About the Human Services Program

The Human Services Program seeks to expand equity and opportunity in American cities by transforming the social safety net to help realize a “real” New Deal for families through a Human Rights Economy that advances intergenerational economic success—where families have the income to meet their needs, the ability to save and build assets and wealth, and the freedom to make choices that support their well-being and future. 

We believe lasting change is built with families and communities, not for them. Our work centers their strengths, aspirations, lived expertise and power in shaping the systems that affect their lives. Through authentic partnership, we listen, co-learn, co-create and share power to advance more equitable systems and expand opportunity for families across generations. 

We take a strengths-based approach grounded in the belief that people and families have inherent strengths, capabilities and the agency to shape their own futures. We recognize that family well-being is interconnected across generations and support approaches that consider the needs, aspirations and opportunities of children and the adults in their lives together. 

To advance intergenerational economic success, we invest in strengthening and transforming public and nonprofit human services organizations, building place-based opportunity ecosystems, and advancing public policy and field-building efforts that address the systems, policies and conditions shaping family well-being and economic opportunity.