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Join the Conversation. Inspire Action. Create Change.Tuesday, November 17, 2026
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College
4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Poverty in America is changing—and so must our response.
Join community leaders, advocates, service providers, business professionals, policymakers, educators, philanthropists, and engaged residents for From Poverty to Possibilities 2026, United Way of Pierce County's annual community conversation focused on understanding the realities of poverty and advancing solutions that create pathways to stability and opportunity.
This year's keynote speaker, Brian Goldstone, is the acclaimed author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. Through powerful storytelling and extensive reporting, Goldstone shines a light on one of the fastest-growing and least understood crises in America: working families experiencing homelessness despite holding jobs, pursuing education, and doing everything they can to make ends meet.
His work challenges common assumptions about poverty and homelessness while highlighting the systemic barriers that keep families trapped in cycles of housing instability.
What We'll Explore
Together, we will examine:
The changing face of poverty and housing insecurity in America
The challenges facing ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households
The impact of rising housing costs on working families
Community-driven solutions that create lasting change
Opportunities for collective action in Pierce County
Whether you work in business, education, government, healthcare, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector, this event will leave you with a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our neighbors—and a renewed sense of possibility for what we can achieve together.
Registration
Early Bird Registration: $35
Available July through September
Regular Registration: $50
Beginning October 1
If the registration fee creates a financial hardship, please contact us at [email protected] or 253.272.4263. This event is made possible through sponsorship support, and all ticket proceeds help United Way of Pierce County support ALICE families in our community.
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Event venue
McGavick Conference Center, ChargePoint, Lakewood, WA 98499, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.