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Two-generation (2Gen) approaches are paving pathways for children and their families to reach their full potential together. This monthly newsletter highlights 2Gen practice and policy breakthroughs to cultivate innovation, collaborate within and outside your organization, and improve outcomes for whole families.
A Letter from Anne Mosle
When the world is chaotic, people seek leaders who have clear vision, courage, and think first of the greater good. Wise leaders in turbulent times lean on their values to be a shining light when a direction seems murky.
At Ascend, we are doubling down on our tried-and-true values. We believe that creating well-being for families, that building a world where children and the adults in their lives can thrive together, requires an unshakable foundation of fairness. Ascend will maintain our open, supportive, and welcoming community for the Ascend Fellows, Network Partners, Parent Advisors, policy and philanthropic partners that we work with and with whom we share purpose (and passion).
We know that together, we go farther.
We want to gather up the extensive Change Capital we, as a movement, have amassed and use it to overcome the many challenges we face.
We have deep intellectual capital that offers groundbreaking solutions that make a difference and can “move the needle” on family health and economic well-being and garner bipartisan support.
We have human capital represented by a deep bench of leaders at every level of society who see beyond barriers to opportunities in the political dynamics currently at play.
Over the last 10 years, we have prioritized convening leaders to collaborate and co-create a deep reservoir of social capital that translates into trusted relationships that are necessary to advance effective policy innovation and systems change that are informed by lived expertise, science, and data.
As you will see in the upcoming launch of our "The 2Gen Investment Case: Making the Most of Capital in all Its Forms” report, together, the 2Gen community unlocked more than $500M in financial capital for solutions that break intergenerational poverty and expand the middle class.
No one knows exactly what will unfold next in this political landscape, but we do know that leaders in communities, those on the ground at the state and local levels, are showing us a way forward to work together with and for families. Let’s follow their lead and rise above distracting rhetoric and political games.
Our commitment to you, our Ascend community, is to continue doing what we know works:
- Uplifting proven solutions and 2Gen-inspired and -informed approaches from the local and state leaders working tirelessly for and with families.
- Expanding access to resources wherever possible that build community bridges, create new innovations in funding, and change policies and systems to work better for more people.
- Deepen the leadership pipeline by curating a growing ecosystem of tightly-connected Ascend Fellows and investing in and convening leaders like you to connect, reflect, and co-create a new way forward for and with families.
Our hope is that together we can act with courage and clarity to enact solutions that will allow families to thrive. No better time than now to show up strong and well.
Ascending Together,
Anne Mosle
Vice President, the Aspen Institute
Executive Director & Founder, Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Co-Founder, Aspen Forum on Women & Girls
Upcoming Webinars & Convenings
Ascend at the Aspen Institute fosters dialogue with communities from across the country to build connections, learn from one another, and document promising practices for whole-family well-being.
Building Trust in Turbulent Times
Thursday, February 25th
4:00 - 5:00 pm ET (1:00 - 2:00 pm PT)
How can we foster the right conditions between people and policymakers to allow for the co-creation of solutions that build intergenerational well-being?
In an era of declining trust, leaders following their “North Star” - their convictions and values - have a real opportunity to establish trust in order to deliver for families and children. But values are being tested. Avoiding political and culture wars is a daily challenge for many leaders aiming to create real change. Figuring out how to stay true to their guiding principles while healing and bridging polarization is critical to finding new solutions for families.
Join Anne Mosle, Vice President at the Aspen Institute and Founder and Executive Director of Ascend, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Vice President of Communications Allyn Brooks-LaSure in exploring how leaders can build critical trust for radical and impactful collaboration and heal divides by living their values out loud - especially when they are challenged.
This is our third webinar in the monthly Moving Forward with Families series, which aim to support leaders across philanthropy, systems, policy, and communities to position data and best practice in ways that build trust and strengthen policies and systems change for intergenerational prosperity. Keep an eye out for our March webinar in next month’s newsletter.
Thriving Together: Actionable Insights from New Data on Economic Mobility
Wednesday, February 19th
3:00 - 4:00 pm ET (12:00 - 1:00 pm PT)
Join the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) as Opportunity Insights presents key findings on economic mobility and introduce their innovative data tool, the Opportunity Atlas, that shows how opportunity varies across United States and how it is changing in recent years. Partners in King County will share how they are collaborating to build community power and drive community-led solutions.
2Gen Stories & Accomplishments
Check out these new stories to inspire and advance how you partner with families.
How Jeremiah Program Serves Single MomsJeremiah Program, an Ascend Network and 2Gen Accelerator Community Partner, ensures access to stable housing, affordable child care, and educational opportunities for mothers and their children. Learn more about their model in this Women's Press story. |
A Food Truck with a Unique PurposeA new food truck in Lowell, MA run by UTEC, an Ascend Network and 2Gen Accelerator Community Partner, is combining job training with food justice efforts for young adults to build their skills and earn a living while giving back to the communities that support them. Listen to WBUR's Morning Edition segment. |
Philanthropic Partnership Aims to Expand Access to High-Quality Child CareThe Investing in America Child Care Partnership, an initiative by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and The Kresge Foundation, is fortifying child care systems and increasing access to high-quality, affordable care in communities with a substantial number of members employed in manufacturing. Learn more in this Early Learning Nation story. |
Improving Economic Well-Being for Households with Children with DisabilitiesIn this episode of the Poverty Research and Policy Podcast, scientist Molly Costanzo shares her research on the economic well-being for households with children with disabilities as well as recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to improve their quality of life. |
Recent Research & Reports
Our 2Gen Resource Library has hundreds of free and evidence-informed materials to advance your 2Gen work. Read these new resources authored by Ascend staff, Ascend Fellows, and partners about building whole family well-being.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of All Our Kin's Technical Assistance
A new report from Child Trends highlights the effectiveness of Technical Assistance in strengthening family child care networks. Through strategic partnership with organizations across the nation, All Our Kin is building strong, educator-focused networks that are transforming communities and the child care landscape.
Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Struggles of Student Parents and Housing Insecurity
Generation Hope's latest report uncovers the profound impact of housing insecurity on academic achievement, economic opportunity, and mental health for both student parents and their children.
A Novel, Multigenerational Model to Reduce Maternal and Infant Health Disparities
According to a study published in NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, women who were cared for by the MedStar Health D.C. Safe Babies Safe Moms program have better outcomes in pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Additionally, the study showed that Black patients cared for by the program were also less likely to have low or very low birthweight babies or preterm birth than Black or White patients who received prenatal care elsewhere.
Contribute to the 2Gen Movement
Embedding family voice and community input are core to making a 2Gen approach relevant, accessible, and effective. Help us learn from your work and elevate your community's expertise on a national level.
The Aspen Institute Ascend Network is a community of more than 600 organizations from across the US and beyond that uses 2Gen approaches in their work so that children and families can reach their full potential. The Ascend Network connects leaders from across sectors with diverse areas of expertise so that we build relationships, spark connections, and co-create innovative solutions that lead to better outcomes for families. If your organization isn't already in the Network, take a 15-minute survey to join.
Thank you for all the work you do to improve outcomes for children and their families.
Best,
Sarah Haight
Director, 2Gen Practice
Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Stephanie Brueck-Cassoli
Senior Program Manager,
Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Jordan Colvin
Program Associate, 2Gen Practice
Ascend at the Aspen Institute
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