Robert L. Caldwell Director-Institute for Urban Public Policy The National Center for Urban Solutions
www.ncusoultions.org
Social Entrepreneurship in Urban America
Institute for Urban Public Policy To connect
Research, Policy and Practice in ways that work to empower people mired in the cycle of generational poverty to transform their lives and their communities
Research
Change Practice
Policy
Institute for Urban Public Policy
The Problem
The “Charity” Assumption
For decades well intended programs of public and private social service institutions have had a mixed impact on the poor living in urban communities While some have had a positive impact, most (programs) have had a devastating negative impact, often consigning families to remain mired in the cycle of poverty for generations
Institute for Urban Public Policy
The Problem
The “Charity” Assumption
Programs with positive impacts operate with an “asset” assumption that people can do for themselves, and offer support/resources while requiring personal investment and personal responsibility Programs with negative impacts operate from a “charity” (or deficit) assumption that people cannot do for themselves, and offer support without requiring personal investment and personal responsibility
Institute for Urban Public Policy
The Problem
The “Charity” Assumption
While there is a place for charity, (particularly when people truly cannot do for themselves), the “charity” assumption does not empower. It strips people of dignity and negatively impacts selfefficacy Additionally its effect demands that an unsustainable amount of resources continue to be invested in programs/services that do not empower people to liberate themselves from the cycle of poverty
Institute for Urban Public Policy
The Problem
The “Charity” Assumption
Work to alleviate poverty in urban communities must transition from the social services and the “charity” assumption To economic development, and the assumption that people can liberate themselves from the cycle of poverty when empowered to do so
Institute for Urban Public Policy Policy Agenda To move the work to alleviate poverty in urban communities from social services to economic development
Poverty is not a social problem… Poverty is an economic problem… with social consequences
Institute for Urban Public Policy Policy Agenda To move the work to alleviate poverty in urban communities from social services to economic development
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Through economic development we can provide low/no income families real opportunities for economic self-sufficiency This is not charity, this is a strategic investment in people that is both the solution to the problem of poverty in urban America, and a way to grow a productive local (and national) economy.
Social Entrepreneurship in Urban America
My Story…
Apollo 13 The Movie…
Social Entrepreneurship in Urban America
Understanding the Poverty Problem in Urban America
The Dominant Culture effect‌
Community Engagement & Service Delivery People mired in generational poverty …
Program & Service Staffing Program & Service Development
What people see & react to…
What people do not see or understand…
Corporate/Government/Institutional
Values, Polices, & Procedures
Socio-Economic System
Dominant Culture Values
Social Entrepreneurship in Urban America
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Dominant Culture Privilege
Exercise # 1: Understanding Dominant Culture effect‌
Community Engagement & Service Delivery People mired in generational poverty…
Program & Service Staffing Program & Service Development
What people see & react to…
What people do not see or understand…
Corporate/Government/Institutional
Values, Polices, & Procedures
Socio-Economic System
Dominant Culture Values
Problem Community Impacts Society at large…
Individual & Family Reaction
What people see & react to…
Public/Private Behavior No Living Wage Employment Opportunities / Sub Standard Housing
Low/No Academic or Vocational Training Low /No Economic Literacy
Low sense of Personal/Spiritual Value
What people do not see or understand…
Alleviating Poverty through “Social-Entrepreneurship”
Social Work is • about capacity building in people Entrepreneurship is • about applying business acumen to achieve targeted outcomes
Alleviating Poverty through “Social-Entrepreneurship�
To alleviate poverty in urban communities Social Entrepreneurship must combine these two focuses to build capacity in people towards the targeted outcome of Economic Self-Sufficiency
Alleviating Poverty through “Social-Entrepreneurship”
There is a formula that must be embedded in any poverty alleviating enterprise to assure the greatest opportunity for people to achieve Economic Self Sufficiency…
What is it?
PD + PI +TCS = PT Robert L. Caldwell Director – Institute for Urban Public Policy VP, Professional Training & Development The National Center for Urban Solutions (614) 857-1811 RCaldwell@NCUSolutions.org www.NCUSolutions.org