LIFT Annual Report 2015: Creating A Better Way | Page 5

focus to exclusively serve parents of young children in an effort to more directly address the
cycle of poverty in the U.S. By narrowing in on the point of transmission – from parent to child
– and providing the supports we have demonstrated matter most, we believe that LIFT can help
rebuild the American Dream for families across the country.
As we embark on this next chapter of LIFT’s history, we are thankful to build from a
place of great strength. Looking back at the past year, we have much to celebrate. The
changes that we made to our program – including longer meetings, more rigorous training,
and a more intensive weekly commitment from our Advocates – are paying off. Members
who engage with us more deeply achieve their goals on average 74% more than they did
the previous year. Through our Constituent Voice efforts, we continue to gather Member
feedback, driving more rapid cycle innovation and learning, including a validation of LIFT’s
core hypothesis: that stronger personal and social foundations are correlated with stronger
economic progress.
We also took important steps to prepare for the evolution of our program, including a decision
to double-down on our work in four priority regions – Chicago, DC, Los Angeles, and New York
– cities with some of the highest poverty rates in the country. We plan to pilot new tools and
program models, including peer groups, evening and weekend meeting hours, text messaging,
scholarships, and financial literacy programs. We are also bringing this intentionality to the
design of our physical spaces in order to ensure that children are able to play and develop
as their parents work on their goals nearby. And as we learn more from the parents coming
through our doors, we will continue to adapt our work to deliver greater impact for families.
None of this work – both what we have accomplished as well as the vision for what will be –
would be possible without the incredible support of our staff and Board, especially our outgoing
Board Chair, Michael Gilligan. After leading LIFT through five years of incredible growth,
Michael is passing the baton to our colleague on the Board, Steve Rotella. Steve is deeply
committed to leading LIFT through this next phase of our work and knows that he has big
shoes to fill. So thank you, Michael, for giving so generously of your wisdom, business acumen,
and compassion these past many years.
And thank you to this community for contributing so much in support of our big vision for LIFT
and for the Members we serve. Because of all of you this work is possible.
This next phase of LIFT’s evolution is full of potential, and we need each and every one of you
to help us chart a better way forward for families. Together, we can create a brighter and richer
life for the next generation of children.
Onward,

Kirsten E. Lodal
CEO & Founder

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