Social Capital: An innovative solution to reducing poverty

January 23, 2026

Social Capital: An innovative solution to reducing poverty

Social capital—the networks, relationships, and trust that connect individuals within a community—plays a vital role in reducing poverty among single mothers and their children.

For single mothers, strong social networks provide access to critical resources such as child care, housing, and employment opportunities and help them navigate financial and personal challenges more effectively. Social capital also fosters a sense of community and mutual support, reducing the isolation and stress often experienced by single-parent families (NASEM, 2023).

But areas with high poverty density tend to offer fewer social connections between people with high incomes and people with low incomes, which leads to low economic mobility rates for individuals living in poverty (Chetty et al., 2022). Data from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH)1 showed that children were less likely to live in a supportive neighborhood if they were living with a single parent, as compared to two parents. Additionally, Texas children within each family structure are less likely to live in supportive neighborhoods than children nationwide.

As part of its integrative service approach, Center for Transforming Lives intentionally incorporates opportunities for participants to increase and leverage social capital. Parent Cafes, parent advisory groups, financial education classes, skills-building workshops and other events offer an opportunity for connections.

“Social capital – the network of trusted relationships and community support – can be a lifeline for single mothers navigating the challenges of parenting alone,” said Vanessa Hunter, director for Clinical Counseling. “In the Counseling Center, we intentionally foster these connections, helping participants build stronger bonds that reduce isolation and support long-term resilience. I have seen firsthand how powerful social connections can be for single mothers. Having just one or two trusted people can change everything.”

Center for Transforming Lives’ new social enterprise, Riverside Coworking, was also thoughtfully designed to nurture social capital by bringing together entrepreneurs and other professionals who can support, inspire, and learn from each other. Affordable pricing, scholarships, and free child care ensure that the space is accessible to all, especially single mothers.

“Social capital is more than building friendships – it’s also about cultivating relationships and networks that can open doors and accelerate your path to success,” said Carlye Tyler, Chief Program Officer. “We are intentionally creating opportunities for networking between successful small business owners and those who are just starting out. Riverside Coworking is designed to be a platform for growth and upward mobility.”

To read more about the insights shared here, we invite you to read the full publication Disrupting Poverty and Promoting Well-Being for Single- Mother Families in Tarrant County.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). 2023. Reducing Intergenerational Poverty. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Chetty, R., Jackson, M. O., Kuchler, T., Stroebel, J., Hendren, N., Fluegge, R. B., ... & Wernerfelt, N. (2022). Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations with Economic Mobility. Nature, 608(7921), 108-121.