We at StriveTogether and the Cradle to Career Network know how deeply the places we live in shape the pathways available to young people. With this in mind, we invited Dr. Manuel Pastor — director of the Equity Research Institute at the University of Southern California and a leading voice on the power of…
Across the country, communities in the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network are working to put more young people on a path to economic mobility by addressing barriers to equitable outcomes. StriveTogether’s seven cradle-to-career outcome areas are critical milestones that shape a child’s educational journey and future success. Each post in this series will provide an…
At the 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening, leaders from across the Cradle to Career Network shared valuable lessons about the power of data, community collaboration and sustained partnerships. These insights reflect the collective knowledge of communities working together to create lasting change for young people, from cradle to career. Here are five key takeaways:…
The 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening opened with an inspiring keynote from StriveTogether president and CEO Jennifer Blatz, who reminded us of the movement’s audacious vision: to put 4 million more young people on the path to economic mobility. Her message emphasized the dual power of our collective action and the individual stories of…
The StriveTogether 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening began with an inspiring address by president and CEO Jennifer Blatz, who reaffirmed StriveTogether’s ambitious vision: to put 4 million more young people on the path to economic mobility. Speaking to a room of hundreds of dedicated community leaders and partners, Blatz celebrated both the power of…
As we work toward our 2030 strategic plan to put 4 million more young people on a path to economic mobility, StriveTogether is collaborating with national policy partners to champion key initiatives. In the lead-up to our annual Cradle to Career Network Convening, we’ll be sharing insights and updates on our policy priorities for the…
As we work toward our 2030 strategic plan to put 4 million more young people on a path to economic mobility, StriveTogether is collaborating with national policy partners to champion key initiatives. In the lead-up to our annual Cradle to Career Convening, we’ll be sharing insights and updates on our policy priorities for the upcoming…
As inflation and economic inequity deepen, too many Americans face financial instability and diminished opportunities. But amid these uncertainties is a path forward with transformative potential: place-based solutions. Place-based partnerships are expanding across the country, fostering economic mobility and creating local solutions to address our most pressing challenges. Now, place-based solutions are gaining more national…
Five years ago, I wrote a blog post to explain the “Network Effect” — one of the primary roles that StriveTogether plays to help accelerate network member progress to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. As the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network has grown and advanced toward deeper systems transformation, it…
In the work to create stronger futures for kids and families, change often feels slow. We lay the groundwork for transformation that will impact generations to come. Patience is a daily practice. Sometimes, though, we get to celebrate monumental wins — defining successes that pave the way for significant progress. Earlier this month, I was…
We launched our first Theory of Action™ in 2013 to provide communities with a road map for changing systems to improve outcomes for all youth and families. This framework for change is rooted in how the work happens in communities across the Cradle to Career Network. The Theory of Action™ guides cradle-to-career partnerships through essential…
This guest blog was written by Ryan Lugalia-Hollon, Ph.D., CEO at UP Partnership. To lead is to navigate tension. Performance under pressure is the essence of an executive director or CEO’s job description. Often that pressure comes from the need to make high-quality decisions that may initially thrill few people but will ultimately support as…