Children and an educator work on a lesson

What is this civic infrastructure?

At StriveTogether, we’re building civic infrastructure to support every child from cradle to career. That sounds great, but what does it really mean?  Infrastructure holds communities together: roads, bridges, an electricity grid. But there are some connections we can’t see. Relationships, collaboration, goal setting and data sharing are part of infrastructure, too. These pieces are…

The All Hands Raised staff poses for a group picture, with a wall of glass windows behind them. Four people sit on a couch and five people stand behind them.

Network coaching spotlight: Leading collaborative action in Portland

Systems change can be a daunting challenge, requiring cross-sector coordination across organizations. But even the most complex systems are made up of people. When we support people to take up their roles and use their individual power, we can create lasting change.   StriveTogether’s coaching program, Coaching for Collaborative Action, supports leaders in stewarding their work…

A teacher and a young girl look at a book together

Making opportunity possible: Transforming systems in Dayton, Ohio 

  In Dayton, Ohio, transformative change is creating more opportunities for young people. StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network member Learn to Earn Dayton is using data, collaborating across the community, and shifting power and resources to get better, more equitable outcomes.   Learn to Earn Dayton has developed the region’s civic infrastructure — the connections between…

A female teacher wearing a blue medical face mask kneels next to a table, helping a male student who is also wearing a blue medical face mask.

Transforming systems with data and collaboration in Central Texas 

  In Central Texas, Cradle to Career Network member E3 Alliance is transforming education systems through data and collaboration. Since 2006, E3 Alliance has worked with school districts, higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofits and policy leaders across the region. Now, their work has earned the Systems Transformation designation along the StriveTogether Theory of Action™. E3…

A group of three people stand discussing a timeline that's posted on the wall

Network coaching spotlight: Deepening data work in Boston

Systems change can be a daunting challenge, requiring cross-sector coordination across organizations. But even the most complex systems are made up of people. When we support people to take up their roles and use their individual power, we can create lasting change.  StriveTogether’s coaching program, Coaching for Collaborative Action, supports leaders in stewarding their work…

Four high school graduates sit in a row, smiling at the camera. They're wearing green caps and gowns.

Three keys to improving postsecondary and workforce outcomes for youth

Across the country, members of the Cradle to Career Network are working to reduce barriers to postsecondary success for students in their communities.  Here are three insights into how they’re getting results:  Make data accessible and actionable.    Using data to make informed decisions and improve strategies is critical to getting better outcomes for students. Cradle…

The network effect in action: Building pathways for postsecondary and employment success

The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network has a clear vision – every child and young person should have a pathway to economic mobility. The seven outcomes we pursue are the milestones that make up that pathway. A growing body of research supports the notion that outcome improvements in postsecondary enrollment, postsecondary completion and employment are…

Network coaching spotlight: Developing a shared community vision in Central Oregon

Systems change can be a daunting challenge, requiring cross-sector coordination across organizations. But even the most complex systems are made up of people. When we support people to take up their roles and use their individual power, we can create lasting change.   StriveTogether’s coaching program, Coaching for Collaborative Action, supports leaders in stewarding their work…

How to measure systems to hold them accountable

Communities across the country are building civic infrastructure to get better, more equitable results for kids. Like physical infrastructure, civic infrastructure connects key elements of a community, including people, ideas and resources. It focuses on outcomes rather than programs and uses data to improve. At StriveTogether, we’ve learned a lot about building effective civic infrastructure…

A group of seven girls smile at the camera. Three of them are sitting on a bench and four are standing behind the bench.

Changing systems from cradle to career in Marin County 

  In Marin County, California, more than 100 community, organizational, philanthropic and governmental leaders are changing systems to ensure every child in the county achieves their full potential. This work is facilitated by StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network member Marin Promise Partnership.    In a recent assessment, Marin Promise Partnership earned the Systems Change designation along…