Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America

KIDS COUNT: new data available

Check out the new KIDS COUNT resource from the Annie E. Casey Foundation

Catholic Charities becomes lead agency for CIRCLES

Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida has been named the lead agency for CIRCLES in Escambia County. CIRCLES is a program that combines the best work of engaged community members, government and human services to help end the cycle of poverty. Based on “Bridges Out of Poverty” by Ruby Payne, Phil DeVol and Terie Dreussi Smith, CIRCLES has succeeded in helping to lift people out of poverty in other communities. Read more about CIRCLES and the Poverty Solutions Team

Healthcare news clips 3/31

Healthcare

D.C. Plan Could Aid Uninsured, The Washington Post (March 29, 2008): A D.C. Council member will propose a sweeping plan next week to mandate health-care coverage for all District residents by offering a city-subsidized program for the uninsured that would be funded through new taxes on health companies and cigarettes.

            Medicaid

            Medicare

Medicare’s Financial Woes, The New York Times (March 28, 2008 op-ed): Warnings that Medicare spending is growing at an unsustainable rate come with mind-numbing regularity, so it was no surprise that the latest report from the Medicare trustees found that the system is still headed for a financial abyss. Medicare’s problems get scant attention on the campaign trail but will demand strong corrective action by the next president.

            SCHIP

George Bush's Redemption

Read Fr. Larry Snyder's interview on Busted Halo, exerpt below

The clock may be ticking on the Bush White House, but a group of religious leaders claims it’s not too late for George W. Bush to redeem what they call his ‘shameful’ legacy. Last month, the leader of Catholic Charities USA, the Reverend Larry Snyder, joined other Catholic and evangelical Christian social justice advocates in urging the President to right the wrongs of his administration. Catholic Charities USA, is the national membership association of more than 1,500 Catholic agencies and institutions that serve approximately 7.5 million people a year. Fr. Snyder oversees the organization’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, a multi-year, multi-faceted initiative that aims to cut poverty in half by 2020. BustedHalo.com® recently spoke with Father Snyder about the changes he’d like to see, the challenges for the country’s next president and his hope for young Americans. Read it here

January 10, 2008 Marks one year anniversary of the Campaign!

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

In 2007, over 4600 individuals and 390 organizations have endorsed the campaign- in 2008 we want that number to GROW! We need all people of good will to endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America and take action.

How will you mark the one year anniversary?

• Make it your goal for the day to get 10 people to Endorse the Campaign!
• Read the highlights of 2007 and take the quiz
• Learn how you can make poverty a priority in the 2008 elections
• Join Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America Facebook Group

Poverty is a problem that affects us all

Poverty is a problem that impacts us all

For those in Michigan lucky enough to see poverty as someone else's problem, or no more of one than the moment of guilt as one breezes past the Salvation Army red buckets over the holidays, there's news for you: Poverty in Michigan is everyone's problem. While solutions may be maddeningly elusive, Michigan ignores poverty at its peril.

A recent report from the Michigan League of Human Services won't come as shocking news to anyone in this state. It found that, over the course of this decade, poverty levels have risen, and more and more Michigan families are being squeezed between declining or stagnant wages and ever-rising prices read more

Poverty in America: Beyond the Numbers

To call attention to the needs of Americans trapped in poverty this holiday season, Catholic Charities USA will release findings of its annual survey showing how Catholic Charities agencies are working to address the pervasive issue of poverty in this country.

As one of the largest social service networks in the country, Catholic Charities agencies serve 4.1 million people living below the poverty line. That’s 1 in 10 people living in poverty. These agencies understand the consequences of poverty first-hand, and also know the solutions for helping individuals get on a path to self-sufficiency.

Please join us as we address the challenges facing those in poverty and the opportunities for reducing poverty in America by half by 2020.

• Gain a greater understanding of what’s behind the survey numbers
• Learn about successful evidence-based case studies for addressing poverty
• Take a state-by-state look at how and where Catholic Charities agencies are serving the greatest numbers of individuals in need of healthcare, food, employment, and housing services, as well as the many social services that build stronger families and communities
• Trace the trends in the needs of Catholic Charities’ clients since 2002
• Hear more about Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, an ambitious plan to cut poverty by half by 2020
• Find out about the 3Ps for Reducing Poverty

When:	10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2007
Where:	Hall of States 444 North Capitol Street, NW Room 383/385 Washington, D.C.
RSVP:	Monica Maggiano, Catholic Charities USA mmaggiano@catholiccharitiesusa.org
Media Contact:	Shelley Borysiewicz, Catholic Charities USA sborysiewicz@catholiccharitiesusa.org
Speakers:	Janet Valente Pape, chair of the Catholic Charities USA Board of Trustees and executive director of Catholic Charities of Wichita Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World Christene Dykes-Sorrells, director of emergency services for Catholic Charities of Chicago, IL Catholic Charities guest from Sarah’s House, Baltimore, Maryland

US House Fails to override President Bush's Veto

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, issued the following statement today following the failure of the U.S. House of Representatives to override President Bush’s veto of a compromise bill to strengthen and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a highly successful program that provides health insurance coverage to poor children. The vote was 273-156, 13 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

“It is disappointing that there were not enough House members willing to stand up for children and vote to override this ill-conceived veto of a bill that would have helped so many children without health insurance.

“Because of President Bush’s veto and the 156 House members who voted to uphold it, thousands of poor children living in every state will not receive health insurance coverage that they would have received under this legislation.  Their actions put the health of many of our nation’s children at risk.

“The veto may have blocked this bill, but it cannot stop our commitment to the most vulnerable in our society. Catholic Charities USA calls on Congress and the White House to work together to find agreement on a bill that provides this critically needed health coverage to more poor children.”

October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural.
It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Nelson Mandela

Have you taken action today to help reduce Poverty?

It's easy to get involved. Today you can:

• Read Poverty in America, a threat to the common good and reflect on what you can do
• Endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America
• Take Action and help children get the health insurance they need
• Talk to your family, coworkers, community groups about poverty in your community and what you can to

 

Despite Slight Decline in Poverty Rates Much More Needs to Be Done to Cut Poverty in Half by 2020

CCUSA troubled by increase in uninsured rates among children

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, issued the following statement regarding new statistics released today by the U.S. Census Bureau that shows that poverty has declined slightly in the United States. “Any time the poverty rate decreases, we should celebrate. However, we must never lose sight of the fact that in one of the world’s wealthiest nations, 36.5 million people living in poverty, including 12.8 million children, continue to struggle to make ends meet. “Catholic Charities agencies serve more than 7.4 million people each year, giving us first-hand experience in dealing with the personal tragedy of poverty. That’s why Catholic Charities USA launched its Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America last January to cut the poverty rate in half by 2020. Catholic Charities USA is extremely troubled that the number of uninsured, including children, continues to increase. We firmly believe that there is no excuse for any child in our nation to go without access to health care, which is critically important to the well-being and development of all children. “Each day we work to help to lift people out of poverty, but much more needs to be done. What will it take to shake our nation’s leaders out of their complacency and to convince them that America’s promise of a better life and a better tomorrow rings hollow for millions of people who are working hard but falling further and further behind. “When Congress returns from its August recess, it is critical that both the House and Senate take real steps to help those living in poverty. It’s time for Congress to get to work and find the political will needed to make poverty a top agenda item and help the most vulnerable in our nation. “We call on Congress to strengthen State Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover more children from low-income families before this successful program expires at the end of September. It’s also important for Congress to strengthen federal nutrition programs, including passing a Farm Bill that makes the application process easier, increases food stamp benefit amounts, improves outreach, and expands eligibility and eliminates asset limits. In addition, Congress must continue and improve Head Start and strengthen and adequately fund needed affordable housing programs. “We must renew our commitment to help millions of Americans still living in poverty and the millions who are lacking vital health insurance. This is about who we are as a nation, and we simply must do better.”

What do you think about the Census numbers?