This article presents an example of policy-oriented research in a collaborative, community-based undergraduate research project. It explores how students in two classes, a civil rights course and a historical methods course, worked collaboratively to inform New York state lawmakers about the historical causes and effects of urban poverty in Niagara Falls. Outlined specifically is the process of developing student research teams that used historical research methods and documentary video to inform state lawmakers about complex racial and economic crises. Importantly, this project required students to confront popular myths and misconceptions concerning the reasons for poverty in the region and to use historical thinking and research to address the problem.