Poverty is cyclical. Simply keeping up with the cost of living can make rising to stable financial footing next to impossible. Breaking this cycle requires intervention and systemic change. And that starts with empathy and understanding.

The average American spends most of their money on housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare, and basic needs like food and clothing. When we examine the structures in place to finance these needs, it becomes apparent that — in most cases — the more money you have, the less expensive your needs are.

Broken systems leave room for innovation. It’s time for these systems to be reworked; reconstructed to serve the people they were designed to serve.