Mission & History

FII’s mission is to:

1. Create an opportunity rich environment that invests resources in low income communities based on the strengths and initiative they demonstrate towards improving their lives and others lives in their community.
2. Test and advocate for a new set of policies and practices that support community initiative while still protecting the current needs-based system for those in crisis.

FII’s basic premises:

1. There is untapped initiative and capability in the families residing in our toughest neighborhoods that can be catalyzed and will sustain.
2. If given a non-paternal but supportive environment, the large majority of very low income families in long term poverty are capable of taking the initiative needed to improve their own lives, especially if encouraged to work with others in their own natural cultural communities.
3. If a few “typical” families in our toughest neighborhoods are successful in the eyes of their peers, these break-through role models will provide culturally relevant paths to self sufficiency for others.
4. If we develop policies and benefits that reward initiative, a large number of families will follow the paths of their successful peers, creating a “ripple” effect, especially within natural communities.
5. This “ripple” effect will raise the hopes and expectations of success for future generations, transforming our toughest neighborhoods.