Officially launching in September 2025
◦
Officially launching in September 2025 ◦
In the spring of 2025, the Shared Humanity Project adopted a singular focus:
To help communities across the U.S.
eradicate poverty in seven years or less
All other programs and services of the Shared Humanity Project have ceased, as we focus solely on helping individuals, organizations, and groups of all types to: 1.) assess the real needs in their communities; 2.) develop and implement solutions; and 3.) ensure processes are in place so future generations there experience cycles of economic stability instead of generational poverty. Learn more about what you can do here.
The initiative launches in September 2025, with the first orientations to begin in mid-September. The first cohorts will begin working together in October. Email for more information.
In 1964, the U.S. declared a
“War of Poverty.”
President Johnson took what was described as a “poverty tour,” visiting with families (such as the family to the left) and having photo ops with people who were struggling to get by. Afterward, the administration kicked off a series of welfare programs, saying that the programs would only be needed on a temporary basis, as Americans would use them to help get their footing so they cold live economically stable and independent lives.
Here’s what’s happened since:
The first of what is now more than 100 welfare programs launched in 1964. At the time, approximately 23 million Americans did not have enough income to get by without assistance. By 1973, total welfare spending rose to more than $18.6 billion and one out of six Americans needed assistance to get by.
Today, more than 60 years into the war, total welfare spending has surpassed $1.2 trillion annually and one out of four Americans need assistance to get by. More than 80 million Americans do not have economic stability.
That’s more than a 6,000% increase in spending to get far worse results than we had with no welfare spending, and that doesn’t even count the nearly $200 billion in charitable donations every year to poverty-based nonprofit organizations. There has been nothing temporary about the welfare system.
The outcomes of the War on Poverty have been minimal because traditional approaches have addressed symptoms rather than causes of poverty and because we have relied on government employees or others to do what you can do in your own communities, no matter your age, sector, or experience.
Take action in your community
Our Action Guide provides hundreds of ways that you can help — on your own or with a group — on issues such as education, health, housing, basic needs, and more.
Watch a four-part documentary about The Shared Humanity Project produced by The Public Interest Registry.