Fourteen years ago,

我成為「成長之家（Growing Home ）」 這間小收容所的執行董事。

I became the executive director of a small shelter called Growing Home.

在另一個全職員工

With the help of just one other full-time staffer

和數以百計的愛心志工的幫助下，

and hundreds of caring volunteers,

我們每年提供大約三十個家庭 溫暖的床、家常飯菜

we provided about 30 families a year with warm beds, home cooked meals,

和很多照顧。

and a lot of care.

我們的資源不多但愛心滿盈。

We had few resources, but a lot of heart.

有一天，我在收容所的大廳散步，

One day I was walking down the hall of our shelter,

一位年輕女子帶著一個嬰兒 和一個蹣跚學步的孩子

and a young woman with a baby and a toddler approached

迎面而來打招呼：「帖娃！」

and greeted me, "Teva!"

我問她：「嘿！你好嗎？」

I did the, "Hey, how are you?"

那是我對認識我， 但我不認得的人的招呼方式。

that I do when I don't actually recognize someone who clearly knows me.

（笑聲）

(Laughter)

「我叫杰姬」她說，「妳還記得我嗎？

"I'm Jackie," she said, "do you remember me?

我小時候曾跟媽媽住在收容所裡。」

I was in the shelter with my mom when I was a kid."

在此刻，我想起她了。

At this point, I did remember her.

她曾是個聰明、精力充沛的青少年，

She was a smart, energetic teen,

六年前上高中一年級，

a freshman in high school just six years before,

對未來充滿希望。

full of hope for her future.

現在，她已成為母親。

Now, she was a mom herself.

在高中最後一年輟學，

She'd dropped out of high school her senior year

並在本地的大賣場工作。

and was working in the local box store.

「我還記得你的收容所 是個安全溫馨的住宿地點。」

"I remembered your shelter was a such a safe, warm place to stay,"

「所以當我和孩子們 失去家時想起了妳。」

she said, "so I thought of you when my kids and I lost our home."

我嚇壞了！

I was horrified.

我未曾想過我們的收容所

I never thought our shelter would become a rite of passage

竟成為這社區父母通過的儀式。

for parents in our community.

杰姬是貧困一代傳一代的代表，

Jackie was the face of intergenerational poverty,

但她應該不至於如此。

but she wasn't supposed to be.

我們的目標是幫家庭實現自給自足，

We aimed to help families achieve self-sufficiency,

不只提供暫時的住所 好讓他們度過艱難的時期。

not just provide a temporary place to stay during a tough time.

我們已經幫助過杰姬的家人一次。

We'd helped Jackie's family once.

她應該長大、完成學業、 找到一份好工作，

She was supposed to grow up, finish school, get a good job,

並過著幸福、穩定的生活。

and live a happy, stable life.

但她沒有。

She didn't make it.

這時我才意識到 我們的方法完全錯誤。

And that's when I realized we were getting it all wrong.

這是我們應該擔憂的， 因為在貧困中成長的壓力

And this should worry us, because the stresses of growing up in poverty

永久改變了發展中兒童的大腦連線，

permanently alter the wiring in the brains of developing children,

降低他們的韌性，

lowering their resilience and increasing their chances

發生嚴重身心問題的機會也提高了。

for a number of serious physical and emotional problems.

研究結果指出， 貧窮的孩子一開始就落後於人，

Studies tell us that kids in poverty fall behind early,

當他們四歲時，

and that by the time they're four years old,

已經比中產階級的同年齡孩童 落後了一年半。

they're already a year and a half behind their middle-class peers.

若三年級時還不會閱讀，

And when they aren't reading proficiently by third grade,

那他們念完高中的可能性 就只有六分之一。

they're six times less likely to finish high school.

他們幾乎不可能趕上。

It's almost impossible for them to catch up.

讓我們再看看杰姬的案例，

Now, think of Jackie again,

並想像有 1600 萬個杰姬，

and multiply Jackie by 16 million,

因為現在美國有 1600 萬個孩子生活在貧困中。

because right now, we're failing the 16 million children

包括在科羅拉多州的十九萬名孩童。

living in poverty in the U.S. today,

這些孩子可以坐滿兩個半的 「哩高球場 （Mile High Stadium）」。

including 190,000 kids right here in Colorado.

那天我理解到：失敗的不是杰姬，

That's enough kids to fill Mile High Stadium two and a half times.

是我們。

What I realized that day is that Jackie isn't the failure,

我國每年投入 超過一兆美元來消除貧困，

we are.

也有世上最完善的非營利組織之一，

We spend over a trillion dollars each year on poverty in this country

但我們的貧困率 卻比大多數發達國家高得多，

and have one of the most robust non-profit sectors in the world,

而且是我們最大的競爭對手 ── 中國── 的兩倍。

and yet our poverty rate is far higher than most of the developed world

我相信主要有三個面向的錯誤：

and is more than double that of our biggest global competitor, China.

第一，我們把扶貧工作 降到留給心靈工作者的層級，

I believe there are three main ways we're getting things wrong.

像是德蕾莎修女、慈善機構和教會。

First, we've relegated poverty work to the realm of the heart,

心靈絕對是必要的，

to the Mother Teresas, to the do-gooders, to the charities and the churches.

但我的重點是把扶貧工作留在那層面

And heart is absolutely essential, but my beef with leaving poverty there

會忽視了有待解決的貧困問題的

is that it's dismissive of the seriousness and the complexity

嚴重性和複雜性。

of the problem we are trying to address.

（掌聲）

(Applause)

（歡呼）

(Cheers)

不論我們提供多少食物或溫暖的床，

No matter how many cans of soup or warm beds we provide,

沒有用心思考就無法消除貧窮。

we will not solve poverty without our brains as well.

我們太常把焦點放在人們立即的需要，

Too often we focus on the immediate human needs

而無視問題的根源。

without addressing the issues that create them.

這就像把為盲人設立更多診所，

It would be like responding to the diabetes epidemic

當成解決糖尿病問題的方法。

by setting up more clinics for the blind.

再來，我們得停止將脫貧的重擔

Next, we need to stop placing the burden of escaping poverty

放在窮人身上，

on the individuals experiencing it

並打破使他們困在貧窮裡的系統。

and start breaking down the crushing systems that keep people there.

（掌聲）

(Applause)

（歡呼）

(Cheers)

像我們嘗試透過「自給自足」專案 來幫助人們擺脫貧困，

Like when we try to help people escape poverty by achieving "self-sufficiency,"

事實上我們遇到的 是一個結構性問題。

when in fact what we have is a structural problem.

我們的經濟中有太多 工資不足以過活的工作。

There are far too many jobs in our economy that just don't pay a living wage.

想必我們需要這些工作， 所以讓我們設法來改造它，

Presumably we need all these jobs, so let's think of a way to structure it

使全職或超時工作的家長

so that parents who are working full time or more

賺夠錢來養活他們的家人。

earn enough to support their families.

（掌聲）

(Applause)

我永遠不會忘記那位生了三胞胎後

I'll never forget the mom who came into our shelter

來我們收容所尋求幫助的母親。

after giving birth to triplets.

她兩週大的早產兒還在加護病房，

Her two-week-old preemies were still in intensive care,

而那位母親已經回到速食店工作了。

and she was already back at work at the fast food restaurant.

因為她賺的錢不夠支付生活費，

Because she wasn't paid a minimum wage- a living wage, rather,

同時因為她住院的時候沒有薪資，

and because she didn't get paid

她失去了她的房子，

for that month she'd spent in the hospital,

現在她得超時工作，

she'd lost her home,

希望能負擔得起一個住所 帶她的孩子回家。

and now she was working overtime

每晚工作結束後， 她搭了兩小時的巴士，

to try to get a place to bring home her children.

去探望她在加護病房的嬰兒。

Each night after work, she spent two hours on the bus

有一天她哭了，因為護士責罵她

to go and visit her babies in intensive care.

沒有用足夠的時間跟嬰兒相處。

One day she was crying because the nurse had chided her

而我們的方法 有源自信念的兩個錯誤。

for not spending enough time with them.

這種貧窮不會總是在我們身邊。

And these two flaws in our methodology stem from a flaw in our belief.

這不是已開發國家的常態。

This kind of poverty will not always be with us.

我們能終結它。

It is not the norm throughout the developed world.

所以杰姬回來的那天

We can end it.

我開始重新思考

So that day when Jackie came back, I went back to the drawing board

我們可以採取什麼行動來終結貧窮。

and I began to think about what we could do to actually solve poverty.

我們只是一個美國某個小地方的 小型非營利機構。

We're just one non-profit in one small corner of the country,

但我保證來日會做得更好，

but I pledged that day to do better,

我們與家人一起研究，

and to work with our families to identify and overcome

以確認並克服他們 所面對的不可能的障礙。

the impossible barriers that they're up against.

新興的思想是：

The emerging thinking

孩子們的成長環境十分重要。

is that the ecosystem in which kids grow up matters.

哈佛的一項新研究顯示

A new study from Harvard, in fact, shows a causal relationship

孩童的成長區域

between the county you live in as a kid

與成年後收入的關係。

and your future earnings as an adult.

他們甚至能將兒時居住的區域、年數

They've even been able to monetize a positive or a negative effect

對成年後的收入影響貨幣量化。

for each year you live in a given county as a child.

因為我們無法將所有 住在貧窮社區的孩子

Since we can't just take all the kids in our poor community

移居到更富裕的區域，

and move them to more affluent counties,

所以我們的目標是 影響他們住的地方。

our goal is to impact the place in which they live.

我們的目標是幫助到至少 60%

We aim to reach at least 60 per cent of the families with young children

社區內有孩童的家庭。

in our community.

想想改變如何發生。

Think about how change happens.

我們是社會的動物， 社交網路促使我們前進，

We are social creatures urged towards progress by our social networks,

就像智慧型手機是新產品時那樣，

like when smartphones were new.

除了早期採用者以外 我們其他人一開始都抵制，

Those of us who were anything but early-adopters resisted at first.

一旦我們多數的親友採用了， 我們也跟進。

But when a solid majority of our friends and family had them, we went along.

我在想：「天哪！如果 像我爸爸這樣子打字的人都......

I was like, "Jeez, if my dad, who types like this...

（笑聲）

(Laughter)

能用，我肯定也行。」

can manage one, surely I can."

（笑聲）

(Laughter)

這是我們試圖達到的臨界點。

That's the tipping point we're trying to reach.

所以，2014 年夏天 在丹佛市郊區這裡，

So, right here in suburban Denver in the summer of 2014,

我們把努力的方向 從授權予個人轉移到整個社區，

we shifted our efforts toward empowering one entire neighborhood,

不是幫助這一家、那一家，

and rather than helping families here or there,

而是改變整個社區。

our goal is to transform the entire community.

我們把這個 20×20 的街區 稱作「希望社區」

We call this 20-by-20 block area our "Blocks of Hope Community."

與其僅僅提供直接的服務，

Rather than merely providing direct services,

我們的目標是通過改革 制度和政策讓社區更公平。

we aim to build equity in our community by reforming systems and policies.

我們開始挨家挨戶拜訪，

We began by going door-to-door,

詢問社區成員對社區的看法

to ask members of the community how they saw their community

並找出他們的需求。

and to find out what help, if any, they needed.

因為當你伸手接觸社區的成員

Because when you reach out to members of the community

並邀請他們加入工作，

and you invite them to be a part of the process,

「為人做事」嘎然而止，

it stops being about doing things for people,

「與人做事」將取而代之。

and it becomes about doing things with people.

（掌聲）

(Applause)

為何要這麼做？

Why do this?

因為這是一個消除 系統性貧困的小規模方法。

Because it's a small scale approach to ending systemic poverty.

我們利用幾個關鍵策略 來發揮最大的影響力。

We utilize a couple of key strategies to maximize our impact.

首先是兒童早期干預。

The first is early childhood intervention.

我們知道若能讓孩子 預備好讀幼兒園，

We know that if we can prepare a child to learn in kindergarten

並讓他們讀完三年級，

and keep them on the path through third grade,

他們將走上成功的道路。

that they will be on the path to success.

經濟學家說，現在我們每投資一元，

Economists say that for every dollar we invest here,

將在未來節省七元的公共支出。

we're saving about seven dollars in future public spending.

我們也用處理兩個世代的的方法，

We also use a dual-generation approach,

不僅解決兒童的需求，

addressing not only the needs of the children,

也幫父母達成目標。

but the goals of the parents as well.

無論是要回學校唸書、 以移民身份的就業，

Whether it be going back to school, or working on their immigration status,

或是加入工會，

or joining a union,

當孩子和家長都看見 彼此正為各自的目標努力。

when kids and parents see each other working on their goals,

雙方都會得到鼓舞。

the inspiration flows both ways.

我們看到他們努力的大成果。

And we're seeing great results.

在首年，我們幫助的家庭

In the first year, we were able to reach about a third of the families we need

占要達到 60％ 臨界量的三分之一。

to reach that 60 per cent critical mass.

父母表現出更好的教養能力、

Parents are showing improved parenting skills,

更多對學校的參與，

increased parent participation in schools,

家庭也更穩定。

and better family stability.

超過 90％ 我們服務的家庭

Over 90 per cent of the families we served

在技能和知識方面有可衡量的改善，

showed a measurable improvement in skills and knowledge

將會使他們孩子的未來更美好。

that we know will result in better outcomes for their kids long term.

（掌聲）

(Applause)

第二步，我們將參與家庭增加了一倍，

Two: we doubled the number of participating families

我們開始看到鄰里層面的改變。

and we began to see neighborhood-level shifts.

父母晚上去學校參加育兒班，

Parents are going to the school in the evening to take parenting classes,

當他們必須加班時 會照顧彼此的孩子。

they're taking care of each other's kids when they have to work overtime,

晚上回校上課已成為社區事務。

back-to-school night has become a neighborhood affair.

一群媽媽在公寓裡建了遊樂場，

One group of moms got a playground built in their apartment building

並為承租戶爭取他們必要的保護。

and are fighting for needed renter protections.

其他家長正與民選官員會面，

Other parents are meeting with elected officials

倡導維護和建設 可負擔住宅的迫切需要。

to advocate for the critical need to preserve and build affordable housing.

（掌聲）

(Applause)

這個社區有一個新的所有權感，

There's a new sense of ownership in this community,

而我們更拭目以待達成那 60% 目標飽和度後會怎樣。

and we're even more excited to see what happens

如果我們繼續執行這項策略，

when we reach our target saturation.

我相信我們將與這個 丹佛西北部的社區

If we continue on this trajectory,

營造出長久的改變。

I'm confident we'll make a lasting change with and for this community

但我們需要解決「全國」的貧困問題，

in Northwest Denver.

而我們做得到。

But we need to solve poverty nationally,

如同我們已經取得的其他歷史成就，

and we can.

我們辦得到。

We can do this the way we've achieved other historic accomplishments.

當我們治療小兒麻痺症 或是讓人登上月球時，

When we set out to cure polio or put a man on the moon,

我們由訂下大膽的目標開始，

we started by setting an audacious goal,

承諾經歷漫長的試錯過程，

and committing to a long process of trial and error,

為這個問題提供資源和研究，

dedicating resources and research to the problem

並利用我們的專業人才。

and utilizing our experts.

為這個問題，我們可以再次這樣做。

We can do this again for this problem.

我們必須承諾不允許 這個循環延續下去，

We must pledge that we will not allow this cycle to continue,

這不是世界最大經濟體的正常現象。

not in the biggest economy the world has ever known.

我們都有一個任務，

We all have a role to play, not just non-profits and churches,

不只是非營利組織和教會，

but businesses and government too.

也包括企業和政府。

Poverty is a complicated problem with a complicated history,

貧窮是具有糾結歷史的複雜問題，

impacted by complicated systems, and so it's easy to get overwhelmed

受複雜的系統影響。

and just go back to doing what we've always done

情況很容易就使人不知所措，

or worse yet, do nothing at all.

如果我們只是延續舊習，

Let's acknowledge these tough truths and move forward.

或是更糟── 什麼都不做。

Let's stop blaming Jackie for being born poor,

讓我們承認這些 艱難的事實並向前邁進。

for growing up poor, and ending up poor as though it's somehow her fault.

讓我們停止責怪杰姬

(Applause) (Cheers)

生於貧困、長於貧困，

Instead, let's look at the systemic underpinnings of inequity

最後也成為窮困的人， 彷彿這是她的錯。

that perpetuate cycles of poverty.

（掌聲）（歡呼）

Let's commit our hearts and our heads to solving this as a nation,

相反的，讓我們看看使不平等循環 持續下去的系統性基礎。

and not just in 20-square-block areas.

讓我們全國人民 用心和頭腦去解決這個問題，

And let's invite the experts to the table,

不只在 20x20 的小社區。

in this case, members of the communities that are impacted.

讓我們邀請專家來參與討論，

We set out as one small non-profit to end poverty in our community.

也就是那些受影響的社區成員。

Let's commit our vast resources to creating a tipping point as a nation,

作為一個小型非營利組織， 我們的任務是在社區中結束貧困。

so that we can stop treating the symptoms of poverty

讓我們用龐大的資源 來創造國家的臨界點，

and end it once and for all.

不再只是治療貧窮的症狀，

(Applause) (Cheers)

而是永遠終結貧窮的問題。