The Power of Collective Dreaming
JP President and CEO Chastity Lord reflects on the adage, “It takes a village.” It may seem cliché, she says, but it’s real. We do nothing alone.
If we are honest with ourselves, there are days when it all feels like too much and, at the same time, not enough — whether it’s the rising costs of food, gas, rent, utilities, and a growing impatience with difference. Like many of you, I am fighting against feelings of defeat, but it takes work. It requires intentionally embracing the power of community and our ability to dream together.
Many of you may be familiar with the adage, “It takes a village” — and it’s true. There’s a growing myth about the power of individualism, but like most myths, it isn’t real. We achieve nothing alone.
The strength of the collective is at the core of everything we do and believe at JP. When women succeed, moms succeed, and our communities flourish. Individual dreams are valuable, but there’s nothing as powerful as collective dreaming. With your support, JP is crafting a vision of what’s possible for every single mom and her family in their pursuit of economic mobility.
Let’s be clear: Collective dreaming isn’t just about altruism — it’s strategic. It is rooted in the deep understanding that collective dreaming has fueled every historic moment of change, whether the movements for civil rights, women’s rights, or LGBTQ+ rights. It demands that we dream not just for ourselves and those we love but for all families and everyone in between. At JP, our collective dream is simple yet audacious: A single mom should be able to afford child care, rent, and food — and have the opportunity to pursue a better life for her family by earning her degree.
Yes, there are days when it all feels like too much and not enough, but history is a powerful teacher, reminding us that the dawn always comes. History also teaches us that collective dreaming is transformative and unapologetically bold — because when women win, single moms win, and, yes, our communities win.
Let’s go!
Chastity Lord is the President and CEO of Jeremiah Program.
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