Too many families in communities within Broward County struggle to make ends meet and at the same time, businesses are seeking needed talent. Longstanding structural barriers and resource constraints have resulted in fragmented opportunities and unrealized potential. There is a need and mutual benefit in aligning the efforts of stakeholders to improve the well-being of families and our economy.
A participatory research and action process was developed to create an open-source Community Action Plan with policy and system change recommendations to assist residents in securing higher-paying jobs and achieving economic mobility.
With the support of residents, business and nonprofit leaders, as well as government and university leaders, a Community Action Plan that addresses the biggest barriers keeping residents from achieving economic mobility was created. This plan focuses on creating systemic change by targeting six (6) broad barriers, with a subsequent 50+ actionable recommendations to tackle them.
In 2016, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance conducted a workforce skills gap analysis for Broward County. It found that specific zip codes in our community experienced unacceptable levels of poverty and unemployment, especially when compacted to the County's average.
These zip codes 33311, 33313, 33319, 33069, 33023, and 33309 represent 12 of Broward’s 31 municipalities.
Because of a history of disparities and inequalities going back decades, transportation, home ownership, and other challenges have created generational cycles of poverty.
For example, our Prosperity communities have median income levels that are lower than the county average ($30,000 vs $53,000). Additionally, while the post-secondary educational attainment rate for the county is 43.9% for adults 25-64 years old, the average is 27% in the six zip codes.
Barriers to economic mobility aren't isolated issues. They're often interconnected and ingrained within systems like education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice. Systemic change tackles these deep-seated problems, not just their symptoms. For example, improving funding formulas for underprivileged schools instead of simply offering remedial classes.
Systemic barriers disproportionately affect marginalized communities, creating cycles of poverty and hindering long-term economic growth. Systemic change seeks to dismantle these unfair structures and practices, promoting equal opportunity and inclusivity, leading to a fairer and more robust local economy.
Systemic changes go beyond temporary fixes and create lasting impact. They challenge underlying values and power dynamics, leading to broader cultural shifts and sustainable improvements. This ripple effect creates a more vibrant and resilient local economy.
Systemic change requires cross-sector collaboration between government, businesses, community organizations, and individuals. This allows for comprehensive solutions that address multiple issues simultaneously and leverage resources effectively. Such collaboration strengthens the local economy and fosters a sense of community ownership.
Systemic change focuses on the well-being of future generations, not just short-term gains. It prioritizes investments in education, infrastructure, and social services that create a healthier foundation for future economic prosperity. This leads to a local economy that is better prepared for long-term challenges and opportunities.
Learn how we are Creating Change and Improving Lives!
Copyright © 2024 Prosperity Broward - All Rights Reserved.
Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Foundation
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.