LIFT

LIFT-DC engages regularly with locally based social service organizations to create reciprocal partnerships in order to capitalize on the strength of existing community resources. LIFT highly values collaboration, not competition, within the sector and believes it is essential for nonprofits to work together along with for-profit industries to both move people out of poverty and permanently change the circumstances which produce poverty.

Last year, LIFT-DC received over 140 clients referred-in to LIFT from other service agencies, demonstrating the trust that local agencies have in LIFT. Correspondingly, LIFT made more than 180 quality referrals-out to other service organizations in order to connect clients to the service they needed that LIFT does not directly provide, such as trained legal aid or medical attention. This model of partnership ensures the non-duplication and efficiency of social service programs in the community and strengthens the social services infrastructure.

LIFT-DC’s location within the Perry School Community Services Center, Inc., affords it strong partnerships with Perry Center agencies, such as Perry Economic Empowerment Center and Perry Social Services. Outside of the Perry Center, LIFT-DC regularly collaborates with such referral partners as People’s Involvement Corporation, EFEC Halfway House, and Bread for the City.

The DC office actively hosts and co-sponsor events on-campus and in the community to bring community members together, to bring together expert opinions and dialogue about community issues, and to raise awareness about the issues facing low-income families in Washington, DC and the resources available to help them.