Ode to Fran: SMJ's Origin
From abuse, to domestic violence shelters and bagel shops. The story of a resilient woman breaking cycles of poverty for the safety of her family and community.
Surviving the One Big Beautiful Bill
Tips and resources to endure the decline of welfare systems in America.
Read More →From Laundry Baskets to Law School
How a young girl traversed poverty to fight the criminal justice system.
Read More →Brooklyn's Gentrification Crisis
Housing, transportation, and livable income: avoiding displacement.
Read More →
I Inheritted Hurt, but Chose Healing
Antonia's psychological and personal perspective on healing intergenerational trauma.
Read More →Articles
Ode to Fran: SMJ's Origin
From abuse, to domestic violence shelters and bagel shops. The story of a resilient woman breaking cycles of poverty for the safety of her family and community.
Read Story →Surviving the One Big Beautiful Bill
Tips and resources to endure the decline of welfare systems in America.
Read Story →From Laundry Baskets to Law School
How a young girl traversed poverty to fight the criminal justice system.
Read Story →Brooklyn's Gentrification Crisis
Housing, transportation, and livable income: avoiding displacement.
Read Story →I Inheritted Hurt, but Chose Healing
Antonia's psychological and personal perspective on healing intergenerational trauma.
Read Story →Resources
Internships, Jobs, and Networking
Strategies for finding opportunities and building professional relationships.
Entrepreneurship
Step-by-step guides to starting and growing your own business.
Our Mission
Millions of American children inherit poverty and abuse but lack the platform to share their stories. The Social Mobility Journal (SMJ) is a forum for resilient youth to narrate their lived experiences in poverty and heal. We conduct research on the state of homelessness and wealth disparity in the United States, partnering with homeless service providers throughout New York City. At SMJ, we journal together, build resources together, and uplift the resilience of impoverished youth to combat economic oppression, one story at a time.
Our Team
Toni LaBarbara
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Quantitative researcher, adjunct professor of data analytics & storytelling, graduate student at Stanford University.
DeSapio LaBarbara
Director of Community Outreach
Human outreach with years of professional exerience in NYC shelter systems and nonprofit spaces.
Dr. Bryce Johnson
Board Director
Seasoned nonprofit leader, dedicated to connecting youth with mentorship and innovation. Professor, engineer, and mentor at Out for Undergrad.
Carolyn Agro Buonocore
Board Member
Manager at Volunteers for America, one of the nation's largest service providers for homeless populations. Former manager and contributor at Forbes.
Ode to Fran: SMJ's Origin
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Financial Literacy 101
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Networking Strategies
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From Refugee to CEO
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Community Builders
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Against All Odds
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Contact Us
Advertising Opportunities
The Social Mobility Journal offers unique advertising opportunities to reach our engaged audience of professionals, students, and community leaders.
Advertising Options
- Display Ads: Banner placements throughout the journal
- Sponsored Content: Native articles that align with our mission
- Newsletter Sponsorships: Reach our subscribers directly
- Event Partnerships: Co-hosted webinars and workshops
Our Audience
Our readers are primarily:
- Professionals seeking career advancement
- Students navigating educational pathways
- Community leaders and organizers
- Individuals passionate about social mobility
For rates and availability, please contact our advertising team at ads@socialmobilityjournal.com or call (555) 987-6543.