Students investigate long-term poverty in New York City.

Students

One in four New Yorkers can’t afford basic necessities like housing, food, and health care, according to a 2025 report published by the Poverty Tracker Research Group at Columbia University. This report reveals that the rising cost of living has pushed an additional 100,000 New Yorkers into poverty. For over a decade, New York City’s poverty rate has been twice the national average. 
In the spring of 2025, CUP Teaching Artist Violet Overn collaborated with students from Design Works High School to investigate what systemic factors contribute to long-term poverty, how these factors are interconnected, and possible solutions to long-term poverty. 
To explore this question, students talked to community members, interviewed stakeholders working on the issue, and studied drawing and photography. They gathered what they learned to create a booklet about what they learned.

Cover and spread of City of Dreams, Streets of Struggle

Check Out the Project

CUP City of Dreams 2025 DIGITAL

CUP
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/hugo-rojas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugo Rojas</a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/ana-beirne-meyer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ana Beirne-Meyer</a>

Design Works High School 
Principal: Corinth Hunter Classroom Teacher: O’sha Williams

Teaching Artist and Designer
Teaching Artist: Violet Overn Designer: <a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/andrea-wang">Andrea J. Wang</a>

Project Collaborators

<h4>Students</h4>
Ajet Djokovic, Akai Brown, Alimir Dogdurabaev, Catherine Cardoso-Dumancela, Charles Bouillon, Delin	Djokovic, Elijah Dell, Evelyn Cardoso-Dumancela, Jhamire	Cornick, Joshua Dorelus, Kailene Crews, Kayla Abraham, Kelly Anaguano Alava, Laila Clarke, Layla Clarke, Leonardo Aguayo, Morgan Chisolm, Chleo Calhoun-Glover, Nevaeh Bremby-Williams, Tiana Almonor, Trinity Blanding-Armstrong, Zahra Dawes, A'Najah Harris, Adalys Halpin, Adrian	Feng Tam, Deanna James, Deon Robert Lawson, Ethan Lopez, Faith Jennings, Frieda Lunsk, Gunnar Krynsky, Isabella Li, Jakarta	Louis, Jenna Kane, Kemora Fletcher, Lalibela Dunkley, Maximilian Gonzalez, Saffa Ellis, Stephanie	Freeman, Teona Gorbyleva, Tierra Hamilton, Xyrion Huggins, Zac James, Zhile Lei, Amber Milfort, Brianna Reyes, Calder Martin, Cooper Peerbooms, Cristal Pacheco Marin, Eli Ramdeo, Elina Pulatkhodjaeva, Emanuel Martinez, Emily Mones, Harley Rizzi, Helen Pascual, Jahzara	Morales, Jose	Perez Uvaldo, Justin Pyo, Krysette Maynard, Lola Moeller, Miracle Reynolds, Nelson Morales Jr., Nyla Patterson, Opeyemi (Obama) Obayomi, Shamir Prezzy, Ada Ul-Reim (Adaul) Vallon, Amira-Dior Traynham-Artis, Ariya Thomas, Braeden Wells,Chloe	Tatro-Faux, Daisy Salcedo, Emily Vasquez, Jai Li (Jaili)	Smith, Kaitlyn Tillery, Liana Strong, Simon Santiago, Lucia	Sottile, Phinneaus (Phin)	Somerset, Shelden St Jacques, Teiana Thomas, Zakery Smith, Zoey Scott
<h4>Special Thanks</h4>

Jessica Hurd, Assistant Director at Housing Court Answers 
Ashley Durant, Brooklyn Court Coordinator at Housing Court Answers 
Tsewang Rigzin, Senior Research Associate at the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity, Poverty Research Unit 
Sasha Ahuja, Campaign Director at New Yorkers for Equal Rights
Elizabeth Koke, Senior Director of Brand Strategy at Housing Works

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Hyperakt is a purpose-driven design and innovation studio that elevates human dignity and ignites curiosity. Since 2001, co-founders Julia Zeltser and Deroy Peraza, along with the Hyperakt team, have been partnering with change-makers moving society forward. We believe in design’s power to build a future filled with courage, optimism, and honesty.

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The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement in partnership with historically marginalized communities.

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