"Economic Security Is..." Campaign
Economic Security is.... freedom to thrive, the peace of mind to live today and plan for the future, without always worrying about economic hardship nipping at your heels. Everyone should have the opportunity to afford the basics and believe in the American Dream that hard work will pay off. Everyone should be able to live in healthy, safe, neighborhoods with access to good education, parks, libraries, health care, and quality jobs - the building blocks of opportunity and thriving communities. Where these opportunities fall short, we can choose new policies to build broader prosperity.
For too long, the center of debate and policy action has focused on reducing poverty. However, moving out of poverty is a long way from making ends meet. Working full time at the federal minimum wage, a single mother is paid roughly $15,000 a year and cannot earn her way out of poverty as defined by the federal measure of poverty ($19,790 family of 3 in 2014). Poverty is a status from which one should be removed: a negative, exclusive force. Reducing poverty alone does not measure or accomplish enough meaningful progress to remain the benchmark for how well people and communities are faring.
It's time to look forward, toward our goals and aspirations. Today we launch the "Economic Security Is..." campaign.
Our work fits squarely with critical efforts to improve job quality and address inequality. We will apply research to describe and measure progress toward security and equity as well as elevate solutions to wholesale improve conditions for people across communities. The "Economic Security Is..." campaign will create greater understanding of, and shift our public conversation toward, economic security. Economic security includes all those who aspire to or feel economically secure. Toward that ideal, we are reaching out to communities across place, race, gender, and age and other partners in progress to build the public will that compels policy maker action. An inclusive community promotes strong families, active democracy, and a well-functioning economy. Working together, we can do better to achieve progress toward economic security for all.
PLEASE JOIN US
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We will be sharing, ideas, data, videos, and stories. Please plagiarize our materials, share them widely. Add your voice to the conversation. Spark debate in your communities. Help your mother, brother, and six year old understand what economic security is and why it matters.
1. Follow us on social media and share your voice using #metricsmatter and #economicsecurity:
Twitter @metrics_matter
Tumbler http://metricsmatter.tumblr.com
Facebook @metricsmatter
2. Download and share our "Economic Security Is..." Concept Paper
3. View the recording of the webinar held on July 16th
- "Toward Economic Security: Understanding the power of the stigma of poverty in efforts to promote opportunity and equity"
- Download the PDF of the presentation.
- Watch the webinar recording.
The “Economic Security Is…” campaign will roll out in three phases
Phase 1 - Launch of Economic Security Campaign (Summer/Fall 2015)
- Kickoff | July 26, 2015
- Please join us in advancing awareness about economic security, what it is and why it matters.
- Over the length of the campaign we will provide a steady stream of talking points, op/eds, infographics, media assistance, highlight partner data describing economic security, videos, and stories which the community of economic security builders can use to advance discussion of economic security. Please click here to join our email list.
- Check out this page for the latest new material!
- Please join the conversation on social media!
Phase 2 - Building Momentum
This ongoing work of the campaign will build on the collaboration and energy built during the campaign launch to identify and partner with more allies and leverage opportunities to expand public discussion about the value of economic security
Phase 3 - Advancing public debate and policy solutions
As we engage the public in dialogue about economic security we must also pursue common sense efforts to create change at scale through policy that promotes economic security.
We are grateful to our steering committee that informs and guides this important work:
- Axel Aubrun, Topos Partnership
- Noah Berger, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center
- Mekaelia Davis, Prudential Foundation
- Shawn Fremstad, Center for American Progress
- Anika Fassia, Public Works
- Chris Hoene, California Budget and Policy Center
- Jennifer Lee, Center for Public Policy Priorities
- Elaine Mejia, Public Works
- Lori Pfingst, Washington State Budget and Policy Center
- Gabriela Sandoval, The Insight Center
- Tse Ming Tam, United Way of Bay Area
- Kasey Wiedrich, Corporation for Enterprise Development
For more information or to get involved, please contact:
