Serving Veterans: A new podcast on the latest developments of veteran care in America
This fall, the Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact (NNSI) at Northwestern University is launching Serving Veterans, a new podcast series that explores the veteran service landscape and the latest technologies being implemented to better serve them. Drawing from thoughtful conversations with leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs, nonprofit institutions, and NNSI’s own researchers, Serving Veterans offers insights and the latest updates on the industry you won’t find anywhere
#SocialCareSeries Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Formal Barriers to Accessing Social Services
Millions of Americans struggle to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and healthcare services each year. However, only a small fraction of those in need receive help from government and non-profit agencies. Why is this the case? Researchers at the Northwestern Network for Social Impact (NNSI) have found that the pathway from fulfilling needs to receiving assistance is not straightforward. Numerous barriers prevent individuals from accessing formal support channels—structured
#VeteranCareSeries: Military Transition & Co-Occurring Needs
Approximately 200,000 Americans leave active duty every year and begin the uneasy transition into civilian life. This shift into a familiar yet vastly different world naturally comes with several challenges, but the bigger problem is that these challenges rarely occur one at a time. Veterans frequently face overlapping difficulties in work, health, housing, and relationships—what experts call co-occurring needs. For example, an ongoing health condition can make it harder to
The Five Pillars of Social Care Infrastructure
We often think of infrastructure as physical structures that keep a society running, like highways, railways, and water pipes. However, some of the most vital systems in our lives are less noticeable. The system that connects people in need with the support they qualify for, we call this social infrastructure: Social infrastructure = systems that organize and manage complex health and human service referral systems, eligibility criteria, and financial compensation
Designing Better Health & Human Services Networks
Key Takeaways from NNSI’s June 2025 Convening in Chicago
What We Learned from Listening to People Seeking Help in America
Each year, nearly half of Americans across the nation experience material hardship—food insecurity, housing instability, or a lack of access to healthcare. Yet only a fraction of those in need ever receive help from social service agencies. What accounts for this gap? Researchers at the Northwestern Network for Social Impact (NNSI) set out to investigate by listening directly to individuals’ experiences with seeking help in America. By centering on the