Help for low-wage workers
Fighting for access to the “American Dream”

Background
The Ford Foundation sought to raise public awareness about the barriers facing low-wage workers in America, and the need for government and corporate policy changes to enable this population to gain equal access to the wealth and promise of the American economy. Douglas Gould and Co. was able to provide technical assistance and communications research that uncovered the fact that many Americans still view poverty as a moral failing, and still believe that the “American dream” is attainable for those who work the hardest.

Approach
Douglas Gould and Co. adopted a multi-tiered effort to build the communications capacities of advocates who could fight on behalf of low-wage workers at the local level, and reach key corporate leaders and policymakers.

We prepared four research reports, starting with Between a Rock and a Hard Place—an analysis of how low-wage workers were covered in major news outlets. Achieving the American Dream analyzed American views of the poor, perceived causes of poverty, support for reform and work satisfaction. Responsibility and Opportunity was a qualitative research analysis on communicating low-wage work issues, based on interviews conducted with business, labor and community leaders. Responsible Planning for the Future analyzed American attitudes toward low wage work issues in a national poll of registered voters.

In addition to these reports, we developed a tool kit and PowerPoint presentation for advocates, and launched an interactive web site—www.economythatworks.net—in 2003. We are also still busy conducting training sessions with advocates who are fighting for low-wage workers and their families across the United States in 2003 and 2004.

Results
The EconomyThatWorks.org web site is one of the most comprehensive sites on the web devoted entirely to advocating on behalf of low-wage workers and their families. Over 2,400 visitors have downloaded the Between a Rock and a Hard Place media analysis report since the site launched in June 2003, and over 2,000 have accessed the online advocates' toolkit. Another report on the site, an analysis of American attitudes toward public education called Fulfilling the Promise of No Child Left Behind, has been downloaded over 2,200 times.

As a result of over 12 trainings conducted by Douglas Gould and Co. across the country in 2003 and 2004, advocates have written numerous op-eds and engaged local opinion leaders. Low-wage worker advocates have successfully used the research, media tips and story frames discussed in the Economy that Works training workshops to explain the barriers to wealth and success across the country, and advocate for a holistic approach to building an economy that works for all Americans.