Outsmarting poverty starts with working smarter
All across America, service providers are doing great work to take on poverty in all its complexity. But we still know too little about what’s working and why.
Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) helps service providers apply scientific evaluation methods to better understand and share effective poverty interventions.
At LEO, we believe rigorous research is a powerful means to an end. An end to injustice. An end to dependence. An end to poverty. And a new beginning for millions of families who are ready to thrive.
Creating Evidence
by partnering with poverty's fiercest adversaries to learn what works.
A LEO Partner on How to Build a Culture of Learning
As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of LEO, we are sharing a special "how to" series guest-authored by some of our awesome provider partners. Below, Catholic Charities Chicago shares the first of a two-part blog series on how to build a culture of learning.
Those Closest to the Problem
Whereas the term research can have a stigma for being off site—sterile even—LEO’s model proves otherwise. LEO’s dedication to listening and learning, collaborating alongside partners, and elevating each partners’ perspective with integrity and confidence are what bring about the bigger picture.
How to End Poverty: Evidence-based Impact + Centering Community
LEO managing director, Heather Reynolds, recently guested on the We Are For Good podcast and took part in a lively conversation about her experience as a nonprofit leader and how that shapes her work with LEO.
Fighting to Prevent Homelessness
Catholic Charities Chicago runs the city's Homelessness Prevention Call Center and has helped thousands of families stay off the streets. But Catholic Charities knows funding for public programs is never guaranteed, so it wanted to prove its method was cost-effective and impactful.