Donna Friedman
For more than 30 years, Donna Haig Friedman, former Director of the Center for Social Policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston, has been committed to participative research approaches to understanding poverty, its root causes, and solutions effective for the people and communities most impacted. Since 2008, she has been an Ally with ATD Fourth World, a close partner in its poverty-related research projects. As of April 2026, she will serve as a Co-Director on its US's National Leadership Team. She is the author of Parenting in Public (Columbia University Press, 2000).
How did you meet ATD Fourth World?
In 2008, Susie Devins, a long-time Volunteer Corps member, introduced my teammates and me to ATD Fourth World. Our participatory action research practices at University of Massachusetts Boston’s Center for Social Policy (CSP) took a giant leap forward when we began what became a long-standing partnership. Since 2015, when I retired from my CSP position, maintaining a strong connection with ATD Fourth World has been a high priority for me.
What do you do with ATD Fourth World?
With other Co-Directors, I am a part of the ATD Fourth World USA’s National Leadership Team. I hold primary responsibility for facilitating and leading its endeavors in fundraising, building a thriving organizational culture, and facilitating implementation of the core outcomes from a highly participative 2024-2025 Strategic Renewal Dialogues process.
Why did (and do) you decide to work with ATD Fourth World?
Some of the most meaningful aspects of my 55-year professional career are those carried out in partnership with ATD Fourth World. I feel extremely grateful to be able to maintain this profound connection, as a volunteer, during this current phase of my life journey.
What has been transformative? How have you and/or your life changed?
Having learned so much from ATD Fourth World Activists, my understandings have been deeply transformed. I see more clearly the ways in which our social policies, our institutions, our cultural norms, and our research practices can oppress, shame and blame those people and communities who are most deeply impacted by poverty. I also now know --- in my bones --- what ‘building community to counter poverty’ looks like, and how to be a teammate with other ‘community builders’ from diverse life circumstances and walks of life. On a personal level, I seek to live simply.
What have been the highlights of your work with ATD Fourth World? What are the most important projects you’ve worked on?
I have been involved in more ATD Fourth World projects than I can count. Among the most meaningful was the Multidimensional Aspects of Poverty (MAP) research that spanned 3 years (2016-2019), involved 6 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Tanzania, France, UK and USA) and 6 locations in the US (NYC, Appalachia, Boston, New Orleans, Gallup NM, Oakland, CA). I was a part of the national lead team, working alongside 4 Activists, another academic and 2 practitioners. The results of this groundbreaking knowledge building research project continue to impact the thinking and practices of human service workers, policymakers, social institutions, and communities in the USA and in international arenas.
How have you shared your work with ATD Fourth World with other people?
I share my love and commitment for ATD Fourth World in many ways. For example, for my recent milestone birthday, I invited friends and family, in lieu of another kind of present, to contribute to ATD Fourth World USA. I invite friends, family members and colleagues to ATD Fourth World events (virtual and in person). In conversations having to do with poverty and its solutions, I often share questions and insights that have emerged from my deep immersion with ATD Fourth World.
What are you looking forward to being part of next with ATD Fourth World?
I am on a learning and discovery journey with ATD Fourth World, having committed myself to being on the National Leadership Team for the next three years. I hope to bring my best self to this team effort with a goal of expanding its reach, its impacts and its presence in the United States.