Debates over welfare work requirements miss a key point: effective charity restores dignity, encourages work, and helps people move beyond dependency.

What if the most powerful force against poverty isn’t another program, but a person who cares enough to show up? This article uncovers why civil society holds the real keys to lasting change.

Government food aid should foster dignity, not dependence—linking assistance to work can restore purpose and break the cycle of relief-driven poverty.

Learn how sharing boots-on-the-ground success stories can help change destructive government policies affecting the poor.

This article argues that privately funded nonprofits must be protected from growing federal overreach, especially as recent court decisions threaten to treat tax-exempt status as government aid. It calls for support of the Safeguarding Charity Act, asserting that civil society—rooted in voluntary, relational charity—offers more lasting solutions than government programs and must remain free from burdensome regulation

As a new administration reins in government overreach, a crisis of dependency is sure to come to light. With a generation withdrawing from an over-reliance on federal relief, a unique opportunity will arise to reclaim self-governance and revive private charity. The question remains: “Will we seize this moment?” James Whitford calls us to action.

Imagine a world where former prisoners have a second chance to thrive — becoming powerful, societal contributors through steady employment. Guest contributor, Eric Cochling, shares.

Does government aid weaken community bonds of brotherhood? President Grover Cleveland believed it did. In 1887, he vetoed national aid to preserve "kindly sentiment and conduct" among Americans. Today, Missouri’s Medicaid expansion and Senate Bill 82 risk dismissing his wisdom by crowding out faith-based charities that foster true relationships and hope. James Whitford shares.

While “no-strings-attached” federal funds are alluring, watch out for seven common constraints that are hidden from view.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) new rule just expanded the Child Care & Development Block Grant. Free, low-cost childcare sounds like a significant breakthrough, but is it truly empowering families? Bethany Herron shares.

Discover the shortcomings of a top-down approach to solving homelessness and the power of community-driven compassion. A thought-provoking perspective on the limitations of government incentives and the true essence of real compassion.

The War on Poverty has not gone well--which begs the questions, 'What went wrong?' and 'What lessons can we learn?' TC's Nathan Mayo offers his thoughts on how the government's failure creates a singular window of opportunity for civil society.

Faith-based pregnancy centers face new legal challenges in Vermont. These policy shifts threaten life-affirming care and religious freedom for all of us. Bethany Herron explains.

As of September 1, if you were homeless, work requirements established in the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act no longer apply to you. They neither apply if you’re a veteran or have aged out of the foster care system and are under 24.

Think you have no part in influencing public policy? You actually could be integral in change that improves the impact of your charitable efforts. The FGA’s Scott Centorino explains how your specific experiences can influence decisions of policy leaders.

More Americans returning to work equates to less government spending on social programs, but it also restores dignity and strengthen community. James Whitford explains more about a missed opportunity in his article, originally publlished in InsideSources.

The USICH sets lofty goals for reducing homelessness by doubling down on the failed Housing First program—yet the USICH themselves have admitted that though "funding for homelessness assistance has increased every year,” the unsheltered population has grown by a staggering 20.5% nationally.

No across-the-board solutions exist for resolving homelessness. But, more granular data - specific to a community’s population vs. an entire county - can help identify common causes. TCI’s James Whitford discusses how a recent state bill can help do just that.

Housing First is intended to quickly connect people experiencing homelessness to permanent housing “without preconditions such as sobriety, treatment or service participation requirements.” Yet, it has the unfortunate result of trapping people in a cycle of dependency.

In a recent conversation, Jennifer Johnson, a former lawyer turned child care cooperative director, told me, “Many of the women (she) represented were good mothers. They loved and desired to parent their children. However, they just couldn’t figure out how to work and pay for child care.” Jennifer’s story represents similar conversations that I have had with pregnancy care center directors, child care centers and nonprofit leaders.

Will student loan forgiveness help struggling Americans or put them one more step behind? TCI's Savannah Aleckson explores the possibilities in her recent article, originally published in The American Spectator.

Is expanding food stamps benefits to include restaurants a kindness or, as FDR put it, "a subtle destroyer of the human spirit"? TCI's James Whitford explains how one state's recent legislation doing just that is a disservice to those in need.

Debate over the term ‘homeless’ versus ‘houseless’ doesn’t provide a real solution, and neither does just offering a place to live. TCI's James Whitford explains.

Believe it or not, America's most dysfunctional, misguided charity has a local chapter in almost every community across the country—often just around the corner from where you work, shop, or live. But don't be fooled: there are better ways to give.

Our attempt to provide wholesome food to needy families through SNAP does not work as we intend. Not only does it completely sidestep root causes of poverty but, in many cases, its image of delivering vital sustenance to people in need is mere illusion.

Financial knowledge is critical to escaping poverty, but research shows that most financial classes fail to change behavior. Here’s why that is, and what you can do about it.

Self-styled progressive Democrats demand that Congress pass a “human infrastructure” package that would provide funding for “free” college and preschool, alongside other social agenda items.

Could private charities and nonprofits immediately and effectively provide for the 42 million Americans who are currently support by food stamps? TCI Executive Director, James Whitford, explains his answer to this question that was asked during his recent congressional testimony.

“We must remember for every dollar spent by a SNAP recipient, the economy is stimulated by $1.50.” This was shared more than once in a recent Congressional hearing on the future of the Federal Government’s largest feeding program, SNAP. It was one of the arguments to support SNAP’s sustained expansion after the 15% increase in benefits. I was the only witness of five at the hearing who testified in opposition. After repeatedly hearing the economic stimulus justification, I asked, “Has no one heard of The Broken Window fallacy?”

The top quarter of American income earners can expect to live a decade longer than the bottom quarter. This health disparity seems downright cruel. Not only do those in poverty have to pay more for things like credit and insurance, they also pay more years to the grim reaper.

In a recent column by Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, argues that the labor shortage is unrelated to boosted unemployment benefits and that the price hikes do not necessarily follow from the wage hikes and that the real winners of these economic conditions are low-wage workers. TCI's Nathan Mayo unwraps Reich’s analysis to find that there is not much meat in his argument.

In the year following their release, only 55% of former prisoners have any wages, with the median worker earning a mere $5,900. An in-depth analysis by the Brookings Institution reveals a surprising truth: many of these problems finding and maintaining decent employment are worse in the years before they go to prison than after.

On May 26, 2021, TCI Executive Director James Whitford testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Agriculture regarding whether to expand SNAP benefits. During that hearing, Vice-Chair Alma S. Adams (D-NC) posed the question in the title of this article. James provides his response.

“We want to avoid a situation where people are unaware of what they’re entitled to,” said Vice President Harris last Monday. She was explaining the purpose of the Biden administration’s “Help is Here” tour, showcasing the third round of national stimulus legislation passed into law this month. I hope someone meets them along the way and hands off the book When Helping Hurts. This fundamental read highlights the harm done when indiscriminate charity fails to discern true need on an individual level.

The fight for the $15 minimum wage is heralded as the way for low-income workers to earn a decent living and possibly lift them out of poverty. This claim sounds reasonable, but it is founded on two unspoken assumptions — that the poor currently work and that they will continue to work once higher minimum wages take effect. Unfortunately, these two assumptions are not the reality.

Imagine for a moment this scenario: You’ve finally escaped a traumatic and abusive relationship at the hands of your husband and found refuge in a local faith-based women’s crisis shelter, which is helping you begin the long process of healing.  For the first time you can remember, you feel safe. One study shows that 92% of homeless mothers have experienced sexual and/or physical abuse...

“Researchers gave thousands of dollars to homeless people. The results defied stereotypes.” “Cash transfers help homeless to find stable housing and jobs.” “Trailblazing study gave homeless $7,500 [CAD] – and it worked.” These recent headlines and articles about a new Canadian study are a cringeworthy — and destructive — distortion of reality.

Volunteering provides ample opportunities to meaningfully connect with people, a truth I was reminded of while serving with Watered Gardens’ overnight shelter as I listened to a man share about his romantic relationship. Though he confidently shared about the relationship’s quality, I noticed some red flags, so I attempted “truth in love” -- I asked him how he knew their relationship was as healthy as he said. Immediately, his eyes glazed over and, wordlessly, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and began scrolling absentmindedly.

  James Whitford Executive Director   Versions of this article were also published by The Federalist and The Joplin Globe. Face masks are “all we’ve got right now to fight this virus, and it is up to…

  By Savannah Aleckson, published in the Joplin Globe on May 3rd, 2020   It's been a historic year already, and we're not even halfway through 2020. From the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak here in the United States, to…

I love our fight for civil society. It’s not just Joplin. Communities throughout the Midwest fight to retain hospitality and restore neighborliness while volunteers care for their community members struggling in poverty. The…

by James Whitford Our Founding Fathers said so.  The debate as to whether helping those in need should be a matter of public or private funding is not new. Few would argue, though, that helping the poor is a not a responsibility…

By James Whitford, published in the Joplin Globe on July 6th, 2018 In the afterglow of this past week’s Fourth of July celebrations, I remain grateful for those who fought to provide and protect our freedoms in this country. I’m also…

By James Whitford, published by the Hill on July 1st, 2018 After nearly two decades of service to our neighbors in need, I’ve learned an important lesson: People struggling in poverty need hope. And few things offer more hope than a job.…

By James Whitford, published in the Christian Post on June 2, 2018 At Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission, I've met many men and women who've traded the freedom of God-given work for the chains of government-sponsored welfare. Decades of…

By Marvin Olasky, published by World News Group on April 24th, 2018 James Whitford received a doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, then moved on from rehabbing bodies to rehabbing lives. Whitford and his wife, Marsha,…

By James Whitford, published on www.heritage.org, July 2017 Jon stepped into my office with a confident stride that fits his tall, lanky, middle-aged frame. Men his size often intimidate, but the ease that accompanied him brought a peace into…

  By James Whitford, published in the Joplin Globe on April 30, 2017 I was in a meeting with some people who work for a government-funded organization that helps other organizations get funded by the government. I hope that sounds strange…

By James Whitford, published in the Joplin Globe on October 23, 2016.  Early one morning, I took a seat on the steps of our mission beside an elderly lady whose words would greatly impact me.  This small-framed rapid chain-smoker sat hunched…

By James Whitford published in the Joplin Globe March 27, 2016 Recently, after hearing me share that the working poor are happier than the welfare poor, Mark got a job. I’ll never forget when he told me, the huge grin that creased his face…

After 50 years of war on poverty, it appears there must be a better solution to helping our struggling neighbors than government funded programs.  Recent data supports that people are most prosperous in economically free societies. Check…

By James Whitford published in the Joplin Globe November 8, 2015 For 10 years, I practiced wound care. I've probed, irrigated, and cut dead tissue out of the nastiest ulcers and cavities imaginable. I could share stories that would probably…

By James Whitford published in the Joplin Globe Sept 13, 2015 Last month, the Foundation for Government Accountability published a paper titled “SNAP To It: Restoring Work Requirements Will Help Solve the Food Stamp Crisis.” Crisis? Some…

Single Parent with Two Children Household and Two Parents with Two Children Household Scenarios in Cook County, City of Chicago, Lake County and St. Clair County Excerpted from Illinois Policy Institute. Written by Erik Randolph, Senior Fellow. Of…

Excerpted from "Policy Analysis" Newsletter from the CATO Institute. Written by Tad DeHaven - Originally Published August 6, 2013 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one of the largest federal programs, and it is one of the most…

Published on 8-23-14 Excerpted from the CATO Institute (www.cato.org). Written by Michael D. Tanner - Originally Published on www.nationalreview.com, August 20, 2014 In 1985, wealthy New York businessman George McDonald was moved by the…

James Whitford, Executive Director Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission - Published in The Joplin Globe, April 30, 2014   I recall a trip to Grand Rapids where mission and church leaders around the nation gathered to discuss the role…

James Whitford, Executive Director Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission - Published in The Joplin Globe, June 19, 2013   I remember meeting a man on the main road through Fond Parisien, a small community on the eastern side of Haiti.…

James Whitford, Executive Director Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission   Last week a couple of nice police officers approached me at the rescue mission to discuss a problem.  People are hanging out at the park in downtown on Main…

James Whitford, Executive Director Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission - Published in The Joplin Globe August 31, 2012   A well-dressed guy showed up at our mission who wanted to help by distributing government subsidized cell phones…

James Whitford, Executive Director Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission - Published in The Joplin Globe   I was recently contacted by the Missouri Association for Social Welfare with a request to participate in the annual point-in-time…

James Whitford, Executive Director Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission - Published in The Joplin Globe March 4, 2012 After working diligently to connect charitable organizations and churches on-line to better steward distribution of resources,…