What Is Systems Thinking?

Systems thinking is a way of looking at problems that helps you see the whole picture, not just one piece. Instead of asking "What happened?" it asks "Why did this happen?" and "What patterns am I seeing?"

Think about it this way: When you see a traffic jam, you could just be frustrated about the cars in front of you. Or you could ask deeper questions. Why is there always a traffic jam here at 5pm? What about the road design causes this? What beliefs about how people should get to work led to this road being built this way?

Systems thinking helps us move from quick fixes that don't last to real solutions that change things for good.

Why This Matters

• For Renters: Rent jumped 9% in one year. Many families must choose between rent and other basic needs.

• For Homebuyers: Home prices rose faster than incomes. The typical family can't afford the typical home.

• For Communities: Over 500,000 people live in areas threatened by floods, heat, and bad air.

• For Policy Makers: Climate and housing problems are connected. Solutions must address both.

• For Our Future: Houston is becoming less affordable and less safe to live in.

Three hundred Fresnans came together with a big vision—to build an economy that creates opportunity for everyone. Five years later, the results speak for themselves. Fresno DRIVE shows what is possible when communities lead, when neighbors organize, and when everyone has a seat at the table.

Why This Matters for Organizers

• Proof of Concept: Community-led initiatives can move the needle on national rankings

• Replicable Model: Multi-billion dollar community-led investment plan created by residents

• Infrastructure Focus: Neighborhood Hubs build relationships, trust, and collective power

• Long-Term Vision: Five-year timeline shows sustained commitment produces results

• Systems Change: Addressing root causes of poverty, not just symptoms

Our unique program gives food-insecure families an opportunity to access unaffordable, better-for-you alternatives that drastically curb sugar, salt and fat intake. In communities where generational chronic health conditions are the norm, the Better Box is helping thousands take positive steps toward a more nutritious and sustainable lifestyle. Behind the scenes, our Direct-to-Need model leverages over 2,000 Wellfare volunteers and aligns procurement, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution and customer experience under one umbrella, making the program incredibly efficient, transparent and cost-effective. The Better Box is a dynamic and impactful first step in our long term aim to create true food security across the United States.

It all begins with an idea.