The Climb Out of Poverty Doesn’t Happen Alone
The Mountain Model is clear and actionable. But no model works without people—neighbors, leaders, employers, educators, policymakers—stepping in to help others climb.
Your role matters because:
- Poverty is not a lack of character; it’s a lack of choice.
- Mobility requires relationships, opportunity, and guidance.
- Whole communities benefit when more people reach stability and prosperity.
- Change happens when people commit to a shared model and take the next right step.
These four engagement paths provide a clear way to contribute, aligned with your influence and context.
The Four Pathways
Path 1: Personal
Help Your Neighbor
Who walks this path: Concerned citizens, early readers, donors, people asking “What can I do?”
You don’t need to work in policy or run a program to make a difference. You can start right where you are, with one person, one relationship, one act of clarity or support.
- A simple guide to understanding poverty differently
- Practical steps for helping someone navigate barriers
- Tools for building dignity-centered relationships
- Ways to connect with local allies and community leaders
Path 2: Organizational
Grow Your Navigational Capacity
Who walks this path: Nonprofits, churches, workforce programs, adult-ed orgs, social enterprises.
Organizations play a critical role in helping people climb toward mobility, but only when they have the right clarity and relational infrastructure.
This path helps your organization:
- Integrate the Mountain Model into your services
- Build Navigation teams and practices
- Strengthen coaching, mentoring, and relational support
- Improve mobility outcomes with research-aligned strategies
- Access workshops and training led by Jason and Steve
Path 3: Community
Form an Alliance
Who walks this path: City leaders, coalitions, philanthropists, cross-sector networks.
Communities thrive when public, private, philanthropic, and faith leaders unite around a shared model for helping neighbors climb out of poverty.
This path includes:
- Guidance for launching a community alliance
- Best practices for cross-sector collaboration
- Case studies of successful community models
- Tools for aligning priorities across organizations
- Facilitation and strategy support from Jason & Steve
Path 4: Systemic
Change the National Conversation
Who walks this path: Policymakers, funders, policy advisors, influencers, system architects.
Lasting mobility requires systems that expand choice, dignity, opportunity, and work pathways. This path supports leaders responsible for shaping policy, funding, and national narratives.
This path helps you:
- Understand the deeper causes of poverty
- Apply a depolarizing, evidence-aligned framework
- Build policy approaches that support mobility and agency
- Access briefs, research insights, and strategic guidance
- Engage with Steve and Jason on policy, research, and messaging work