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

Will preschools make the cut? Families await fate of early education

A decision of whether or not to fund pre-school programs by the state is putting many programs on hold in Southwest Michigan.

"Nine local districts -- Burr Oak, Comstock, Decatur, Lawrence, Marcellus, Portage, Paw Paw, Vicksburg, and White Pigeon -- say their preschool programs are on hold until they get some kind of funding commitment. Several other districts, including the two that run the largest state-funded preschools in the region -- Kalamazoo Public Schools and Allegan Area Educational Service Agency -- say they'll start preschool on schedule but may end the program midyear if funding doesn't come through."

For programs still planning to start, the prospect of "free" education is becoming less and less likely.

"The uncertainty affects only state-funded preschool programs. In addition to the state-funded program some districts, including Portage, have preschool programs for which they charge tuition.

Delton-Kellogg is planning to charge tuition for its preschool for the first time. Bloomingdale may run preschool two full days a week instead of four half-days, to save on transportation costs. Three Rivers will offer bus service to preschoolers at the beginning and end of the school day, but there won't be a noon bus run -- children in the morning session will have to be picked up by parents, and children in the afternoon session will have to be dropped off."

Do you have a child in preschool that will be affected by the cuts? Contact Kevin Lignell at Klignell@haltpoverty.org.

Upcoming Events Focused on Kalamazoo's Homeless Residents

Two upcoming events will provide support services and create awareness around the population of residents who are homeless in Kalamazoo.

Day of Dignity with the Homeless: A One Day Community Fair (3rd annual)

September 12, 2009 from 11:00am - 3:00pm
Martin Luther King Park (N. Rose St. by the Transit Center)

Hosted by the Islamic Relief, Kalamazoo Lend a Hand, Bilal Islamic Center, Kalamazoo Islamic Center, Muslim Student Association & Others. Organizations will be giving away free products including: hygiene packs, new clothing, hot meals, children's toys, school supplies and job information.

Donations are needed to purchase clothing, food & children's items. Make checks payable to Kalamazoo Lend a Hand, 501(c)3 non-profit, or donate online at www.kalamazoolendahand.org. Also accepting item donations such as school supplies, children's toys and backpacks.

For More Info:
269-547-8178
rso.msa@gmail.com
www.kalamazoolendahand.org

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

An update from Michelle Schneider at LISC:

The week of November 15-21, 2009 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. This is a time where we look to bring awareness to the issues of hunger and homelessness in our community. It is a time to highlight the work that is being done throughout the year to combat these issues and to bring to the attention of the community that despite our efforts, there isn’t enough being done.

During this week, shelters will hold tours of their facilities, there will be a Poverty Simulation, volunteer activities, neighborhood meetings, speakers at Rotary Clubs, Food Pantry Collection Days, Habitat builds, a showing of “Where God Left His Shoes”, and a donation day where donations can be dropped off at numerous local shelters.

We know that many of your organizations do good work throughout the year to end homelessness and hunger in our community. If you will be hosting an activity such as a food pantry collection day, a film viewing/discussion, group volunteer day, or similar activity during the month of November, we would urge you to consider holding it during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Please let us know about your events! We will be marketing all of the events together through press releases, flyers, and posters to generate as much momentum around your events as possible. On behalf of those that are hungry and homeless, we must speak up and make this issue known.

Contact Michelle Schneider at mschneider@lisc.org or 269-343-5472 x 6 to have your event listed as part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Poverty Reduction Initiative
www.haltpoverty.org

Kalamazoo Eastside Block Party a Hit

Last Sunday, I was able to join community residents and leaders for a block party on the Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood called "Changing the Face of the Neighborhood." Hosted by the Bilal Islamic Center, the event featured free food and drinks, as well as guest speakers from the Bilal Islamic Center, ISAAC, the Eastside Neighborhood Association, and the Poverty Reduction Initiative.

The speakers expressed their views about building leadership in the community, reaching out to residents, and bringing more resources to the neighborhood. The party will ideally be the first of many upcoming events to be highlighted on the Eastside Neighborhood.

The leaders have many ideas for improving the neighborhood and are looking to engage other empathetic community residents who would like to see more prosperity throughout the community.

The food was delicious and the guests were exceptionally kind, smart and knowledgeable. To summarize, it was great to be a part of this event and I look forward to enjoying similar ones in the future.

Here are some of the pictures from the event thanks to Holly Lantz of ISAAC: