Since 2014, The Opportunity Insights Project at Harvard University has been studying the impact of neighborhoods on resident outcomes. Key findings include:

• Rates of upward mobility vary substantially based on where children grow up.
• Growing up in a higher-mobility area has a causal effect on children’s outcomes in adulthood in proportion to childhood exposure.
• Currently, low-income families are segregated into lower-opportunity areas.
• A booming economy does not necessarily lead to increased upward mobility for local children.
• Within the same neighborhoods, different subgroups have markedly different outcomes.
  Neighborhoods affect children’s outcomes at a very granular level.

Researchers have interpreted these findings to mean that neighborhood-level placemaking can have a significant impact on a variety of outcomes related to overall wellbeing. That is The Emory belongs in the South Side of Grand Rapids – it will play a role in building a neighborhood that provides opportunities for all its residents. Our team is committed to inclusive community and economic development that promotes upward economic mobility for populations who have historically been ignored and marginalized. Our voices matter and we belong here!