Crittenton Women's Union inaugural economic mobility conference sells out
May 01, 2012
BOSTON—A sell-out crowd of 300—among them nationally recognized anti-poverty experts and leaders—participated today in “Disrupting the Poverty Cycle: Emerging Practices to Achieve Economic Mobility 2012,” the first conference of its kind in Massachusetts, hosted by Crittenton Women’s Union, a Boston-based nonprofit innovator in helping low-income women and their families become economically self-sufficient.
“The intense interest in our conference reflects the recognition of the increasing intractability of poverty in this country and the critical impact economic mobility has on our nation’s future,” said Elisabeth D. Babcock, president/CEO of Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU). “We need to develop innovative ways to help families at the bottom of the economic ladder achieve what was once accessible to everyone: the American Dream. This inaugural conference provided an opportunity for those engaged in this work to share insights, learn about new approaches, and report successes as well as failures.”
Conference keynote speakers were Xavier de Souza Briggs, noted MIT sociologist and former associate director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, and Anne Mosle, executive director of Ascend, the Family Economic Security Program, the Aspen Institute, Washington, D.C..
“Disrupting the Poverty Cycle 2012,” held at Simmons College, brought together representatives from many sectors—government, academia, philanthropy, business, and social service. Conference panel topics included “Co-investment for Social Change: Shifting Government from Subsidizing to Investing,” “Return on Investment: Measuring ROI Models,” “Behavioral Economics in Action,” and “Poverty and Social Networks.” The conference was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Citi Community Development.
About Crittenton Women’s Union
Crittenton Women’s Union is a Boston-based nonprofit innovator in helping low-income women and their families become economically self-sufficient. Its unique approach—combining direct service programs, independent research, and public advocacy—helps 1,400 people a year break the cycle of poverty and build better futures for themselves and their families. For more information, go to www.liveworkthrive.org. Like us at Facebook.com/liveworkthrive and follow us on Twitter @liveworkthrive.Conference hashtag: #EconMobilityCon.
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