Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America

Things You Can Do - Get Organized

1) Invite those who are directly impacted by poverty to join your discussions of the paper and become participants in the actions you all take to address poverty.

2) Identify existing resources or advocacy groups working on your issue in your community.

3) Reach out to those living in poverty in your community by participating in parish and community activities and service.

4) Develop a working group within your church and community- to help spread the word and raise concerns about “your issue”- make sure to involve some low-income families on your work group.

5) Share what you have learned with others in your community and encourage them to take action too.

Things You Can Do - Reflect

1) Pray for those whose lives are impacted by poverty

2) Use Scripture to deepen your understanding of poverty

3) Familiarize yourself with Catholic social teaching on the poor

Things You Can Do - Get Informed

1) Educate yourself about poverty in your community and in the United States. Read Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good and other facts and stories about poverty. Also, use the study guide to the poverty paper.

2) Identify an issue (such as health care, housing, hunger, economic security, or moral budget priorities) that you are passionate about and can take action on.

3) Make yourself familiar with legislation and policy proposals that impact those low-income families and individuals. Visit Catholic Charities USA’s advocacy page.

4) Reach out to those living in poverty in your community by participating in parish and community activities and service.

Things You Can Do - Get Involved

1) Let your voice be heard by involving yourself in advocacy activities at the local, state and national levels. Visit Catholic Charities USA’s advocacy page.

2) Identify key power brokers within your church and community who can assist you with your advocacy efforts.

3) Join your diocesan or Catholic Charities legislative network and become an active participant.

4) Contact your local elected officials with specific concerns about poverty in your community and ask for a staff contact to follow up with. Follow up with that staff.

5) Engage your state legislators and U.S. Congressional members. Visit Catholic Charities USA’s Legislative Action Center.

6) Once you have a strong understanding of your issue, have organized some community support, and know what changes you would like to see, engage your local media to call attention to what is happening in your community. Visit Catholic Charities USA’s Legislative Action Center.

Census Data - Poverty

In July 2006 the United States Census Bureau released new data that showed that things are not getting any better for the poor. The Bureau reported that no significant change in the number of Americans living in poverty between 2004 and 2005. It also reported the following:

This is the first year since 2000 that the number of Americans living in poverty did not increase.

While the level of poverty remained the same between 2004 and 2005, the new data showed an increase in the gap between wealthy and poor Americans.

The data showed an increase in the number of Americans without health coverage. Over 46 million Americans were uninsured in 2005, an increase of 1.3 million from 2004.

The percentage of Americans without health care coverage also rose from15.6 percent in 2004 to 15.9 percent in 2005

The number of children who are uninsured rose from 7.9 million in 2004 to 8.3 million in 2005.

The percentage of Americans with private health insurance declined to 59.5.percent in 2005- compared to 62.6 percent in 2001.

March is Endorse the Campaign Month

As of today CCUSA has close to 700 endorsements from individuals and organizations who want to help reduce poverty in America!

This month, help Catholic Charities USA spread the word about the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America by endorsing the Campaign and then encouraging coworkers, staff, partner organizations, friends, clients, family, and others in your community to endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

Ask them to lend their voice to this important effort and join the many Americans across the country who are joining the Campaign today! Please join us - Click here to Endorse the Campaign!