Our Unique Approach

At Momentum, our ultimate goal is to create contributing community members. We are not trying to alleviate poverty through short-term band-aids. We are working to reduce poverty by helping individuals move from poverty to prosperity in a sustainable way.

Building Assets in Peoples' Lives

Moving from poverty to prosperity takes more than simply getting a job. Many of our participants people are already working, but they are not making a living. Becoming a contributing member of society requires more than providing for the basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter in the short term.

At Momentum, we help people to help themselves. We do this by helping people to develop assets in their lives. Not just financial assets, but personal, social and professional assets. An asset may be a skill, an education, self-confidence or motivation, a network of support, a stable place to live, or even equity in a home or a business. Only by building assets in all of these areas are people able to become self-sufficient and stay out of poverty for good.

Through all of our programs and services, this is the underlying basis of our work. Our programs and services enable individuals to acquire the skills, assets and confidence to become active members of our community.

More information on Sustainable Livelihoods and Asset Building.

The Path from Poverty to Prosperity

Along the path from poverty to prosperity, participants at Momentum are transforming their lives - from basic survival to contributing community members. This is the path that our participants take:

Finding Stability

Individuals are focused on basic survival: food, clothing, and shelter.

Seeking Change

Participants begin to seek change in their own lives. They are motivated to improve their situation.

Building a Foundation

People begin to set goals for themselves. Life skills develop and confidence increases.

Building Assets

Participants upgrade their education and training, developing specific skills to increase their income.

Creating Self-Sufficiency

Individuals become economically self-sufficient, supporting themselves and their families.

Contributing to the Community

People have financial stability and become active in the community. They are contributing community members.