Dear friends, partners, communities, and supporters,
Five years ago, we asked a bold question: could we build a “we” that advances intergenerational well-being and equity? A “we” that connects grassroots and grasstops, helping us see the bigger picture by bringing together the pieces of the puzzle each of us hold? A “we” that proves a more just world isn’t just possible, but it can also create abundance?
We didn’t just imagine it. Together, we did it.
First, we formed the Well-being In the Nation (WIN) Network to bring our pieces together–across the global network of WE in the World and 100 Million Healthier Lives, the national Well Being Alliance, and those who had come together to build the Well-being In the Nation (WIN) Measures. The idea that we could create intergenerational change to create the conditions for thriving of people and places, the vital conditions framework, policy frameworks grew out of these conversations and efforts, led by partners across the WIN Network (WE in the World, ReThink Health, IP3, Community Initiatives, Policy Link, and many others).
Then, during the polypandemic, as injustice worsened across the nation, driven by a virus that crossed boundaries and an endemic disease of racism and inequality that had taken hold of our roots as a nation–we leaned into our “we” and created Communities RISE Together–powering changemakers who were closest to the problems to create well-being in our most disadvantaged communities. Together, we showed that we could create life, community, and abundance:
- 11,572 living-wage jobs for changemakers in communities too long left behind among in 1,009 communities.
- These changemakers restored more than 200,000 years of life in communities experiencing inequities–which they will experience as 200,000 more birthdays celebrated and millions more bedtime stories shared across generations.
- $900 million in economic benefit restored in these communities that can be better spent on schools, housing, and education–the vital conditions all our communities need to thrive–representing a 30:1 generation of abundance.
- Multiple states and 48 federal agencies began to operate differently–to go upstream and address root causes.
We are now facing an even more unprecedented time–a watershed moment in our national and global history, where systems that we have come to rely on are being dismantled and people and possibilities are arising from the ashes. Over the past nine months, we have been taking stock of this moment with many of you–in individual conversations, online during WE RISE & WIN Together Peer Exchanges and Cooperative Meetings, and in-person Better Ancestor gatherings and many other gatherings hosted by many of you.
- Shift from a network of networks to a connected movement for intergenerational well-being grounded in justice – By bringing together the WIN Network, Communities RISE Together and the WE in the World global networks into a powerful shared global, multilocal community of practice powered by us for us. We will be changing our name to WE RISE & WIN Together to reflect this. You will see this and a combined logo going forward.
- Ground in places – Across the nation and the world, many of you have stepped forward to lead in relationship with those most affected by inequities.
- Shift from solely a national focus to a global one – In this time, global connections and perspectives are offering strategies and paths forward that ground us in learning and resilience.
Together, we will:
- Amplify and strengthen solidarity, sensemaking and strategic action for safety, intergenerational well-being and equity (and safeguard against threats to this) led by many of our partners.
- Chart practical powerful change strategies to equitably advance a more just and abundant world in the context of this time.
- Engage in deep, radical re-membering, re-storying, and re-imagining about what it means to be better ancestors for the next seven generations.
by Somava Saha, WE in the World
