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Randi Lynn Quackenbush Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County AmeriCorps VISTA

Empty Bowls – Working together to address Poverty and Hunger in Chemung County, October 15, 2013. Randi Lynn Quackenbush Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County AmeriCorps VISTA.

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Randi Lynn Quackenbush Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County AmeriCorps VISTA

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  1. Empty Bowls – Working together to address Poverty and Hunger in Chemung County, October 15, 2013 Randi Lynn Quackenbush Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County AmeriCorps VISTA

  2. “How we view poverty is critical to guiding how we will address it.” -Mark Rank • “Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” -George Bernard Shaw

  3. How do some define poverty? • Webster’s: the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions • World Bank: extreme poverty (>$1 PPP/day) moderate poverty (>$2 PPP/day) • UN:“Poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. (UN Statement, 1998)

  4. Absolute vs. relative poverty • Absolute, or extreme poverty, is when people lack the basic necessities for survival, such as food, clean water, housing, sufficient clothing or medicines, and access to social services. • Relative poverty is when the cost of maintaining an average, acceptable standard of living, relative to other members of society, exceeds available income. Basic needs may be met, but fewer resources, opportunities, and goods are available (inequality).

  5. It’s all relative.

  6. Generational vs. Situational

  7. Perceptions of Poverty • Individual Failing • Structural Failing

  8. Individual Failing • A person is poor because of their traits and poor decisions/ morals / attitude; their poverty is their own fault because they have not tried hard enough to escape; we should not have to pay for their mistakes; anyone who wants a job can get one; if you work hard enough you will make it no matter what

  9. Structural Failing • Persistently high unemployment and prevalence of low-wage jobs • Safety net in America is not as strong as in other developed nations where policies greatly reduce poverty • Life course risk: 58.5% of Americans aged 20-75 will experience one year of poverty (Rank et al 2003). • Think of a game of musical chairs with 10 players and 8 chairs; someone is bound to lose. Most studies focus on who is more likely to lose but ignore the reality that someone has to lose.

  10. Thus, according to these studies, poverty is a part of the American life-course for over half of the population. • It needs to be viewed as something fluid and transitional; there are not solid barriers between so-called “classes;” people move in and out of poverty depending on work, health, family situations, and a variety of other factors

  11. A parent working full-time at minimum wage ($7.25 per hour) earns, before taxes, $15,080 annually. • For a single-parent family with one child, these wages are just below the poverty line. • Thus, it is entirely possible to work full time and still earn less than the federal poverty line if you have children. • 9.4% of full-time workers live in poverty (Rank et al 2003).

  12. Hunger in Chemung County • • Children who qualify for the free and reduced price school meal program: 6,036 (49%) • • Households receiving public assistance (TANF / welfare): 1,244 (3.5%) • • Households receiving Social Security: 12,513 (35.2%) • • Households receiving Food Stamps: 4,861 (14%) • • % of single female households living below the poverty level with children under 5 years: 48.3%

  13. Food Deserts

  14. The Chemung County Poverty Reduction Coalition • Partnering with many local organizations • Reaching out to those affected to plan and act together • Community education about facts of poverty • Initiate a community survey to identify needs and gaps • Working towards a Poverty Reduction Plan • In collaboration with a Cornell faculty member and other NYS county extension offices • First goal is to initiate a community conversation • Poverty is not an us vs. them issue; it affects everyone

  15. Deficit vs. strength-based Thinking • Deficit, or problem-based thinking: Makes people feel powerless and overwhelmed, discourages action, leads people to think they need to rely on others to solve problems • Strength or asset-based thinking: Makes people feel capable and powerful, focus on existing resources and assets, promote collaboration and partnership

  16. Get involved • Attend our meetings or upcoming workshops • Join a subcommittee • Share information about coalition with co-workers and friends • Visit our website: www.ccechemung.org • “Like” our Facebook page • If you are able, help others in seeking assistance • Share stories of success

  17. Thank you for listening! Feel free to contact me at rlq3@cornell.edu

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