“We Still Have a
Ruthven Phillip, Esq. (Chair)
Kevin Chavous, Esq. (Vice Chair)
Mary Ellen Curtin, Ph.D. (Secretary)
Barbara Bovbjerg (Treasurer)
Salim K. Adofo
Michael Austin, Esq.
Lafayette Barnes
Christian Clansky
Lorén Trull Cox, Ph.D.
Rhonda N. Hamilton
Shakira Hemphill, SHRM-CP
Laura Manville
Hadiyah M. Muhammad
Jennifer Park, Ph.D.
Dorjan Short, MBA
Aron Szapiro
Oliver Spurgeon, III, Esq.
Robert Thorne
Dr. Christine M. Warnke
Robert W. Warren
Joisane Yepmo
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Welcome to UPO’s 40th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast!
As we join together to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, we stand at the crossroads of Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech and his thought-provoking book Where Do We Go From Here. Their overlapping themes show us the urgent necessity for economic justice. It is essential to creating a future where true equality can reign.
UPO has always understood that economic security and education are the cornerstones of a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. For over 6 decades, UPO has been dedicated to creating a society where a dream like Dr. King’s can inspire and guide us all. This Breakfast in his honor has stood for 4 decades and supports the aspirations of families who, while financially burdened, are educationally driven — they want to reach their full potential and UPO helps them achieve their goal.
With your unwavering support, we have sowed scholarships and reaped degrees. You have helped to break generational poverty by investing over $1 million in Joseph A. Beavers Scholarships for more than 200 deserving students. Your generosity has also helped us create a range of UPO programs that respond to the needs of our diverse constituency. We are grateful for your ongoing support of UPO’s mission and eagerly anticipate our continued work together to make a meaningful impact on so many lives. The seeds of change that you plant today will blossom into educators, leaders, and trailblazers, reflecting the principles we hold dear at UPO.
We extend an invitation to you: Engage with us even more this year as a supporter or volunteer as we live out our mission of Uniting People with Opportunities.
Please enjoy a wonderful and meaningful MLK weekend.
Andrea Thomas
UPO President & CEO
OPENING
Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his “Where Do We Go From Here” Speech
INTRODUCTION OF INVOCATION and MC Daniel Ofori-Addo, UPO Executive Vice President & CIO INVOCATION
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
“LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING”
WELCOME REMARKS
OPENING REMARKS, 2024 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PRIORITIES, and SPONSOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PRESENTATION OF OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF MLK ORATORICAL CONTEST WINNERS
MLK ORATORICAL CONTEST 1ST PLACE WINNER
BREAKFAST SERVED
INTRODUCTION OF ERIC HOLDER
The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Canon Missioner and Minister of Equity and Inclusion, Washington National Cathedral
Jade Polly, 2014 Beavers Scholar
Soloist Jaynise Coleman, UPO Youth Services division (Please Stand)
Ruthven Phillip, Esq., UPO Board Chair
Andrea Thomas, UPO President & CEO
Ruthven Phillip, Esq., UPO Board Chair
Andrea Thomas, UPO President & CEO
Dianna Guinyard, UPO Vice President of Operations & COO
Harmony Brown-Johnson reads Dr. King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech
Lafayette Barnes, Chair of UPO Development Committee
SPECIAL REMARKS Eric Holder, former Attorney General of the U.S.
Ivan Laney, Director, UPO Workforce Institute; Interim Director, Youth Services division
PRESENTATION OF BEAVERS SCHOLARS
Alex Lawler, UPO College and Readiness Coordinator (Youth Services division)
INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KEYNOTE SPEECH
CLOSING REMARKS
Lorén Trull Cox, Ph.D., member of UPO Board of Directors
Dr. Russell Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum
Andrea Thomas, UPO President & CEO
Dr. Russell Wigginton became President of the National Civil Rights Museum in 2021. This museum, transformed into a sanctuary of remembrance and healing, is on the site of the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated. Dr. Wigginton said, “The Museum's physical place and all that it represents plays a vital role in understanding our nation’s history in the areas of civil and human rights — and how that impacts our nation today.”
Dr. Wigginton has over 30 years of experience in education, philanthropy, executive management, and program development, as well as strategic planning and partnership building.
He has deep roots in the Memphis community, having worked at Rhodes College, his alma mater, as a history professor and senior level administrator for 23 years. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History in 1988, Dr. Wigginton returned to Rhodes
in 1996 as a William Randolph Hearst Fellow, transitioning to teaching full-time before moving into administration. He earned his doctorate in 2000 in African American History at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.
While teaching in the history department at Rhodes, Dr. Wigginton published a book, The Strange Career of the Black Athlete: African-Americans and Sports, as well as articles and essays on African American social and labor history. He has served on numerous civic boards, including the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Zoo, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Facing History and Ourselves, Ballet Memphis, Arts Memphis, Urban Art Commission, Bridges USA, St. George’s Independent Schools, Promise Academy Charter School, and KIPP Schools.
He is married to Tomeka Hart Wigginton, Managing Director for Blue Meridian Partners, and has a son, Ryan.
Ayana Bias
Jo Raffa Boukhira
Temika Carroll
Jaynise Coleman
Tyrone Davis
Charity Ezenwa Onuaku
Bernadette Ferrell
Laurette “Elle” Hilliard
Kiara Jones
Alice Jordan
Samuel Kwofie
Alexander Lawler
Ed Lazere
RJ Mendez
Robin J Myers
Daniel Ofori-Addo
Zohar Rom
Marques Ross
Brenton Sanford
Cynthia Senefiawo Amedoda
Jerald Thomas
Magli Villarroel
Chi Vo
Eric Wang
Avis Warley
Bianca Washington
Regina Woodson
Kyra Wright
Connor Zielinski
ERIC H. HOLDER, JR. Defender of American Rights
U.S. Congressman John Lewis was eager to write about Eric Holder for Time magazine’s list of The 100 Most Influential People. He called Mr. Holder “the justice seeker” who defended our freedoms and values and “worked tirelessly to ensure equal justice.”
Mr. Holder served as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States from 20092015. As the third longest serving Attorney General in U.S. history and the first African American to hold that office, he became an internationally recognized leader on regulatory enforcement, criminal justice, and national security issues.
Including his tenure as Attorney General, he served
in government for more than 30 years for Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Reagan. He prosecuted terrorists, confronted the banking industry over mortgage fraud and tax evasion, and took on states over restrictive voting practices, discriminatory sentencing, and antiimmigration laws.
Mr. Holder is now Senior Counsel at Covington & Burling LLP. He advises clients on complex investigations and litigation matters, including ones that are international in scope and involve significant regulatory enforcement issues and substantial reputational concerns.
Lift every voice and sing ‘Til Earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on ’til victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, ‘Til now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.
True to our God, True to our native land.
Lyrics by James Weldon Johnson; music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson
UPO’s scholarship fund is named for the late Joseph A. Beavers, a dedicated member of UPO’s Board of Trustees and legendary Washington, DC labor leader who had a lifelong commitment to youth and education. In 1992, UPO posthumously honored Mr. Beavers by naming the scholarship fund after him.
Mr. Beavers was a longtime civil rights activist — notably, he was treasurer for the 1963 March on Washington. He retired as the first Vice President of the Hotel & Restaurant Employees Union.
For more information about our scholarship opportunities, please contact Alex Lawler at (202) 610-2014.
“I used UPO’s Beavers Scholarship to study abroad in Ghana and Senegal. Without the scholarship, I would never have immersed myself into a new culture. [And now, as a teacher,] I would not be able to empower my students to learn about their history. I treat my students as my children — what UPO poured into me, I’m pouring back into them.”
- Jade Polly (today’s MC) graduated cum laude with high honors from Davidson College and then earned her Master’s degree in Teaching. During middle and high school, she was mentored in the 1st Cohort of UPO’s P.O.W.E.R. Program. (P.O.W.E.R.’s academic, cultural, and social enrichment activities help to develop critical thinking in 6-12th graders.)
Benjamin Banneker HS
Brianna will be the first person in her family to attend college. She is already an inspiring leader who wants to give back to her community. She plans to work in cybersecurity to help people, especially the elderly, protect themselves from online threats.
School Without Walls
Jasmin is a role model: A leader with passion and poise who inspires her peers. She says that Psychology is her calling. She will be the first person in her family to attend college, and Johns Hopkins is her dream school.
KIPP DC College Preparatory HS
Jada’s stories will make the world a better place. Her goals include: To publish her first book next year, become an author like Angie Thomas, and then become a journalist. Jada’s teachers call her a classroom leader who helps her peers overcome struggles.
H.D. Woodson HS
Shanti is class president and a football team manager. She wants to blend the worlds of commerce and social impact: Majoring in Business and Public Administration will enable her to break down barriers and become a beacon of hope.
KIPP DC College Preparatory HS
Gwen has a passion for Animal Science, which may take her to Howard University. Yet her purpose in life is to bring joy to others so she may study Musical Theater. Either way, she will join a community where people “accept who you are and who you want to become.”
Clark Construction Group, LLC
DC Housing Authority
Franklin Advisors, LLC
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Al’s Twin Air, LLC
American Psychological Association
Jo Raffa Boukhira
CDW
Beacon Hill Staffing Group
Delta Housing Corporation of the District of Columbia
Gallagher Benefit Services
Giant Food
Office Catering
Jennifer Park
RCM&D
Safeway Foundation
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Dianna Guinyard
Laurette Hilliard
Ed Lazere
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission
MedStar Family Choice-District of Columbia
Daniel Ofori-Addo
TD Bank
T. H. Easter Consulting United Bank
PNC Bank
Robert Half
Kaye Savage
School Health Corporation
Andrea Thomas UBT
WinnCompanies
Your generous donation means so much to UPO and to our Joseph A. Beavers scholars.
Because of you, our scholars will get the financial support they need to thrive in college.
Please consider donating throughout this morning’s breakfast. You can donate via:
Scan this QR Code CHECK
Payable to The United Planning Organization Memo Line: MLK Scholarship
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So many easy ways to donate!
Won’t you help these outstanding students gain economic security through education today?
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Congratulations to the 3 winners of our youth competition! Each of them earned a cash award for their impressive reading of Dr. King’s final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”
The night before he was assassinated, Dr. King delivered these prophetic, memorable words in support of striking sanitation workers.
At today’s MLK Breakfast, Harmony Brown-Johnson will read “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”
is in 10th grade at Benjamin Banneker
Academic High School and looks forward to a career as a therapist, counselor, or social worker.
is in 10th grade at Benjamin Banneker
Academic High School and intends to become healthcare professional or criminal justice lawyer.
is in 9th grade at Benjamin Banneker
Academic High School and wants to become a radiologist or oncologist.
Jaynise Coleman is a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Southeast DC. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts where she majored in vocal music. While at Ellington, she accompanied artists such as Denyce Graves, Richard Smallwood, and Patti LaBelle. Jaynise was a student in the 1st Cohort of UPO’s P.O.W.E.R. Program for 6-12th graders. She now serves as UPO’s Program Coordinator for the Youth Services division’s C.R.E.A.T.E. Program for 1-5th graders.
The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is an initiative from the Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser and is overseen by the DC Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB). UPO was chosen as the catalyst to bring financial health and education to all residents of DC. As the city’s first FEC, we will be the model for future centers across the District.
The FEC gives DC residents free one-on-one counseling with certified financial counselors who provide financial empowerment through education (including financial literacy and how to achieve generational wealth). We are helping people emerge from trouble and change their lives.
Our team is in UPO’s Petey Greene Community Service Center, 2907 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20032. If you need help, or know a DC resident who does, it’s time to make an appointment: (202) 682-6572 or FEC@upo.org
Please reach out!
BREAKING NEWS: The PBS series Opportunity Knocks came to Petey Greene to videotape a segment about the FEC! We’re waiting to hear when it will air in 2024.
On November 3, UPO unveiled a new center for children, complete with a new education model that’s better for children, parents, and educators.
This new Early Childhood Education Center is for the community around Randle Highlands Elementary School. Since the center is on Randle’s DCPS campus, children who start at the new center (when they are 6 weeks - 3 years old) can stay in one school for many years to come. The first student to explore the wonders of his new classroom was 1-year-old Myles (pictured below). He's also the star of our video about the event (see our YouTube channel: www.youtube. com/@TheUPOinDC).
Osa Imadojemu helped to envision this center when he was Deputy Committee Director and General Counsel of the Committee on Health for Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray. Mr. Imadojemu
is thrilled that the dream has come true!
The driving force behind the new center and the new model of education is the Bainum Family Foundation, which is devoted to improving equity in early education. By blending input from UPO and many other experts, Bainum’s WeVision EarlyEd initiative has developed a way to “make the ideal real” in childcare. We are honored to partner with Bainum on this center and future ones.
Here’s some background about the connection between UPO and Bainum:
• UPO is the District’s largest Early Head Start provider; we operate 17 centers (in addition to the new one at Randle, which is a different model). Since we have a proven method of helping families thrive, the city also asked our Office of Early Learning to become the main hub of DC’s Quality Improvement Network: We train other neighborhood centers to ensure that they reach a high standard.
• In 2016, Bainum reached out to UPO and began a long-term collaboration to enhance and expand early learning in DC. UPO was instrumental in Bainum accomplishing its goal of adding 750 highquality early learning seats in Wards 7 and 8.
• Our fruitful partnership extends to the Eagle Academy Early Learning Center in Ward 8, where UPO provides innovative programming and comprehensive services for children from birth to 8th grade. This was the first program of its kind in the District; with the help of DC Public Schools, this effective approach has expanded into the Malcolm X and Ketcham Elementary Schools.
UPO holds Equity Forums on the most urgent issues facing our beloved District. Previous topics included:
• Mental Health/Behavioral Health
• Affordable Housing
• Education
• Bridging the Digital Divide with Transformation, Equity, and Innovation
At our latest forum, moderator Delonte Gholston led a discussion on what we can do together, right now, to reduce violence. Our panelists were:
• David Bowers – Founder of No Murders DC (in 1997)
• Abdur “Roc” Kelly - Youth Leader
• Kristy Love - DC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
• Tyrone C. Parker - Alliance for Concerned Men (retired)
The audience of 125 community members asked questions in a spirit of collaboration. The conversation included these takeaways:
• Government and community leaders ought to use “focused deterrence” that emphasizes outreach and services to the people most at risk of engaging in violence. The intent is to show care and offer help, especially to children who are truant, getting suspended, and in the child welfare system.
• The Mayor needs to create an office with proximity to power that coordinates all agencies and community partners that have a role in reducing violence.
• In the long run, improving economic security is the key to safer communities. As Roc Kelly said, “The solution to violence is empowering the oppressed, ending poverty. Everything else is treating the symptoms and ignoring the disease.”
We held our event at the True Reformer Building, which was the first building in the country to be designed, financed, built, and owned by the African-American community after Reconstruction. It was designed by John A. Lankford (DC’s first African-American registered architect) for the True Reformers, an African-American organization designed to promote social change.
United Planning Organization (UPO) believes that everyone deserves to be economically secure and reach their full potential.
UPO was established in 1962 to develop bold ways to provide human services in DC and be a catalyst for change In 1964, as part of the federal War on Poverty, UPO became the designated DC Community Action Agency to strengthen and support DC residents with low incomes and their communities.
Today, UPO Unites People with Opportunities with a holistic approach that includes early childhood education, youth development, job training and placement, housing, health and wellness, volunteering, and supporting people to advocate for themselves. Our 400+ staff and 400+ volunteers help 50,000+ DC residents each year.
UPO understands the obstacles and systemic challenges that prevent thousands of DC residents from achieving economic security. Our 2024 legislative and budget advocacy priorities reflect actions that are essential to help DC’s residents with the lowest incomes meet their basic needs and build the foundation for a better life. This agenda, created by engaging with UPO customers and staff, reconnects UPO with our roots as we demand change.
• Fully fund the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
• Expand Permanent Supportive Housing to 1,000 more families and individuals
• Adopt and fund the Rapid Re-Housing Reform Act
• Strengthen Rent Control
• Provide a Local Rent Supplement Program voucher to 1,000 households on the DC Housing Authority waiting list
• Create a refundable DC Child Tax Credit
• Address the “benefits cliff” by phasing TANF benefits out more slowly when parents go back to work
• Fund Give SNAP a Raise, a 10% increase in benefits
• Fund and Implement the No Senior Hungry Act
Place 1,000 residents into subsidized jobs that can lead to living-wage employment
Improve the Pay Equity Fund for child care teachers and other staff
Increase the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based trauma healing services for the people and communities most impacted by gun violence.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): ERAP provides financial assistance to people facing eviction, but the program quickly runs out of money every year, leaving thousands at risk of eviction.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): PSH provides housing and supportive services to people facing chronic homelessness. PSH provides housing stability and helps people manage other challenges, like mental health treatment and substance use disorder.
Rapid Re-Housing Reform Act: Rapid Re-housing (RRH) provides transitional housing for people facing homelessness but is badly flawed, and it expects participants to afford DC’s high rents on their own within 2 years. The DC Council has introduced legislation to reform RRH, including preventing participants from being terminated if they don’t have an affordable housing option.
Strengthen Rent Control: Rent control helps keep people in their homes but DC’s program has many limitations, including that it only applies to buildings built before 1976 and allows rents to rise faster than inflation. Rent control should be extended to more buildings and DC should limit exceptions that allow large rent increases.
DC’s Local Rent Supplement Program: LRSP provides vouchers so that tenants pay just 30% of their income for rent, making it the best affordable housing tool for people with extremely low incomes. A 2006 DC task force recommended 1,000 new vouchers per year, but
the average has been 400, and even less than that in recent years.
Give SNAP a Raise Act: SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) is in many ways the best food assistance program, but the benefit levels are too low and leave many with an empty fridge long before the end of the month. The DC Council passed legislation in 2022 to raise SNAP benefits by 10%, but it will need new funding to be in effect in 2024.
No Senior Hungry Act: The District passed legislation in 2022 to support seniors by requiring a citywide senior nutrition plan, improving food services at the Department of Aging and Community Services, easing application processes for food programs and more. But the bill has not been funded.
DC Child Tax Credit: Child poverty fell dramatically in 2021 thanks to a substantial expansion of the federal child tax credit. But that expired in 2022. DC should create its own Child Tax Credit modeled on the federal credit (but probably at a lower level). A bill to create a $500 child tax credit has been proposed but not adopted.
Help Families Exit TANF by Addressing the “Benefits Cliff”: DC’s TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) program provides around $750 a month for a family of 3, and benefits phase out entirely once a parent earns just $2,100 a month. This “benefits cliff” can discourage parents from looking for work or increasing their work hours.
DC should delay any reduction in benefits for a year after someone finds a job and then phase out benefits slowly.
The Child Care Pay Equity Fund: The Pay Equity Fund, created in 2022, provides a salary boost of $10,000 or more to child care teachers as part of a long-term effort to ensure that child care staff are compensated on par with K-12 teachers. But the Pay Equity Fund does not provide a larger salary to experienced educators, nor does it include any other staff beyond teachers. These limits should be addressed.
Subsidized Jobs as a Transition to Living-Wage Work: Better access to living-wage jobs is a critical element of helping residents achieve economic security. Programs that place people into jobs offer a real work experience, provide needed income, and encourage employers to give workers a chance to get a foothold in the job market.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT helps people recognize triggers for self-destructive behavior and offers techniques for responding differently. Culturally sensitive CBT, led by trusted community partners, can help disrupt the cycle of violence by helping people traumatized by violence in their communities and in their lives.
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Text MLK40 to 41444 to Donate!
Is proud to sponsor UPO and the 40th AnnualMLK Jr. Memorial Breakfast
“INTELLIGENCE plus CHARACTER —That is the goal of true EDUCATION”
—MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
UNITED PLANNING ORGANIZATION’S 40TH ANNUAL
on 61 years of supporting D.C. families and children.
The Bainum Family Foundation is working to create a society where all children thrive. Visit us at bainumfdn.org.
Our powerful exhibits immerse you in the fight for equality, from MLK's legacy to today's movements.
Visit civilrightsmuseum.org to plan your trip today!
The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, honors and preserves the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We chronicle the American civil rights movement and tell the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights. We educate and serve as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change.
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”
“The time is always right to do what is right”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
of Martin Luther King
“The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Where do we go from Here: Chaos or Community” 1967
The UPO Executive Team celebrates our Beavers Scholars and UPO’s 40th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast!
Every day, we light the path to a brighter future where everyone is economically secure. Today, we support the emerging leaders who will help to create that Beloved Community.
Over 180 years ago, United Bank established a banking tradition of providing excellence in service to the people and communities we serve. This commitment and our safe, sound and secure practices have guided us throughout our history.
We
are Educators. We are Dream Builders.
We are Opportunity-makers and Poverty-fighters.
We believe that everyone deserves a chance to pursue and live sustainable, successful lives. With our help, people become the change agents of their lives and pave their pathways to economic security.
Our approach is holistic and generational. As the only Community Action Agency serving the residents of Washington, DC, we’ve touched thousands of lives over our 60 years. We offer more than 30 programs and human services. We help our customers get a job; learn a skill, find and stay in affordable housing. We teach financial literacy, offer early learning and adult education, help send high school students to college and keep our seniors physically and mentally active.
From newborn babies to senior adults, when you’re a part of the UPO family, we wrap our arms around you and are with you every step of the way.
Our mission is to Unite People with Opportunities so they and their communities can thrive. A human and community development organization, UPO serves over 50,000 DC residents annually, from babies to elders. Our team
treats education as the key to helping people lift themselves out of poverty.
Office of Early Learning: DC’s largest Early Head Start provider
Youth Services: Hands-on project-based STEM enrichments that drive student success in college and careers
UPO Workforce Institute: Job training and placement, with the city’s largest Construction Skills Center
Community Advocacy: Opportunities to lead, serve, and engage that change lives and strengthen communities
Legislative Advocacy: Tackling the causes and conditions of poverty by voicing how policy impacts opportunity
Affordable Housing: Case management to keep people in stable homes (Permanent Supportive Housing), partnerships with developers to create new housing, and innovative initiatives
Community Reinvestment: Financial counseling, housing counseling (including foreclosure prevention), and free tax preparation
Foster Grandparent Program: Classroom mentoring by 200 senior volunteers; UPO’s team is the most prominent in the nation
Community Health: Comprehensive Treatment Center (methodone treatment), EBT, and Shelter Hotline
Community Impact: Place-based strategies that help neighborhoods flourish
