Taking Action Against Poverty
Throughout the month of February, Missouri KIDS COUNT has been showcasing the fight against poverty. We have discussed poverty’s wide-ranging effects on our state’s children, while also documenting the government programs that assist children and families who struggle with poverty.
KIDS COUNT relies upon the 20 Community Partnerships throughout the state to be the “boots on the ground” in the fight against poverty. They are pivotal if we hope to provide any lasting change. This week, we will highlight the work of a few of our partnerships across the state of Missouri.
Community Partnership of the Ozarks
This partnership, which impacts Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding areas has helped create the Impacting Poverty Commission. The Impacting Poverty Commission is a 32 member commission designed to develop a comprehensive plan for their community to combat poverty.
Recognizing the growing issue of poverty in their community, the Community Partnership took action right away by recruiting local leaders to help develop a framework and lead the Commission, which they believe will steer their community to a better tomorrow. By taking inventory of local initiatives that are already functioning in their area, the Commission hopes to fill gaps in community services and programs. The Commission will dig deep into the root causes of poverty in their community. In determining the sources of poverty, the Commission hopes to develop vision, measurable goals, and strategies to help alleviate poverty in their community.
The Commission will take a “Two-Generational” approach in combating poverty, which means parents as well as children will have access to opportunities such as well-paying jobs, education, and healthy lifestyle choices. The Commission also hopes to share these strategies with other communities in order to make an impact in their service area beyond.
The Impacting Poverty Commission is also working with their local community action agency, the Ozark Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), to provide poverty simulations. These simulations will give individuals who do not live in poverty the opportunity to spend time in the shoes of someone who faces poverty daily. It is their hope that these simulations, paired with actions taken in the community, will evolve into major systems and legislative changes that will develop public awareness about the critical issue of poverty.
Butler County Community Resource Council
Poverty has many different modes of attack; one of them being addiction. The Community Resource Council is leading the charge in Butler County by directing the Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (CASA) in the 36th Judicial Circuit. This association appoints volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children, caught in the throes of poverty and addiction.
CASA’s mission is to find children a safe, permanent home; unfortunately, the effects of poverty have often impeded that mission. If poverty were not an issue and these parents could find employment, education, and affordable healthcare, whole families could be restored. This is why the Butler County Community Resource Council is so passionate about their mission. Poverty affects every corner of Missouri in a different way; having Partnerships that know their regions intimately is vital in combating poverty.
Unfortunately, poverty plays a large role in the lack of treatment for the parents of impoverished children in Butler County. Due to a lack of funding, parents are often unable to find treatment. Without health insurance, or a means to support their children financially, parents often fall into addiction. This cycle will be difficult to break, but the Butler County Community Resource Council and CASA believe they are going to create lasting change.
Families and Communities Together (F.A.C.T.)
In Marion County, 21% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty. Thankfully, FACT has been a beacon of relief in their area with the utilization of the Home Resource Program. With the help of the Good 360 Organization, FACT has been able to provide families in poverty with items from department stores.
Community agencies refer families to FACT, who then acquires the donated items, and gives them to the families who are in need. Items range from cleaning supplies or household items to Christmas gifts.
As you can see, the Partnerships are the catalysts for change. The data and information mean nothing if it is not met with a response. This response will be provided through the actions taken by the Partnerships. You can be a part of the response to poverty. Find the Partnership nearest to you, and ask how you can help. Together, we can show the state that our kids count.
February 19, 2015
Our Featured Partnerships
By coming together in the fight against poverty, we can change our entire state!
