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Communities of Hope Target States
We will focus on 20 states with the
highest levels of poverty. We have
identified the following twenty states:
Mississippi 21.6%*
Louisiana 19.4%
New Mexico 19.3%
District of Columbia 18.9%
Arkansas 17.9%
West Virginia 17.9%
Kentucky 17.4%
Texas 16.6%
Alabama 16.1%
South Carolina 15.7%
Oklahoma 15.3%
North Carolina 15.2%
Georgia 14.8%
Tennessee 14.5%
Idaho 14.5%
Montana 14.2%
Arizona 14.2%
New York 14.2%
Oregon 14.1%
California 13.2%
The percentage of the states total
population that live in poverty.
We will focus on 20 states with the
highest levels of poverty. We have
identified the following twenty states:
Mississippi 21.6%*
Louisiana 19.4%
New Mexico 19.3%
District of Columbia 18.9%
Arkansas 17.9%
West Virginia 17.9%
Kentucky 17.4%
Texas 16.6%
Alabama 16.1%
South Carolina 15.7%
Oklahoma 15.3%
North Carolina 15.2%
Georgia 14.8%
Tennessee 14.5%
Idaho 14.5%
Montana 14.2%
Arizona 14.2%
New York 14.2%
Oregon 14.1%
California 13.2%
The percentage of the states total
population that live in poverty.
| Causes & Effects of Poverty |
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AAASM.ORG
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK PEOPLE THROUGH
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK PEOPLE THROUGH
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
| EXECUTIVE VOLUNTEER STAFF Executive Director Stacey F. Johnson Assistant to the Director Jyssica P. Tomlin Secretary Lorena L. Williams Treasurer Jyssica P. Tomlin |
| ...90% of all single parent homes live in poverty, regardless of race... Support Communities of Hope |
The causes of poverty involve issues related to economics and education coupled with abuses in governance and lack of opportunity. We would also
like to add that communities in poverty experience higher levels of violence suffer hunger or even starvation, lack access to health care and therefore
experience mental and physical health problems.
We have provided key information on the causes and effects of poverty. We have provided solutions to theses issue in our approach to produce a set of
standards that work well for all communities. If a community is experiencing poverty, key indicators will be present. We will look at each and detail our
approach on addressing each.
It may be said that the causes of poverty can also be an effect of poverty. Research attained through this grant will be used to determine which causes in
addition to the ones we have already identified are having the greatest impact in each community. With this information in hand, we will then harness the
collaborative power of Community Partnership to begin to address these causes and effects.
Governance
Each day in America, we see examples of poor governance from government officials, school officials and businesses. The list goes on and on. Poor
management of resource revenues can mean that monies that should be used to lift individuals out of poverty are used for other purposes. Failure of
governments to provide for and maintain essential infrastructures, as in the case of many of our schools systems around the country, worsens poverty.
In the United States, the “Matthew effect” has been taking place for decades. This refers to the phenomenon, widely observed in a majority of welfare
states (those that we will target) that the
middle class tend to be the main beneficiaries of social benefits and services, even though they
are to target the poor.
According to some social scientists, good governance is the key factor to economic development and poverty reduction. Good governance means efficient
and fair government that is less corrupt and works for the long-term interest of this nation.
Communities of Hope’s purpose in the area of governance are to ensure that on a statewide and community level, recourses are being used in the best
interest of those most in need. Our Issues Areas Team will focus on what is being done (or not being done) to ensure there are effective, properly funded
programs and organizations that address the issues a community may have. For example, how are funds allocated by local business, local and State
governments to ensure each community has access to fresh fruits and vegetables? Does the community have a shelter program or a community food
locker? Are there enough jobs in the community to provide for a decent living wage? Is there an active after school or community program to address the
needs of the communities youth? Are the needs of seniors being addressed? What oversight is currently in place to ensure there are no abuses in power
when it comes to the needs of poor woman, children and families on a statewide and community basis? Are there any noted issues of poor governance
for that state?
This is where the tough questions will be asked. This is where the Executive Director presents the vision for the program and we will begin to build
community partnerships. We will conduct a series of town hall meetings and organize various discussions with the community and its leadership. We
will discuss the purpose of this project, which is to simply do what in the best interest of the poor in eliminating the causes and weakening the effects of
poverty.
Measures of good governance include effectiveness, accountability and low correction; we will look closely at these factors when examining each state
and will be key points as we begin to develop the exemplary program.
Economics
For developing nations, for every 1% increase in income, there is a 3% reduction in the level of poverty. Economics can made or break an individual, a
family, community, state and country. The goal of this project is to determine what will work best economically for each community to help it on its way to
being a self-sustaining community. Are there jobs available within each community to provide for a living wage? Are individual surrounded with what they
need to explore educational possibilities for themselves and there families, because we know that higher levels of education equate to higher wages. Are
there opportunities or incentives for individuals to begin and grow businesses that meet the needs of the community? It is the purpose of this program is
to examine possible ways to bring money into these neighborhoods such as:
1) Determine what product or service that community can offer others outside the community
2) Determine what products and services are needed inside the community and provide it within the community.
3) Is it possible to offer micro loans to groups willing to commit to learning business practices and principles to open a needed business within the
community?
4) Encourage the Government to offer incentives to business willing to hire and train at risk youth in a marketable trade.
5) Offer special micro loans and programs to single mothers who complete high school to cover the cost of college and to open a business when
completed.
6) Offer programs for newly released prisoners to start non-profits to address the needs of young boys growing up in a home with no father present.
7) Grants offered to nonprofit organizations to open locations in low-income communities, hiring residents of the community to begin an after school
program.
8) Help mothers obtain court ordered child support
There are many ways to bring economic recourses into a community. Communities of Hope will look at each community to determine what is working,
what is lacking and what will work best for it.
Health and Health Care
On its most basic level, inadequate
nutrition in childhood (an effect of
poverty itself) undermines the ability
of individual to develop to the full
capacity as human being. Lack of
essential minerals like iodine and
iron can impair brain development yet
over 2 billion people (1/3 of the total
world population) are affected by
iodine deficiency. Individuals
suffering from hunger or even
starvation also experience mental
and physical health problems. When
faced with these problems, it is very
difficult to have the ability to improve
the situation. One third of all deaths
are due to poverty related causes.
Those living in poverty have a lower
life expectancy and every year, 11
million children living in poverty die
before their first birthday.
One of the major effects of people
who live in poverty is that they all live
in poor health. Without access to
recourses that allow individuals to
stay healthy, people tend to require
more costly emergency services they
cannot afford placing them deeper
into debt. Diseases of poverty
reflect the dynamic relationship
between poverty and poor health.
While such infectious diseases
result directly from poverty, they also
perpetuate deeper impoverishment
as the costly treatment diverts and
eliminates valuable recourses. No or
poor access to affordable healthcare
makes individual less resilient to
economic hardship and more
vulnerable to poverty. Disease,
specifically diseases of poverty as
AIDS (a major health concern in the
African Americans community)
perpetuate poverty by diverting
individual, community and national
health and economic recourses from
investment to production. Clinical
depression, drug abuse, alcoholism
when not properly treated makes
individuals vulnerable to poverty.
Studies show that there is an
increase risk of drug abuse among
those living in poverty.
The issue of affordable health care is
America’s largest issue at this time.
We will look at what is available to
low income communities on a
whole. In the way of access to
healthcare and health education,
strong community partners can
bridge any gaps that may exist. The
purpose of this program is to
determine what works best in the way
of providing medical care to
individuals who cannot afford it. Is
there affordable accessible
healthcare in each community and
what numbers per year visit the
facility? How do we reach out on a
whole to address this need national
wide?
On its most basic level, inadequate
nutrition in childhood (an effect of
poverty itself) undermines the ability
of individual to develop to the full
capacity as human being. Lack of
essential minerals like iodine and
iron can impair brain development yet
over 2 billion people (1/3 of the total
world population) are affected by
iodine deficiency. Individuals
suffering from hunger or even
starvation also experience mental
and physical health problems. When
faced with these problems, it is very
difficult to have the ability to improve
the situation. One third of all deaths
are due to poverty related causes.
Those living in poverty have a lower
life expectancy and every year, 11
million children living in poverty die
before their first birthday.
One of the major effects of people
who live in poverty is that they all live
in poor health. Without access to
recourses that allow individuals to
stay healthy, people tend to require
more costly emergency services they
cannot afford placing them deeper
into debt. Diseases of poverty
reflect the dynamic relationship
between poverty and poor health.
While such infectious diseases
result directly from poverty, they also
perpetuate deeper impoverishment
as the costly treatment diverts and
eliminates valuable recourses. No or
poor access to affordable healthcare
makes individual less resilient to
economic hardship and more
vulnerable to poverty. Disease,
specifically diseases of poverty as
AIDS (a major health concern in the
African Americans community)
perpetuate poverty by diverting
individual, community and national
health and economic recourses from
investment to production. Clinical
depression, drug abuse, alcoholism
when not properly treated makes
individuals vulnerable to poverty.
Studies show that there is an
increase risk of drug abuse among
those living in poverty.
The issue of affordable health care is
America’s largest issue at this time.
We will look at what is available to
low income communities on a
whole. In the way of access to
healthcare and health education,
strong community partners can
bridge any gaps that may exist. The
purpose of this program is to
determine what works best in the way
of providing medical care to
individuals who cannot afford it. Is
there affordable accessible
healthcare in each community and
what numbers per year visit the
facility? How do we reach out on a
whole to address this need national
wide?
Education
Research has found that there is a high risk of educational under achievement for children who are from low-income housing circumstances. This process begins in primary
school for some less fortunate children. In the educational system in the United States, the result is a higher risk of retention, special placement during school hours and in
most cases not completing their high school education. For children living with low resources, additional risk factors include an increase in juvenile delinquency rates, higher
levels of teenage pregnancies and economic dependence on their low-income parents.
As statistics show, families and societies that do not invest in the education and development of less fortunate children end up seeing less than favorable results for those
children. These children experience a life of employment reduction and low wages.
Maintaining proper involvement and achievement in education from preschool to high school is meaningful in life. Poverty drastically affects a child’s success in the classroom.
A child’s home life, activities and way of being should be in line with that of the world. There should be an understanding of the importance of education and its ability to
empower intervals and enrich lives and should something that is sought after.
Because home life does have an effect on a child’s performance in school, any program that addresses poverty should look to address the issues at home that may have a
negative effect on a child’s performance. Over 30% of the children in the United States live in poverty and as such, any exemplary program that addresses poverty should be
introduced through the K-12 public school system to assist those families who seek help. Program materials would be provided on a school, community and statewide level
telling families how they can participate. As our model program shows, there would be improvements in Math and Literacy, mothers would gain marketable skills, at risk youth
would be mentored and the needs of seniors would be addressed, all at the mandate of the states. We will ask that schools allow non-profits to use school facilities to run each
program and that additional grant monies would be given to each school by the Federal Government for their participation.
Research has found that there is a high risk of educational under achievement for children who are from low-income housing circumstances. This process begins in primary
school for some less fortunate children. In the educational system in the United States, the result is a higher risk of retention, special placement during school hours and in
most cases not completing their high school education. For children living with low resources, additional risk factors include an increase in juvenile delinquency rates, higher
levels of teenage pregnancies and economic dependence on their low-income parents.
As statistics show, families and societies that do not invest in the education and development of less fortunate children end up seeing less than favorable results for those
children. These children experience a life of employment reduction and low wages.
Maintaining proper involvement and achievement in education from preschool to high school is meaningful in life. Poverty drastically affects a child’s success in the classroom.
A child’s home life, activities and way of being should be in line with that of the world. There should be an understanding of the importance of education and its ability to
empower intervals and enrich lives and should something that is sought after.
Because home life does have an effect on a child’s performance in school, any program that addresses poverty should look to address the issues at home that may have a
negative effect on a child’s performance. Over 30% of the children in the United States live in poverty and as such, any exemplary program that addresses poverty should be
introduced through the K-12 public school system to assist those families who seek help. Program materials would be provided on a school, community and statewide level
telling families how they can participate. As our model program shows, there would be improvements in Math and Literacy, mothers would gain marketable skills, at risk youth
would be mentored and the needs of seniors would be addressed, all at the mandate of the states. We will ask that schools allow non-profits to use school facilities to run each
program and that additional grant monies would be given to each school by the Federal Government for their participation.
| ...90% of all single parent homes live in poverty, regardless of race... Support Communities of Hope |