Tackling poverty in America means grasping reality
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By Sasha Abramsky, freelance journalist, Marguerite Casey Foundation
In early September, the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing that the poverty rate in 2018 was 11.8 percent, half a percent down from 2017, and far off what it was at the height of the Great Recession. In fact, the 2018 rate was lower than before the financial crisis hit.
On the surface, the rate suggests we're on the right track when it comes to tackling poverty. However, dig below surface numbers, and the story is far more complicated.
Do the lower poverty numbers mean people are actually struggling less because federal anti-poverty measures have become dramatically more effective in recent years? Not really.
Sure, during a period of strong economic growth and the low unemployment that accompanies it, a falling poverty rate nationally is largely inevitable. But the poverty rate also is dropping for two other reasons.
Editor's note: In this analytical essay for Marguerite Casey Foundation's Equal Voice News, Sasha Abramsky looks at poverty in America in 2019, the interpretation of data and the preferable focus to best reflect reality and make progress for all families in the nation.
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Philly is asking neighborhoods how it can lift 100k people out of poverty
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By Max Marin, political editor, Billy Penn
To move the needle on the Philly's intractable status as the poorest big city in the U.S., officials are heading out of City Hall and into the neighborhoods.
Launched in October, the Special Committee on Poverty has an ambitious goal: Get 100,000 Philadelphians out of poverty over the next five years. That's roughly a quarter of the population estimated to be living below the federal poverty line.
The committee proposes to move at a fast pace. By the end of this year, it hopes to have a report ready with three to five concrete policy recommendations.
Co-chair Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez said the recommendations will not be sweeping new programs or economic silver bullets. Rather, she hopes the committee will identify ways to fix what she describes as the broken bureaucratic processes that prevent people from taking advantage of existing programs.
Billy Penn is one of more than 20 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on economic mobility. Read more at brokeinphilly.org or follow at @brokeinphilly.
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Pay-gap lessons help student negotiate better salary
By Leslie Wells, Associate Director of Communication, O'Neill School at IUPUI
Kennedy Jefferies is eight months into her first full-time job. The O'Neill Civic Leadership major accepted a position as the director of preschool ministries for a large church in Indianapolis.
She edits youth curriculum while recruiting and managing 30 to 50 volunteers who lead classes for hundreds of children, provide childcare at church events and work during youth functions.
Jefferies is passionate about her work with volunteers. It's why she took Marshawn Wolley's Managing Workforce Diversity class at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI.
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Girl Scouts of Central Indiana has named
Ratasha Sweatt as vice president of talent and culture. Sweatt has worked for the organization for more than 12 years in several departments including program, membership, data and human resources. She also serves as a National Mission Delivery Coach for Girl Scouts of the USA. - Inside Indiana Business
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Ivy Tech Community College has named
Rebecca Rahschulte vice president of K-14 initiatives and statewide partnerships. She most recently served as the site director for the Batesville campus and has served at the college for more than 15 years. - Inside Indiana Business
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CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions has named
Tauhric Brown president and chief executive officer. Brown currently serves as chief operating officer for Services, Inc. of Kalamazoo, Mich. - Inside Indiana Business
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Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) promoted
Noe Rojas from neighborhood projects coordinator to director, systemic investigations. Rojas joined the organization in 2015.
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Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) promoted
Brady Ripperger from Fair Housing projects coordinator to director of Fair Housing Programs. He joined the FHCCI in 2013 and has held several FHCCI positions.
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King Park Development Corp. and Renew Indianapolis, formerly known as Indianapolis Land Bank, are merging business operations to provide "comprehensive community stabilization and development services" in Indianapolis. The combined organization will be called Renew Indianapolis Inc. and will focus on renovating, building and financing affordable housing.
Read more.
As part of the NBA All-Star 2021 celebration, which will be held in Indianapolis, a million-dollar initiative provides grants up to $50,000 for 21 brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects that focus on health and wellness (e.g., indoor/outdoor basketball courts, playgrounds) or education (e.g., STEM labs, reading centers). Selected projects will help identify a high school-aged Rising Star in those same communities. The 21 Rising Stars, members of the class of 2021, will serve as honorary chairs of the local Legacy Project and recruit other youth to serve leading up to NBA All-Star 2021 in support of the project.
Learn more here.
IU trustees make test scores optional. Students who intend to apply to any Indiana University campus might not have to fret over their scores from ACT or SAT exams. The IU Board of Trustees on Friday approved a change in policy allowing the schools to opt out of using the standardized test scores as a basis for admission.
Read more.
Delaware County Nonprofits Awarded Grants. Ten nonprofit organizations received nearly $100,000 in grants from the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County to benefit the community in several areas, including arts and culture, human services and economic development.
Read more and see recipients.
The Efroymson Family Fund awarded a $200,000 gift to the Central Indiana Land Trust's (CILTI) new Evergreen Fund for Nature and will match giving up to $50,000 before Dec. 26. The new fund will allow CILTI to act swiftly to purchase and protect significant land in Central Indiana forever.
More information here.
The Indiana Department of Education has awarded nearly $300,000 in grants, allowing 10 elementary schools to continue their
Dual Language Immersion Programs, while adding a new school to the program. Nine teach Spanish, one French and another is immersing the students in Mandarin.
Read more and see recipients.
Child Advocates received a $40,000 grant from Glick Fund and $20,000 United Way of Central Indiana Basic Needs Fund to provide additional services to improve outcomes for older youth in foster care system. The Glick Fund grant will be used to increase the percentage of foster youth from the Far Eastside who receive support through the Educational Liaison Program and the United Way of Central Indiana's Basic Needs Fund will assist older youth in the child welfare system with transportation to court, medical appointments, job interviews and work.
Read more.
Indianapolis Rotary Foundation awarded $80,000 to area nonprofits. Both Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People and Elevate Indianapolis will each receive $25,000. Kids Dance Outreach, Inc., Purchased, Inc. and The Society of St. Andrew, Inc. will each receive $10K.
Learn more.
AFP-IC honored Robert H. McKinney, Rick L. and Vicki L. James, Ernie Vargo, Old National Bank and others at its 37th annual Indiana Philanthropy Awards celebration, presented by Aly Sterling Philanthropy.
Learn more.
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Youth worker ethics in daily practice webinar on Dec. 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. (ET). The session, presented by Frank Eckles from Academy for Competent Youth Work, is designed for child and youth work practitioners from any practice setting. Its contents are helpful for workers preparing for certification at any level, and others who seek to better understand the process of ethical decision making and applying a code that is specific to youth work practice. Cost: $45.
Additional information and registration here.
Indiana Evaluation Association: Intermediate Consulting Skills on Jan. 17 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Lumina Foundation (30 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis). Dr. Matt Feldmann will cover topics such as how to market effectively using a developmental marketing approach, strategies for managing complex projects, and how to foster innovation and sustainability through reflective practice. Cost: IEA member free, nonmember $20. For more information and to register,
click here.
Candid: How to market your impact webinar on Jan. 16 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (ET). Learn how to share your organization's impact in a meaningful way. This live training offered by Candid qualifies for 1.5 CFRE point(s). Cost: $49 through Jan. 8.
Learn more.
3 fundraising trends to capitalize on in 2020 webinar on Jan. 23 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (ET). To help plan your fundraising for the New Year, Will Schmidt of Classy will lead this digital classroom to share trends all nonprofits should capitalize on. Cost: free.
Register here.
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CenterPoint Counseling: New Day program needs volunteers to lead age-appropriate groups. Next training is Jan. 11 beginning at 8 a.m. Groups, which provide support for children and families of divorce, meet monthly on the second and fourth Tuesdays from September to May. No experience necessary, and all training provided. Commitment 30 hours. For more information contact
Jennifer Murphy or call 317-252-5518.
Additional information here.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING
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MEETING ROOMS OR EVENT SPACE
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Reserve a room for your next meeting or training at St. Paul's Indy.
Looking for a meeting space on Indy's Northside? St. Paul's Indy has six rentable spaces that can accommodate groups from six to 250. Building is handicap-accessible and has a large parking lot and ample street parking. Guest wifi and A/V equipment included. Interested in learning more?
Click here
for accommodation details, pricing and an inquiry form.
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OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE OR SALE
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Prime office space for lease in the heart of Indy's Downtown
Share office space with other nonprofits in the Platform in the City Market Complex (202 E. Market St.). Affordable spaces available for up to 60 people or 6 - 8 employees. Among the amenities tenants have shared access to large and small conference spaces, fiber optic internet and wifi, color and B/W printers/copiers/scanners, and a kitchen stocked with premium coffee. Easy access to parking, public transportation, a bike hub, outdoor plaza, and cultural trail, along with many great restaurants. For more information contact Tosseia Holmes at
[email protected]
or 317-454-8497 or
click here.
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Let people know about your extra space, extra building or even property for sale. To learn more, contact Julie at
[email protected]
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