This podcast episode features Heather Reynolds, Managing Director of the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative and the Michael L. Smith Managing Director, Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), who shares how Notre Dame’s research has shaped policy changes—such as expanding access to high school diplomas for adults—and helped nonprofits implement programs that truly work. With more than 100 projects in 30 states, LEO’s evidence-based approach is cutting through political divides to create solutions that lift people out of poverty.We’re also joined by Tracy Kijewski-Correa, the William J. Pulte Director of the Keough School’s Pulte Institute for Global Development. She discusses how her experiences—from being a first-generation student at Notre Dame to leading post-disaster rebuilding efforts—have shaped her work in helping communities build resilience. She also explains how the Keough School’s approach to poverty extends beyond economic hardship, addressing social, psychological, and environmental challenges to foster true human flourishing.By collaborating with policymakers, local leaders, and global networks, Notre Dame is bridging the gap between poverty research and real-world impact. Listen to the full episode of Notre Dame Stories to learn how Notre Dame is driving change—and why this work matters.Show links: Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/fighting-poverty-research-helping-our-communities/) Fighting For website (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/) Fighting to improve education policies (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-to-improve-education-policies/) Notre Dame Poverty Initiative (https://strategicframework.nd.edu/initiatives/poverty-initiative/)--- Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Heather Reynolds shares her Notre Dame story 02:56 How Notre Dame can help non-profits 04:53 Why investing in evidence-based programs is so important 06:15 Heather Reynolds shares how her conviction to solve poverty at its roots stemmed from her adoption experience 09:30 Notre Dame's commitment to poverty research domestically and globally 10:53 How the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) has helped shape education policy in America 13:28 How Notre Dame works across political lines to influence policy as a means for good 14:12 How the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) helped shape the Evidence-Based Policy Act 15:20 Types of poverty research that the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) focuses on 17:33 How the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) and Notre Dame are helping combat the opioid crisis in America 19:42 How Notre Dame alum Paul Farrell has helped victims of the opioid epidemic fight pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors 22:51 The importance local partners have on research at the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) 23:54 Investing in poverty research 27:17 Tracy Kijewski-Correa shares her Notre Dame story 29:54 To build resilient communities, you have to visit on their darkest day 31:29 How Notre Dame helped victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti 34:00 Three pillars that make Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs different 36:00 Working with policymakers and investing in evidence-based policies 37:00 Scaling interventions through global partnerships to seed change 37:40 Why Notre Dame must be a leader on issues like poverty 38:27 Thinking globally but working locally is a model for success in affecting change-----Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.