211 Up and Running for Branch County

According to the Daily Reporter, Branch County now has full access to the 2-1-1 help line, a comprehensive service directory which will help both low-income persons and residents simply in need of services.

The addition makes Southwest Michigan stronger in terms of connecting its citizens to the resources available in the community.

When I spoke a couple weeks ago to Gryphon Place and Kalamazoo's 2-1-1 service Director Bill Pell, he explained that the increase in calls in the last decade were mainly those affected negatively by the declining economy. The continue economic plunge would suggest that his trends would be likely occurring across most 2-1-1 covered counties in Southwest Michigan.

To learn more about what the 2-1-1 helpline does, visit http://www.gryphon.org/

Census data shows greater income inequality

Income has fallen for all groups, but is especially affecting those at the bottom. From MSNBC:

The wealthiest 10 percent of Americans — those making more than $138,000 each year — earned 11.4 times the roughly $12,000 made by those living near or below the poverty line in 2008, according to newly released census figures. That ratio was an increase from 11.2 in 2007 and the previous high of 11.22 in 2003.

"No one should be surprised at the increased disparity," said Richard Freeman, an economist at Harvard University. "Unemployment hurts normal workers who do not have the golden parachutes the folks at the top have."

Other interesting statistics:

• Income at the top 5 percent of households — those making $180,000 or more — was 3.58 times the median income, the highest since 2006.
• Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia had higher poverty rates than the national average, many of them in the South, such as Mississippi (21.2 percent), Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisiana (each with 17.3 percent). That's compared with 19 states and the District of Columbia that ranked above U.S. poverty in 2007.
• Use of food stamps jumped 13 percent last year to nearly 9.8 million U.S. households, led by Louisiana, Maine and Kentucky. The increase was most evident in households with two or more workers, highlighting the impact of the recession on both working families and unemployed single people.
• Pharr, Texas, and Flint, Mich., each had more than a third of its residents on food stamps, at 38.5 percent and 35.4 percent, respectively.

Contractors help repair low-income apartments in Kalamazoo

Following up on the article that I wrote for Open Door Next Door in PRI's June Newsletter, Rick's organization is continuing their good work in the community. From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

Open Door and Next Door Shelters has expanded its capacity for permanent low-income housing and did so with the help of local contractors who donated their time and resources.


The new 19-unit apartment building at 738 Academy St. was in need of renovation, so HomeAid Michigan put the organization in touch with Van Dam & Krusinga Building, Vandermay Construction Co. and Esper Electric.

“The cost was half what it would have cost us without their help,” said Rick Stravers, executive director of Open Door and Next Door Shelters.

They bought the brick building, built in 1930, with the help of an anonymous donor. Stravers said it was in fairly good shape, but needed some repairs and improvements such as masonry work, new carpeting and an electric-lock system so residents can buzz in guests.

Stravers said they have already found occupants for every unit in the building. The housing is for low-income individuals who have gone through the shelter program and have found employment but are still unable to pay for conventional housing.

The organization also provides temporary housing and counseling for people in need.
“One thing I really like about our program is that our people have the dignity and self-respect of knowing they did their part,” Stravers said. “It’s a partnership, made possible by community support.”

Read more at http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/09/contractors_help_repair_low-in.html

Kalamazoo Homeless Day of Dignity 2009

The Kalamazoo Homeless Day of Dignity took place on Sept. 12, 2009 and served close to 600 adults and 175 children of the homeless and low-income population.



www.haltpoverty.org

Role of Disability in Income Poverty

Disability is both a fundemental cause and consequence of Income Poverty. This theme was recently highlighted in stark terms by the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Census data often misses some of these connections, since the additional costs associated with being disabled are not considered in the Poverty formula.

The Center highlighted these FACTS among others related to Poverty and Disability:

*Almost half of working-age adults who experience income poverty for at least a 12-month period have one or more disabilities.
*Nearly two-thirds of working-age adults who experience consistent income poverty-more than 36 months of income poverty during a 48-month period-have one or more disabilities.

This has far reaching implications for Public Policy and Budget priorities for both the State Of Michigan and its decisions to cut crucial support to the most vulnerable and the US government when considering Health Care Reform.

Read the whole report here: http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/09/09-6

RCAR Program sees bright future in Southwest Michigan

Last week, a meeting around RCAR Program revealed a bright future in Southwest Michigan. The RCAR Program, which stands for Road Construction Apprenticeship Readiness, places disadvantaged populations, such as racial minorities, women and low-income individuals into training programs that prepare them for apprenticeships in the construction industry.

As many are aware, construction jobs require hard work, but are coveted because of the generally high wages they provide. For those in disadvantaged communities, it is an opportunity to enter a well-paying career to last a significant portion of their life.

At the meeting, it was announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation would not only renew the RCAR Program, but that they in fact would hire and place 20 RCAR graduates on their own budget. This came as great news to supporters, as it essentially relieves the group of searching out a significant portion of opportunities for the graduates to participate in.

What is still uncertain is the amount of participants that will be accepted into the program this year and next. Will RCAR look to place more than 20 graduates in Southwest Michigan? It will likely depend on the amount of construction work available, but it is likely that 20 disadvantaged residents from Southwest Michigan will find themselves in apprenticeships in the near future.

More updates will come on this program when available. Stay tuned.

Kalamazoo forum gathers commissioners to discuss infants and family health

Please Join Us!

“Chat with the Commissioners”

(Focus: Infants and Family Health)

September 11th, 2009

September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month

The purpose of this forum is first, for members of the community to put a face to the name of incumbent and potential commissioners. Secondly, it is to bring awareness to well supported efforts of HBHS in Kalamazoo in reducing infant mortality rates and health disparities and to continue the celebration of over ten years of maternal and child services. There will also be opportunities to share other concerns.

Host: Healthy Babies-Healthy Start of Kalamazoo

Where: Stockbridge Ave United Methodist Church

(On the corner of Race & Stockbridge)

1009 Stockbridge Ave

Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm

Contact: Angela at 373-5162 for more information!

Refreshments will be served!

What is it like to run out of unemployment benefits?

To find out, take a look at the stories of some of some of our neighbors down the road in Elkhart.

See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32555445/ns/us_news-the_elkhart_project

What kind of community do we want to be?

Are we a community that leaves adult workers with no means of supporting themselves or their children once they lose their jobs? Right now, there are many times more people who are unemployed than there are jobs available.

Or are we the kind of community where neighbors help each other through the institutions of our representative democracy as well as through volunteerism and charity?

It is up to each of us to decide, to take a stand, and to act.

How would a Poverty Simulation benefit my organization?

There are many reasons to participate in the Poverty Reduction Initiative's Community Poverty Simulation Workshop on September 29th. Our simulations increase empathy, awareness and offer solutions to reducing poverty.

But what is the specific benefit to your organization?

Businesses:

Poverty simulations are an opportunity to understand the struggles that your employees may be experiencing. With 36% percent of the population in Kalamazoo City in poverty, you have the opportunity to learn what steps your company can make in improving employee satisfaction.

Non-profits:

Gain insight into the personal experiences of the population you serve. Many of our organizations serve the needy, but we often do not realize struggles they endure on a daily basis. The next time you offer a service to the community member, you will reference a unique perspective on how it affects them.

Educators:

We often forget that 39% of children in the City of Kalamazoo are in poverty. Many more are exist in the lower-income bracket. Learn some of the struggles that economically disadvantaged children experience and obtain the tools to be a better communicator and educator.

Churches & faith-based organizations:

Serve the mission of God by leading an example in the community. Simulations will inspire members of your congregation to volunteer. After experiencing a simulation, participants said that they were 74% more likely to work with community resources to assist people living in poverty.

Government Organizations & Officials:

Voters want officials and governments programs that are in touch with the issues in their communities. Better serve the population that you represent and discover ways to advocate on their behalf. Understand the barriers that people living in poverty face every day.

Register now
www.haltpoverty.org

Tuesday, Sept. 29th 2009 from 9am - 12pm
Community Poverty Simulation Workshop
Douglas Community Center
1000 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

It's not just the Economy...

The beat goes on…the State budget deficit now looks to be over 2 billion dollars and counting. Every revenue hearing produces a bigger number, while the adjusted projections from the last hearing lay on the floor. Where will the deficit end up? How much red-ink will there be. No one seems to know…

Many of our elected officials feel the best way to resolve this issue is cut, cut, cut. While it is reasonable to review each expenditure and be sure we are getting the best value for the investment of our tax dollars, there comes a time, when we have to ask…where’s the revenue?

Michigan is facing a “structural” deficit. The things we tax, the amounts we tax and the way we tax does not provide what is necessary for the state to operate. While we may have bigger problems because of the down-turn in our auto industry dependant economy, we would still face budget problems if GM, Ford and Chrysler were still doing well. It is too easy to blame our lack of revenue on this global economic adjustment.

So where’s the money? How do we increase revenue in a fair and equitable way, keep Michigan competitive, and be sure we are in line with the other 49 states? We do not want to be the outliers, the only ones who tax this or that service, or have exorbitant rates. This makes no sense, when we want to encourage more business and jobs in the state.

The Michigan League for Human Services testified earlier this summer at a hearing in Lansing and offered some excellent options. We may or may not all agree on these options, but they need to be considered. You can learn more by following the link below…if you like some of these ideas, advocate for them with your legislator, and do it now!

http://www.milhs.org/Media/EDocs/BudgetDeficitsWEB.doc