When most programs talk about supporting families, they usually focus on just one piece of the puzzle, either the parents or the children. But life doesn’t work that way. A parent’s stress spills into a child’s classroom. A child’s struggles in school ripple back home. That is why Campaign for Working Families’ Rise and Shine Program takes a Two-Generation (2Gen) approach: helping parents and children at the same time.
What does that look like in real life? Imagine a mom who is behind on rent, worried about eviction. Without stable housing, her children may have to switch schools midyear, leaving friends and falling behind academically. Through Rise and Shine, she can get support to secure housing and connect her kids with the educational tools they need to thrive. Stability for her means stability for them.
Or think about a dad working two jobs, exhausted but still unable to get ahead financially. Rise and Shine steps in with financial literacy coaching and resource connections, while also making sure his kids have access to school support. He learns to manage his money and build savings. His children, seeing the shift at home, gain consistency and confidence in school. Everyone rises together.
This 2Gen approach is powerful because it acknowledges that families are connected systems, not separate individuals. When you strengthen one link, the whole chain becomes stronger. When you support parents and children side by side, you do not just solve today’s crisis, you set the stage for long-term resilience and success.
At its core, Rise and Shine is about rewriting the story for families: fewer unplanned moves, less disruption, more opportunities, and brighter futures.
Find out if you qualify by sending an email to getinfo@cwfphilly.org!
