Catapult was founded on a few basic truths:
- Poverty is about much more than money.
- Financial education is about much more than knowledge.
- Economic self-sufficiency begins with healing.
At the heart of our work are the core principles that guide how we support the hundreds of individuals and families who come through our doors in search of economic stability.
Our approach is rooted in empathy, something our President and CEO, Tammy Thompson, understands on a deeply personal level.
“The first trauma I remember is being snatched out of my mother’s arms [by Allegheny County Human Services],” Tammy shares. “I was never the same after that. Neither was my family.”
That moment, along with many others shaped by poverty, influenced how Tammy viewed herself and what she believed she deserved. It contributed to what she calls a “poverty mindset.”
“Poverty is not just a lack of money. It quietly seeps into how you see yourself and what you believe is possible for your life,” she explains. “It took years to overcome those mental barriers. That’s why, at Catapult, we focus not only on providing support and resources but also on helping people shift their mindset. We meet people where they are, but we don’t let them stay there.”
Catapult’s culturally competent, trauma-informed model acknowledges the weight people carry—generational trauma, systemic barriers, and personal loss. We help individuals unlearn the false narratives they’ve been told about their worth, because healing begins with being seen and heard. From there, real transformation can begin.
“A trauma-informed approach recognizes widespread trauma in individuals, especially those seeking support services. The approach creates a safe environment and allows for empowerment in the healing process.
Being culturally competent involves understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and acknowledging how culture influences our experience of trauma.”
“Exposure to poverty has a tremendous impact on financial and non-financial decision-making, and just the way that you exist,” explained Jodi Salant, Catapult’s Chief Development Officer. “It’s why we avoid deficit-based terms like ‘financial literacy’ and instead use empowering language that reflects dignity, agency, and the reality of our clients’ lived experiences — because language shapes our perception. And for 99% of the people that we work with, it’s not a lack of knowledge — it’s the other stuff that makes it so challenging.”
That “other stuff” can look like a scarcity mindset. Think: hoarding groceries because you never had enough to eat growing up. It can also look like systems that unintentionally reinforce economic trauma. Think: needless red tape and requirements for financial assistance programs.
At Catapult, we are dedicated to redefining how individuals and institutions understand poverty — not as a lack of money, but as a deeply ingrained psychological experience.
“One of the things that I learned about going through this with folks is how much shame there is, and how much people blame themselves for these situations that are, by design, keeping them in the positions that they’re in,” said Salant.
This internalized shame, if left unaddressed, compounds over time, and is passed down through generations, quietly reinforcing cycles of disempowerment. Alongside structural barriers, it contributes to the systemic stagnation of entire communities. In Allegheny County, this reality is especially stark: the majority of census tracts with a predominantly Black population (51% or more) are classified as having high or extreme levels of community need — a reflection of these persistent socioeconomic inequities.
“Trauma informed means providing a safe space and being empathetic while being aware of previous trauma, which can affect an individual’s mental well-being.”
The pillars of our approach: how we disrupt poverty cycles
So how do we work to break these cycles at Catapult?
We follow a three-step approach:
1. Create a sense of safety
We recognize that no true change can occur without first feeling safe. That means creating an environment that is free of judgment and shame. At Catapult, our financial, homeownership, and entrepreneurship counselors take the time to listen to each client’s situation and treat them with respect and dignity, always seeking to understand and support rather than apply “tough love” or blame.
2. Uncover underlying beliefs
Transformation starts at the root. For those trying to get out of poverty, become a homeowner, or take their business to the next level, that means looking at the beliefs that power their actions and gaining a deep understanding of their money background.
3. Provide tools to deal with emotions
For many of us, financial decisions are shaped less by logic and more by emotion. We might splurge on a new bag when we’re feeling stressed, or avoid pursuing homeownership because, deep down, we don’t believe we deserve it.
At Catapult, we help people recognize the emotional drivers behind their financial choices. By bringing these feelings to the surface, individuals can begin making decisions from a place of confidence and clarity, rather than fear or shame. Our goal is to foster empowerment through understanding — because true financial wellness starts within.
“We’re not just trying to hurry people through our programs; we’re trying to ensure that they’re set up for long-term success,” noted Salant. “That takes time, trust, and a lot of work — and what is needed varies from person to person.”
“A culturally competent and trauma-informed approach is about recognizing and acknowledging that everyone comes from different walks of life and using that information to be a helper without triggering or re-traumatizing.”
Looking at the bigger picture: addressing systemic barriers to economic justice
Beyond our work at the individual level, we are also tackling the change that needs to happen at a structural level. As an organization, we understand that no true economic justice can be achieved without first dismantling the systems that were designed to keep people in conditions of poverty.
That’s why, through our Catapult for Change program, we advocate for improvements to local, state, and national policies and practices that are working against economic justice and the best interests of communities. One example of this is our work with the Black Women’s Policy Center to address the affordable housing crisis disproportionately impacting Black communities, looking at issues like predatory lending and eviction prevention.
For Thompson, she recognizes that she is where she is today because of, not in spite of, her past. But getting there was a long road — one that all started with a mindset shift.
