A Partnership, Not a Service

The Family Independence Initiative (FII) believes we can impact poverty if we shift the responsibility for change to those who experience poverty. Everyone wants control over their circumstances and a reasonable set of choices for their children’s futures. FII operates under the assumption that, like most middle and upper class people, most low-income families are capable of taking tangible steps towards establishing control and choice in their lives. What these families lack is sufficient capital and access to opportunities and information that are more readily available to the middle and upper income.

FII provides computers, access to small amounts of capital, and connections to opportunities. FII challenges low-income families to come up with their own solutions and move their own agendas. Inspired by historical and modern examples of communities of friends working together, FII only works with peer groups of families. Working with the support of family and friends, families have demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and have made significant progress in helping themselves and creating a positive ripple effect in their greater communities.

FII San Francisco Families Ask the Mayor to Expand Project; Mayor Says Yes

On a Thursday in May dozens of families from the Family Independence Initiative’s San Francisco pilot showed up at City Hall to attend a press conference where Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the tremendous success of FII’s pilot project. In the weeks leading up to the press conference the families sent the mayor letters asking for his support in funding an expansion of the project. The families knew that their success had inspired nearly 200 other families to request enrollment in FII–San Francisco and they wanted these households to join.

The families spoke and the Mayor listened. Because of the tremendous progress the enrolled families have made and the high demand for the project, Mayor Newsom stated that he wants to see FII’s project made “permanent” and “expanded dramatically” to include “thousands of people in hundreds of families” in San Francisco.

The entire press conference can be viewed here. Read the San Francisco Chronicle article about FII or watch the ABC, channel 7 coverage.

The success of the first 16 families enrolled in the FII pilot project includes:

  • Average household income gain: 20.9%
  • Number of business started/expanded: 6
  • Percentage of children with grade improvement: 48%
  • Number getting new health insurance: 17
  • Number of new homeowners: 2

Read the Two-Year Report on FII–San Francisco.

This video shows participants in FII pilot projects talking about their experiences with FII and with one another.

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