Building Community to Counter Poverty

Become a Story Gardener.

Cultivate community.

Counter the multiple dimensions of poverty.

Donate today!

Planted in public housing and a shelter in Brownsville in NYC, and in an old coal company town, Gamerco, in New Mexico, Story Gardens bloom with colorful, communal outdoor spaces, where children, families, and neighbors cultivate time for reading, stories, and activities that encourage discovery, highlight skills, and explore creative expression. More than 100 Story Garden sessions are conducted yearly across the three locations.

Poverty goes much deeper than income level.

Story Garden goes much deeper than children’s activities.

Story Garden builds community to counter the multidimensional aspects of poverty.

Through the end of the year, we will share stories about Story Garden countering the dimensions of poverty:

From 2016 to 2019 ATD Fourth World conducted participatory research that determined the various dimensions of poverty as identified by people who live in poverty every day.

This Multidimensional Aspects of Poverty (MAP) research project identified nine dimensions of poverty, two constants, and four aggravators:

Read more or download the whole report, Pushed to the Bottom: The Experience of Poverty in the U.S., here: https://atdfourthworld-usa.org/map

Subjugation labels people living in poverty as "those people,” which Story Garden counters by supporting the uniqueness of each individual and exemplifying how diversity enhances society.

Disadvantaged Areas reflect the idea that people "do not deserve more,” which Story Garden counters by collectively creating beauty in "crappy spaces," very visibly for all who live there.

Resources at bare minimum are denied to people living in poverty, including education which is limited and highly standardized. Story Garden counters this by creating communal and inclusive learning environments.

Work and Employment Related Hardships minimize social capital, including the availability of professional networking, which Story Garden counters by offering children role models to enrich their dreams and reveal possibilities.

Stigma and Shame of poverty is internalized by institutions, which Story Garden counters by supporting the efforts of people experiencing poverty to fulfill their hopes and aspirations for their families and communities.

Lack of Adequate Health and Well-being result from the toxic interaction of all the dimensions of poverty. Story Garden counters this by meeting, listening to, and accompanying often-ignored people who need support to access services and resources.

Unrecognized Voice and Exclusion from Participation leads people to suffer in silence and believe they don’t matter, which Story Garden counters by creating a welcoming space for everyone to be seen and heard.

Social Isolation damages the human need for community which Story Garden counters by creating a welcoming and visible space without walls or doors, where people of all ages can comfortably connect.

The Struggle is the personal effort people experiencing poverty constantly make to adapt to systems that don’t adapt to them. Story Garden counters this by creating person-centered programming that follows the lead and the needs of individuals.

Through December 31, stories of Story Garden countering the dimensions of poverty will be posted here:

atdfourthworld-usa.org/latest-news

Become a Story Gardener.

Cultivate community.

Counter the multiple dimensions of poverty.

Donate Today!

Thank you for your support!

Your gift for Story Garden will support our entire mission. Resources will be allocated where most needed to achieve the greatest impact.

Become a Story Gardener! 2025

Support Story Garden, donate today!