Advocating for Systems Change

Currently there are as many people living in poverty across the country as when Lyndon Johnson started the "war on poverty".  Obviously, there are things that do not  work or have not been implemented in our social and public systems to help individuals and families in Central Oregon succeed.

The Partnership takes a hard look at these systems and, with our partners, we create programs, initiatives, and advocate for policy changes that will help low-income families succeed and our communities to thrive.  In these efforts, we work to (including current initiatives in which we either lead or participate):

• Create economic opportunity for low-income Central Oregonians
  • Warm Springs Economic Development
• Eliminate barriers to self improvement for those experiencing poverty
  • Transportation Advisory Team
  • Project Connect
  • 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
  • Open Campus Projects
  • School-based health care in Sisters
• Create options to build assets for low-income people
  
  • Bank on Central Oregon
  • Free Tax Preparation/EITC Outreach
  • Financial Education training
• Pursue advocacy and policy solutions to reduce barriers to prosperity
  • Expansion of Oregon EITC, SB1044
  • Changing policy for use of Community Development Grants
• Fill in gaps in services currently available for low income people through innovation and socially entrepreneurial solutions.
  • Central Oregon 2-1-1
  • Volunteer Connect