Public Policy
The Public Policy program area primarily supports policy and constituency-building work that helps low-income individuals and families to attain higher standards of living. It encourages links between workforce development policies, income security, and supportive programs, which address issues of poverty among low-wage workers as well as unskilled potential workers. Although employment, workforce development, and income security issues are a principal interest, the Woods Fund also will consider proposals addressing affordable housing, public school reform, governmental accountability, and other issues deemed
important by Chicago's less-advantaged people.
With respect to the emphasis on employment related issues, the Woods Fund prefers to support policy efforts that are designed to: (1) reduce structural barriers to job opportunities, job retention, and job advancement; and (2) enable the working poor to meet their family's basic needs.
Of those who face significant barriers to employment, three particular groups are of special concern, those who:
- Encounter discrimination, exploitation, and other barriers to job opportunity, job retention, and job advancement based on race, immigration status, and gender
- Have prison records or felony convictions that make it difficult for them to enter the workforce. "Get tough" policies for youth and adults and mandatory sentencing guidelines have produced significant numbers of formerly incarcerated individuals who return to their communities and find that their penal history is a serious barrier to securing gainful employment.
- Lack basic skills and job readiness training that would allow them to enter and advance in the labor market. While most job-ready people find employment, those left behind need "hard skills" to perform jobs and "soft skills" to get and retain jobs.
What is a "Policy" Proposal?