Michael Butler’s Post

This is a post shared to explore policies and outcomes. "A successful opportunity economy is built around three core themes. First, start in childhood. Research has shown that the roots of opportunity start at birth. Children who grow up in thriving environments — with good health and nutrition, high-quality education and housing, stable families and positive social influences — are much better positioned to achieve success later in life. Every extra year of exposure to a better environment during childhood improves outcomes later in life.... Second, focus on communities, not individuals, as the unit of change. Children’s chances of rising out of poverty vary dramatically across places.... when conditions in a community improve — for example, if the fraction of parents working in an area increases — children do better, even if nothing changes in their own families. This evidence calls for a place-based approach to improving economic opportunity that targets specific areas and subgroups that lack opportunity rather than attempting to support families uniformly across communities. The third key to an opportunity economy is to build social capital. The strongest predictor of differences in economic mobility across neighborhoods is the degree to which low- and high-income people are connected to one another. In communities where low-income people have many high-income friends, people born into poverty are much more likely to rise up. Connections matter for job referrals, but they’re perhaps more important for guidance in navigating complex decisions like where to live, go to college or start a business. Moreover, people are inspired to follow the paths of those they are connected to, particularly those with similar backgrounds.... Most policies to create economic opportunity focus on providing people with financial incentives and resources, like tax credits for families or small businesses.... But putting social capital at the fore alongside financial supports — a system of “connected capitalism” that brings together those who don’t have opportunities and those who do — may be even more vital for creating opportunity." See the full article at The New York Times or the original research at Opportunity Insights to get the more detailed version. Copied from Seth Kaplan #socialmobility #neighborhood #inequality #place #isolation #children Steven Deller Agricultural & Applied Economics - University of Wisconsin-Madison

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐄  Youth financial inclusion involves multiple, intersecting facets with policies relating to education, entrepreneurship promotion, life skills education, women/girl’s financial inclusion and rural development. Youth financial inclusion is an important layer of all of these policies, and a multifaceted, coordinated policy effort will enable a sustainable youth strengthening agenda with real results.   Access to financial and social assets is a key contributing factor to help youth make their own economic decisions and escape poverty. Providing young people with Microfinance services. can promote entrepreneurship and asset building, and emphasize sustainable livelihoods. This financial (Microfinance) component is especially effective for youth when complemented with capacity building or training in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, and mentorship opportunities.

On Juneteenth, Social Capital Builders is honored to bring the transformative message of social capital to thousands of students, returning citizens, and entrepreneurs. Social capital is the key driver of economic mobility; it's not just about what you know, but who you know that makes a difference. Juneteenth commemorates the day—June 19, 1865—when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This delay in the delivery of such crucial news mirrors how the significance of social capital has been overlooked in our society.While schools spend $7 billion a year measuring what people know, there has been little support for recognizing the crucial role of who you know—until now. As we take on this challenge, we hope you join us in increasing the social capital literacy of students, returning citizens, and entrepreneurs. Together, we can unlock new opportunities and drive lasting, equitable change, ensuring that everyone has the connections they need to succeed. #freedomday National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) National Youth Employment Coalition National Skills Coalition Maryland Innovation Center

How can we tackle some of society’s biggest issues? Many problems are interconnected, so it takes a multi-faceted approach to make a difference. In the most recent Annual Report from the Julius Baer Foundation, the experts take an in-depth look at wealth inequality – one of the biggest challenges of our time. In the report, we learn how education plays a major part, about the Foundation’s convener role, its inspiring projects, and how to join its mission. ➡️ Download the report and read the article here: https://ow.ly/Nfc430sEp8b #OurCommitments

On Juneteenth, Social Capital Builders in partnership with the Academy for Transformational Change is honored to bring the transformative message of social capital to thousands of students, returning citizens, and entrepreneurs. Social capital is the key driver of economic mobility; it's not just about what you know, but who you know that makes a difference. Juneteenth commemorates the day—June 19, 1865—when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This delay in the delivery of such crucial news mirrors how the significance of social capital has been overlooked in our society.While schools spend $7 billion a year measuring what people know, there has been little support for recognizing the crucial role of who you know—until now. As we take on this challenge, we hope you join us in increasing the social capital literacy of students, returning citizens, and entrepreneurs. Together, we can unlock new opportunities and drive lasting, equitable change, ensuring that everyone has the connections they need to succeed. Cities United The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)

How can we tackle some of society’s biggest issues? Many problems are interconnected, so it takes a multi-faceted approach to make a difference. In the most recent Annual Report from the Julius Baer Foundation, the experts take an in-depth look at wealth inequality – one of the biggest challenges of our time. In the report, we learn how education plays a major part, about the Foundation’s convener role, its inspiring projects, and how to join its mission. ➡️ Download the report and read the article here: https://ow.ly/BxbI30sEmL5 #OurCommitments

How can we tackle some of society’s biggest issues? Many problems are interconnected, so it takes a multi-faceted approach to make a difference. In the most recent Annual Report from the Julius Baer Foundation, the experts take an in-depth look at wealth inequality – one of the biggest challenges of our time. In the report, we learn how education plays a major part, about the Foundation’s convener role, its inspiring projects, and how to join its mission. ➡️ Download the report and read the article here: https://ow.ly/v2B130sG8Fg #OurCommitments

How can we tackle some of society’s biggest issues? Many problems are interconnected, so it takes a multi-faceted approach to make a difference. In the most recent Annual Report from the Julius Baer Foundation, the experts take an in-depth look at wealth inequality – one of the biggest challenges of our time. In the report, we learn how education plays a major part, about the Foundation’s convener role, its inspiring projects, and how to join its mission. ➡️ Download the report and read the article here: https://ow.ly/J9QM30sEE9Z #OurCommitments

How can we tackle some of society’s biggest issues? Many problems are interconnected, so it takes a multi-faceted approach to make a difference. In the most recent Annual Report from the Julius Baer Foundation, the experts take an in-depth look at wealth inequality – one of the biggest challenges of our time. In the report, we learn how education plays a major part, about the Foundation’s convener role, its inspiring projects, and how to join its mission. ➡️ Download the report and read the article here: https://ow.ly/41Y530sEwWl #OurCommitments

Free webinar hosted by Oxford University on how innovative investment models can democratize asset ownership and create wealth for everyone. Looking forward to seeing you there!