The Open Table uses a community-based, bottom-up, grassroots model to draw together the relational, intellectual and social capital of communities to transform poverty. Each Table is composed of a group of volunteers that make a year-long commitment to act – through reciprocal relationship—as a team of life specialists, encouragers, and connectors to social capital in the community. Over the course of a year, the Table and the participant/family develop friendships and together implement a participant-driven plan to build a better life.