from the Tribune Review Vickie Allman said she was in the midst of a tough time in her life emotionally and financially as a divorce left her a single mom with four kids ranging in age from 5 to 17. "I was at that point in my life that I needed to do something. I wasn't sure what exactly I needed to do," she said. Today she is one of four Jeannette residents who are the first to graduate from a program called Circles, presented by Westmoreland Community Action. It's geared toward ending poverty and changing the mind-set and goals of a community. The four graduates are known as "leaders" in the Circles program. "It's a real good feeling, because we had a chance of losing our house," said Eugene Smorey, who is involved in the program with his wife, Tina. "We learned a whole lot from the...
from the Times Tribune A neat reclamation project in Scranton Pennsylvania that will help provide housing for poor families. - KaleBY JEREMY G. BURTONA wooden sign above the doors is all but faded. The brickwork is crumbling and pockmarked; windows are broken.It’s been a century since Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School opened its doors in South Scranton; decades since it last held classes.But Wednesday, the former school received a new life, as officials broke ground on a $5 million project to turn it into an apartment complex for poor, working families.The makeover is a project of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a nonprofit United Way agency that offers services for those in need. The renovations will overhaul 830 Crown Ave. into 18 apartments for...
from the Allentown Examiner Community encouraged to support Allentown Lake events June 26-29BY JANE MEGGITT Staff WriterALLENTOWN - Not many rafts float on Allentown Lake, which makes the one that will be launched on Thursday evening even more special.Four team members planning a mission to the African nation of Malawi in August will launch the raft to raise awareness about their trip. They plan to spend 72 hours on the lake from June 26-29.Those interested in learning more about the mission of the Allentown Presbyterian Church can visit the information table that will be set up near the lake. The rafters have also planned a variety of other events to spark community interest and participation, including a wine and cheese tasting at a lake house, music at Pete Sensi Park, a water...
from the Pocono Record By Andrew ScottPocono Record WriterJune 20, 2008In a country where four out of every 10 families are forced to live on less than $50 a month in one-room tin shacks and children miss school after it rains because the dirt roads are too muddy to walk on, how do people find hope for the future?One way is through building new homes for themselves, with the help of small no-interest loans and learning to keep and maintain their homes and budget both for living expenses and paying back those loans. Those payments go to help other families build homes.Habitat for Humanity's sister affiliate in Argentina has been giving people in that country the opportunity to do all this since 2004."It boosts self-esteem when people can say, 'Now I'm not so poor because I can help...
from the York Dispatch by KATHY STEVENS A biennial study released Wednesday highlights the plight of low- to middle-income individuals in York County and statewide who in many cases live a paycheck away from financial trouble.These families often earn a couple of hundred dollars more than federal eligibility requirements allow, resulting in a gap in services that could make the difference in economic prosperity, said Marianne Bellesorte, senior policy analyst for PathWays PA, a Philadelphia-based agency that serves women, children and families.In York County, for example, a bare-bones budget -- which is the minimum amount of money needed to survive -- is $17,780 per year for a single adult.Families comprising two adults and two children -- one preschooler and one of school age -- must...
from the Philadelphia Enquirer By Alfred LubranoInquirer Staff WriterA Philadelphia family of four needs to make more than $50,000 a year just to survive, according to a study being released today.Two adults with one preschooler and one school-age child have to take in $53,611 annually to live on a bare-bones budget - that is, to meet their needs without public assistance or help from relatives and friends. A family of one parent and one preschooler needs $36,208 annually.The fact is that 56 percent - or 170,164 - of families of all sizes in Philadelphia earn less than $50,000 a year, U.S. census figures show.All this comes from a new set of calculations of what it costs to sustain a family in the Philadelphia region, part of what's known as the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Pennsylvania...
from the Philadelphia InquirerDonors save largesse for colder months, holidays.By Alfred LubranoSummer is the hungriest time in the Philadelphia area. And this season might be among the worst.Most schools in the region, including Philadelphia's, are closing this week, and tens of thousands of poor and working-poor children accustomed to free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches will be cut off.Meanwhile, the brutal, hard-time economy could make parents' ability to feed those kids themselves tougher than ever."We're going to go hungry this summer in a way we've never seen before," said Steveanna Wynn, executive director of the SHARE (Self-Help and Resource Exchange) Food Program, a nonprofit organization working to alleviate hunger in the city. "The issue of food for people in crisis...
from the BulletinBy: Erin MaguirePublic Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), a Philadelphia-based children's welfare advocacy group, cited in its 2008 report, The Bottom Line is Children, that the federal government's investment in children has declined by 10 percent over the past five years. PCCY, in its examination of local child poverty statistics, found that 168,718 children in the five-county region are living in poverty, a 25,016 increase since 2004.The government defines the poverty line as an annual income of $20,650 for a family of four. Alisa Simon, PCCY health policy director, said, "Even if a family makes double that amount, many of us would still consider those children as living in poverty. Tens of thousands of children are living in poverty besides those living at the...
from the Clearfield Progress NewsBy Gae Kane Some of the most profound solutions start with unconventional thinking. Thinking outside of the box can lead to doing the impossible. At least this is the position the National Letter Carriers Association has adopted. Then again, Americans have come to expect this kind of thinking from a group that devised innovative methods of delivering the mail despite snow, rain, heat, gloom of night and other hazards.Working in a wholly different arena than usual, letter carriers throughout Clearfield Borough collected some 4,000 pounds of food during the recent Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Many rural carriers also found residents placed items in their mailboxes they intended for the food pantry. In some instances, cash donations were also left for the...
from The Philadelphia InquirerBy Alfred LubranoInquirer Staff WriterFood prices are up, food-bank supplies are down, and more people in the area are receiving food stamps than at any time in years.These are, social-service advocates say, dire days for families already beset by climbing gas prices and declining wages.At the kitchen table, the gas pump and the workplace, people are being squeezed and compelled to live their lives with less and less.But food is the greatest worry."We have a crisis," said Sydelle Zove, interim food-stamp campaign manager for the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger."Meals are scarce," said Susan Smith, a 44-year-old Chester woman with diminishing means. "I'm 5-foot-10 and weigh 130. I should weigh 150."I need some food."Newly released state data...
from the Philadelphia Daily News By CHRISTINE OLLEYPhiladelphia Daily Newsolleyc@phillynews.com 215-854-5184Child poverty increased dramatically in Philadelphia and its suburbs from 2002 to 2006, according to a report by Public Citizens for Children and Youth.In the five-county region of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, 168,718 children were living in poverty in 2006, up from 142,702 in 2002, PCCY, a local child-advocacy group, found.This reflects almost a 20 percent increase over four years, according to U.S. census data.Bucks County experienced one of the largest increases in the four-year period: 113.2 percent. In Bucks County in 2002, approximately 3,270 children were living in poverty compared with approximately 7,625 in 2006.In Philadelphia County in...
from the Milton Daily StandardBy Andrew ZechmanChildren in Mifflinburg and Bucknell students both sought to raise awareness of poverty and world hunger in separate events held this weekend.In Mifflinburg, students began taking part in a 30-hour famine after lunch on Friday.On Friday evening, the children slept outside the Mifflinburg Intermediate School in cardboard boxes.The event was sponsored by “World Vision,” whose goal is to help eradicate world hunger.“The children are fasting for 30 hours to get a sense as to what certain kids around the world are going through,” said Brian Connolly, the organizer of the event and youth pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mifflinburg.Each child who took part in the program sought sponsorships and will donate the proceeds to...
from WLBZThe Homepage Cafe, as it is called, uses equipment donated by Starbucks and grant money from Bank of America.It's hard to think of redemption in the form of a cup of coffee, but it is for Yvonne Bailey.Not long ago, Yvonne could have shown you the best abandoned buildings to spend the nights in south Philly if you were homeless like she was.With a squeeze of the ceremonial scissors, Project H.O.M.E. opened the first internet coffee cafe today at the free library of Philadelphia.Bagels, cookies, and starbucks all served up by baristas who were formally homeless and are beating the odds with every cup of breakfast blend they pour.Sister Mary Scullion of Project H.O.M.E. says "the lives of the people here today are a testament of hope. It shows that solutions are possible when there...
from the Daily PennsylvanianNatasha BandukwallaCraig Sinkinson, President and founder of the Mayan Medical Aid, a non-profit organization that funds medically related projects involving Mayan Indians, spoke at Civic House last night. He addressed the impact of maternal and childhood nutritional diseases during pregnancy and early childhood development.His speech was part of Healthy Philadelphia Week, which is sponsored by Civic House and works to build awareness of public health issues in the Philadelphia area.Sinkinson left the United States in 2004 to start a health clinic in a small village, Santa Cruz La Laguna, in Guatemala. This health initiative aims to improve the nutrition, primary health care and sanitation of the inhabitants of Santa Cruz, Guatemala, while maintaining the...
from the Columbus Dispatch Decades after steel and mining jobs disappeared, Johnstown, Pa., is reinventing itselfBy Ramit Plushnick-MastiDefense contractors such as Northrop Grumman, which is building offices in downtown Johnstown, Pa., are helping fuel this city's comeback after years of struggling to attract businesses and jobs. The city also has been reaping the economic benefits of a large hospital complex and a growing tourism industry.JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Under the shadows of a steel mill's rusting carcass, a new Johnstown is slowly taking shape.Quaint cafes and even an upscale bridal shop have appeared in long-empty storefronts. Downtown lofts are being snapped up. Biotech companies and high-tech firms have set up shop.Decades after heavy industry died, taking much of Johnstown with...
By JEFF FRANTZAdrienne Camel and Paula Ray sat side by side at a table in the basement of the We Care Learning Center.Camel volunteered to go first in "what's new and good," which is how Circles of Support begins every meeting."The new and good thing is I got my brand new furniture," Camel said. Her eyes beamed. "Brand new. That's the first time I've ever had new furniture."Sitting to her left, Ray said her new and good thing was the $100 bonus a credit union gave her for opening a new account. She rolled it straight into her money market account, instead of taking the cash."This is something I wasn't expecting, so it's not something I need," said Ray. "It wasn't in my budget, so I put in my savings."The other nine women around the three tables nodded. This was new and good.Circles of...
from the Crusader OnlineBy Ashlie Crosson Three Susquehanna students are working to unite the world as one to eliminate the problem of world poverty.Junior Caitlin Newman, senior Sara Luley and junior Alina Gayeuski became involved in the ONE campaign, a national advocacy organization, in the fall semester.Since then, they have been working to make people more aware of poverty around the world."It's a movement of Americans who stand together in the belief that we have the technology and resources to end poverty," Newman said.In January, Newman attended the Power 100 Summit in Washington, D.C. as a representative of Susquehanna.There, she met with top student leaders to discuss the issue of world poverty.Among the people who spoke were Jenna Bush, President Bush's daughter, and former...
from WTAEPITTSBURGH -- The following is a transcript of a report by Wendy Bell that first aired Feb. 11, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.One in 10 senior citizens in Allegheny County lives quietly in poverty, surviving on less than $7 a day.And a staggering number of senior citizens live in houses that are unheated, unsanitary and unlivable.But one small organization is helping them out, one home at a time.Dorothy Ramay has lived in her home for 38 years. She lost one of her legs to diabetes and has to manage without it.He home is in shambles, but it wasn’t always that way. She raised eight children and 27 grandchildren in the home, causing it to crumble."I didn't know what we were going to do about a lot of things in this house, because we're old now, and I knew we...
from The Daily PennsylvanianSt. John Barned-SmithPoverty is rising in Philadelphia - faster than in the nation as a whole.As of 2005, 24.2 percent of the city - about 340,000 people - was living in poverty, according to data released this month by the U.S. Census Bureau. That number represents an increase from a poverty rate of 18.5 percent in 2000.Philadelphia also contrasts sharply with state and national averages. Pennsylvania's poverty rate for 2005 was 11.9 percent and the national average was 13.3 percent.Both state and national averages increased by about two percent from 2000 to 2005.In comparison with other large cities, New York's poverty rate in 2005 was 19.1 percent and Washington D.C.'s was 18.3 percent.Experts cite a lack of jobs, educational failures, housing issues and...
from WTAE...
from WTAE...
from The VillanovanJohn DurkinThe University is recognizing the 35th annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week through on-campus events aimed at raising awareness about global issues of poverty this week.HHAW strives to provide students with a new learning experience by combining education and action.Dr. Joyce Zavarich, associate director of Campus Ministry and adviser of HHAW, adds that students "fundraise for international relief and development organizations."HHAW's Augustinian connections are of particular importance to Villanova's involvement, since the values of peace and justice are promoted as well.The 5K Hunger Run took place at the Oreo on Monday afternoon, and the Fair-Trade Craft Sale occurred all day Tuesday and Wednesday in Connelly Center. The Hunger Banquet, which is a...
from The Lebanon Daily NewsBy KATHY HACKLEMANSCHAEFFERSTOWN — Shoppers at yesterday’s Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade Fair at St. Luke Lutheran Church offered two reasons for being there.While they certainly came to shop, either for themselves or other, many cited another overriding goal: to make life a little better for someone they will never meet.The fair, organized by the St. Luke Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a part of the LWR Handcraft Project. It featured handcrafted products from artisans in 35 countries. The money raised after the craftsmen were paid a fair wage is being donated to LWR. This was St. Luke’s first venture into the fair-trade world, but it will not be its last.Sue Donmoyer, wife of the Rev. Daniel Donmoyer, the church’s pastor,...
from The Valley Independent By Jeff OliverMONESSEN - OK, here is your life:You live in a household of five people. Of your three children, one is learning disabled.You have to make sure the kids get off to school every day and are fed dinner every evening.All of the bills have to be paid each month. On top of all that, the household's breadwinner recently was laid off from work.That's just one of many scenarios that people have to deal with every day.It's a poverty situation.It isn't pretty, trying to live life with little financial support.And what's sad is that in Westmoreland County, there are more people living in poverty than ever before.Tay Waltenbaugh, chief executive officer for Westmoreland Human Opportunities Inc. (WHO,) says that even though politicians will tell you that the...
from The Patriot NewsBY DIANA FISHLOCK / Of The Patriot-News,It’s hard to concentrate when you’re hungry or worried where you’ll sleep.Students living in poverty have a lot to overcome before they can concentrate on learning.The percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunches has been creeping up in many midstate school districts, officials said. And those are just the families willing to ask for help.Midstate districts are trying to help needy students - and sometimes their families, too - overcome barriers to learning.Families that have been poor for generations don’t just lack the money to do things. They lack the emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, relationship and role-model resources, said Christine Lay, director of curriculum and instruction for Central Dauphin...
from the Wilkes Barre Times-LeaderNearly one-third of city children were living in poverty in 2004, up from about one-fourth in 1999, according to an annual "report card" unveiled by Mayor John Street.The number of children living in poverty reached an estimated 111,683, or 30.3 percent, up from 25.4 percent in 1999, said the report produced for the city by the nonprofit group Philadelphia Safe and Sound.The report said 179 people ages 7 to 24 were murdered last year, a 20 percent increase from 2005. Not all the trends were negative: the report said teenage pregnancies declined and fewer children were exposed to dangerous levels of lead.Street, who has sought to expand services to improve young people's lives, acknowledged that "children are suffering." He said some problems in society do...
from The Record EagleThe Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry has kept his promise.When asked about plans following his retirement as president of the United Church of Christ in 2000, Sherry vowed to make poverty his big issue.Sherry, a Tamaqua native and one-time Kenhorst pastor, is doing just that. As national coordinator of Let Justice Roll, a coalition of some 90 faith and community groups, he was the leadoff speaker on a recent teleconference sponsored by Washington-based Faith in Public Life.Of the various speakers advocating action on different social-ministry issues, Sherry is the only one who can already point to significant progress.The Senate followed the House lead a week ago in approving a hike in the minimum wage; action by the committee reconciling the two versions is the next...
from KDKA(KDKA) PITTSBURGH A local group has come up with a unique way to educate the public about what it's like to be poor so they can help find solutions to this growing problem.The group, Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners, is sponsoring a series of "poverty simulations" to give people a new perspective on the daily struggles that the working poor can face."The purpose of our simulation is to educate people about the issues facing the working poor," explains PSVP's Terry Beggy. "It's called a poverty simulation and you go through about a month in the life of an individual who is surviving poverty."Tim Aldinger has a good job with the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board. Though he's never been poor, he wanted to take part in the project to better understand the challenges some of...