Our Vision Statement:
PRI will research, advocate, collaborate, inform, support, and lead public-private efforts toward poverty reduction in Kalamazoo County by promoting education and access to economic opportunity.

Values

• Governments and businesses will work together to be responsive to the needs of the community and will provide equitable access to jobs and services for all community members.

• Effective life-long learning opportunities from birth on will be available for each individual to reach their full potential.
• Each individual will have the right to earn a living wage.
• Access to basic needs such as adequate food, clothing and shelter should be available to everyone.
• Opportunities should be available for all individual to access affordable physical and metal health care, as needed.
• Each individual will have the right to equal access to representation from elected officials.

Points of Focus Research

• PRI will engage in research and data collection to support efforts by private, public, and non-profit organizations to address issues related to poverty, including safety net, educational and targeted economic initiatives and programs. The data will be recognized as a credible source for grant applications, funding priorities, and program design.

Advocate

• PRI will actively advocate for local, state, and national legislative initiatives that impact the lives of those in poverty. We will act as an ombudsman and champion for organizations engaged in specificy poverty-based initiatives, created collaborations and networks to support, sustain and enhance activities.

Collaborate, Support, and Lead

• PRI will seek out public, private and non-profit partners and encourage focus on poverty issues, with priority focus on education and promoting economic opportunity. Where needed, PRI will offer leadership and administrative support to achieve these successful outcomes. The PRI board will model these collaborations through the sharing of information and the creation of coalitions to focus on specific areas of need.

Inform

• PRI will engage in community-wide public information campaign to increase awareness, sensitivity, empathy, and understanding of issues related to poverty and community programs dedicated to poverty, which will lead to engagement by a broad spectrum of the community through participation in, and support of, initiatives to reduce poverty and build opportunity.