Stories bring the data to life. It's not that facts are bad, of course. The trouble is that by themselves facts generally do little to move a politician, a funder or the public to understanding, connection or action. Story, on the other hand, can be an effective tool to illustrate what the lack of services means in the lives of low-income families. Story, as narrative or as direct testimony, shifts the audience's basis for interpreting information.
Facts alone can make a strong, positive impression.
But in the end it is story that creates identification with the human values and meaning at the core of the work. I think it is not only showing up, but also consciously choosing and crafting your story in a way that sets the stage to invite the audience into the action.