Social Networks as an Anti-Poverty Strategy
July 2012
Social service organizations are uniquely positioned to help low-income women cultivate their social networks—a social structure comprised of connections to other individuals, groups, and organizations—by intentionally creating opportunities for them to build relationships with others embedded within the institutional-based network, such as classmates, staff members, volunteers, employers and providers. These new relationships can be a source of support, encouragement, and may provide access to new opportunities and resources that can aid in their advancement toward economic self-sufficiency. By drawing on an analysis of surveys and in depth interviews, Social Networks as an Anti-Poverty Strategy (pdf) makes the case that organizational brokering aimed at supplementing existing social networks for low-income women is an important component in any anti-poverty strategy.
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