Directed by LBJ School of Public Affairs doctoral student and former Ray Marshall Center graduate research assistant Christina N. Caramanis, 2G: Raising Families out of Poverty in the 21st Century follows the nascent efforts of community leaders, policy makers, and academics across disciplinary lines putting together a vision for antipoverty policy and programs that focus on the real needs of today’s American family. Highlighting the struggles of Austin’s large Spanish-speaking immigrant demographic, Margarita Guerrero Guerrero gives a firsthand account of the daily challenges she faces raising five children in a cramped two-bedroom house in South Austin. Margarita dreams of one day gaining the skills needed to get a high-paying job to support her family. Meanwhile, Ray Marshall Center Senior Research Scientist Dr. Chris King and Austin ISD Early Childhood Director Dr. Jacquie Porter take us through both national and local 2Gen efforts currently underway.
The aim of the short video is to spread the word—from politicians and policymakers all the way down to single mothers working paycheck to paycheck with little hope for a way out—that there is a better way to start rebuilding the dream and fulfilling the promise of a better for our children and families, an approach that simultaneously addresses the needs of both children and their parents. You can view the video below or by going here.
