Part 4/10:
Contrary to common perceptions that poverty is a fixed state, Gerena emphasizes that mobility is possible and often occurs within short periods. Data indicates that approximately 75% of Americans living below the poverty line will, within four years, move above it—primarily through their own efforts. However, maintaining that upward mobility remains a challenge, as about half of those who rise above the threshold eventually fall back into poverty within five years.
This instability underscores the necessity for sustained support and investment in human capital, community networks, and personal goals. Gerena advocates for a shift in investment strategies—from top-down charity to direct, targeted support that fuels individual and collective agency.