“This past weekend, millions of mothers across the United States were celebrated with cards, flowers and well wishes. But Mother’s Day in America has become an act of appreciation without accountability. We applaud mothers for their strength and sacrifice, while perpetuating policies that require both constantly.”
“Cash does not solve everything, but it is a powerful tool to create the conditions for everything else to become possible. If we are serious about supporting mothers rather than just celebrating them, we have to be willing to follow through with concrete ways to improve the experience of mothering. That starts with restoring and making permanent an expanded Child Tax Credit that reaches families monthly, not once a year. It means investing in guaranteed income programs as a complement to existing safety net programs, not a replacement. It means enacting national paid family leave so no parent has to choose between a paycheck and caring for a newborn. And it means treating child care as essential infrastructure, with subsidies and systems that reflect the true cost of care.”
aisha
The Kresge Foundation
READ THE FULL FEATURE STORY HERE
The Kresge Foundation’s Human Services Program centers its work on strengthening systems for and with parents — recognizing both mothers and fathers are essential to family well-being. In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re highlighting the leadership and experiences of mothers.
Mothers, particularly those living with low incomes, show ingenuity and determination as they make things work for their families, stretching limited resources, building support networks and keeping their children supported despite systemic challenges. Their resolve underscores the strength of families and the opportunity to design systems that better support them.
We’re honored that we to be part of this incredible list of women doing essential work across our country!
Forbes: Louisiana v Callais
When Voting Rights Fall So Does Economic Power
READ THE FULL FORBES ARTICLE HERE
“Rising unaffordability and the curtailing of voting rights are not separate issues. They are interconnected. When prices rise, wages lag and small businesses struggle, communities need government to respond with urgency and fairness. They need public officials who understand the daily math of survival. They need leaders who will protect consumers, support entrepreneurs and invest in the neighborhoods most likely to be left behind. That is why voting rights matter so much to economic mobility. Without political power, the people most affected by inflation and disinvestment are least likely to shape the solutions.”
Forbes: When Paychecks Stop
Families Pay The Price
The TSA payment delay is a warning about financial precocity and the need for stronger protections.
“When workers lose pay, they cut spending, fall behind on bills and accumulate debt. That stress does not stay contained in one household. It ripples outward into local businesses, financial institutions and communities already dealing with thin margins. In other words, when the snowball effect of government workers losing pay meets ongoing safety net failures, the economy pays too.”
Forbes: The TANF Accountability Gap
The Jury Says Not Guilty, But TANF’s Accountability Gap Persists
READ AISHA’S LATEST CONTRIBUTION TO FORBES HERE
Mississippi’s welfare scandal highlights how misused anti-poverty dollars fuel inequality, depress local demand and raise long-term costs for everyone.
TANF in Mississippi
A message from our CEO, Aisha Nyandoro, explaining the recent acquittal of officials in the welfare fraud scandal and how this impacts the narrative of low-income families ⬇️