The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) and Opportunity Nation share a belief that our communities are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

Did you know that volunteers contribute $150 billion each year to the economy?

In the United States, the opportunities that are open to people should never be restricted by their zip code. Yet far too often, instead of hard work, ambition and perseverance determining one’s future, the place where a person grows up can heavily influence his or her chances for success and upward mobility.

Opportunity Nation shares key stories that explore opportunity-related issues in powerful, provocative ways. Many of these articles and op-eds include new data and research on key economic, educational, social and civic factors that affect upward mobility and community well-being.

Here at LIFT we are asking: is there a question we could ask our Members that could predict the likelihood that they will be able to lift themselves out of poverty for good?

This week we focus on key economic indicators—jobs, poverty, inequality and wages. T

“Monroe is doing exactly what we need to do to replicate around this country,” said Dr. Biden. “First asking the businesses in the communities what they’re looking for, then designing a program and enrolling students.”

The Mentoring Effect, a report from Mentor: The National Mentoring Partnership, reflects the experiences and opinions of a national sample of more than 1,100 young people ages 18 to 21 who were interviewed during the summer of 2013.

During last night’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama unequivocally declared: “Opportunity is who we are.”