Call to Action

Call to Action #22

Come to the “Understanding Poverty” Program

On March 26th and Learn How It Affects Us All

Poverty is all around us, more so today than since the Great Depression. There are two types of poverty.  (1) Situational poverty occurs when individuals/families experience some type of loss — as we’re seeing increasingly today with families dispossessed or out of work — but they usually have the tools to help them out of poverty eventually.  (2) Generational        poverty, on the other hand,  seems to be always with us, in good times and bad. It occurs when two or more generations are born into poverty — and they’re not equipped with the tools to move out of poverty without HELP.

 Studies have shown that helping people move out of poverty helps us all!  It fuels the overall community by creating larger numbers of consumers with more purchasing power, increasing the local tax base, and decreasing the overwhelming costs that are associated with     poverty. Those born into generational poverty CAN be lifted out with programs that can help them and a commitment by others to help.  So what can we do to help?  Invest a couple of hours on March 26th to attend a multimedia presentation at 7:00pm in the auditorium. Ron Krietmeyer, Director of Poverty Education for Catholic Charities, will host the program, which will include recommendations such as:

 · Work to update the basics for those in poverty — education, health care, public safety.

· Improve growth and development patterns for low income and minority residents.

· Help minority groups close the gap on economic measures.

· Regionalize work force development opportunities.