The Supportive Parents Information Network

SPIN’s mission is to create systemic change that improves low-income families’ access to self-sufficiency.

How do we do it?

SPIN is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. We were founded in 1998 by 12 parents on public assistance who were struggling to find a way to complete their educational training instead of being forced to take low-wage, temporary jobs to satisfy welfare reform demands. In an atmosphere of respect and affection for parents and children of all backgrounds, we:

• Provide advocacy training for parents as they try to make the best use of their time on welfare to prepare for self-sufficiency
• Conduct activities that break the isolation of poverty, develop peer support, and build family communications
• Facilitate the inclusion of low-income people’s voices in civic and community affairs

A few of our accomplishments:

• We’ve grown from 12 members to 2700, and nearly 4500 children
• We’ve helped hundreds of parents reach self-sustaining employment
• We’ve trained hundreds of parents, community organization staff, and volunteers in welfare laws and regulations to better advocate for choices that help parents reach self-sufficiency
• SPIN parents have developed skills in communication, public speaking, problem-solving, and leadership
• SPIN youth have educated several thousand members of the public about the realities of living in poverty and the effect on children’s lives