ABOUT US

At UCSC’s Blum Center, we work to alleviate poverty, reduce economic inequality, and advance economic justice. Our community-engaged research brings together community partners and stakeholders and UCSC students and faculty. We develop concrete, scalable strategies for improving the well-being of low-income individuals and families, including women and mothers, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, and minoritized students. Our research collaborations produce information and analysis that illuminates community needs and strengths, offers insight into program effectiveness, and provides tools and resources that can be used to challenge inequities and change systems. Our focal areas include poverty alleviation, fiscal equity, and food and housing security. Much of our work is with women and families.

OUR MISSION

·  To partner with community organizations and stakeholders to address the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality.

·  Demonstrate how participatory governance and effective programs and policies can alleviate economic hardship and advance social justice.

·  Engage, fund, and train the next generation of anti-poverty scholars, leaders, and advocates.

It’s not about fixing people, it’s about fixing systems. 

If you’re interested in becoming involved, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at blumcenter@ucsc.edu