples with limited employment opportunities, low wages, declining labor participation, and a high percentage of residents living below the poverty line. Education, a critical factor in economic development, also presents a challenge. With only 23.2% of adults holding at least a bachelor's degree (12% in my area), Mississippi lags behind the national average. This underinvestment in education has stifled creativity and innovation, essential for job creation and economic progress. Amidst these challenges, the Tutwiler Community Education Center is pioneering a transformative approach through its microschool network. These microschools will aim to break the cycle of poverty by providing personalized, quality education to K-12 students. Our approach focuses on harnessing each child's unique strengths and interests. By fostering critical thinking and creativity, we aim to equip young minds with the skills to create economic opportunities and drive change in their community. Our vision extends beyond academic achievement. We believe in nurturing a generation that can contribute to Mississippi's economic recovery and cultural richness. The success of this model has the potential to inspire similar transformations across the state, turning small victories into a tide of change for the Magnolia State. Education stands as a beacon of hope in a state where the echoes of history are still felt. That's why we jumped into The Yass Prize. By investing in our children's future, we are addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for long-term economic and social recovery. The Tutwiler Community Education Center's microschool network is more than an educational initiative; it's a commitment to the Mississippi Delta's future, proving that hope and progress can flourish despite adversity. I know there'll be pushback, but that's why I'm here. #EducationFreedom #schoolchoice #personalizedlearning #Princeton #olderbutstronger #notdoneyet

The wellbeing of our children is a reflection of our country's future. The latest Race for Results report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that we are not equipping kids in any group to succeed, with kids of color, who make up a slight majority of youth, having the poorest outcomes. As today's youth are tomorrow's workforce, we need children of every race and ethnicity to succeed for our country to prosper and to have a robust economy. Good public policy is crucial to improve young people's outcomes. The expanded child tax credit, for example, can lift millions of kids and youth out of poverty, having a direct impact on their wellbeing. Our leaders must address the specific barriers kids face on the road to adulthood. Let's work together to ensure a brighter future for all children. #RaceforResults