Hunger Issue content : "Hunger, Poverty On The Rise in Chicago Area"

Author: Kristina Betinis
Published: 1 July 2009

Economic deficiencies in Illinois have had an adverse effect on the working class, along with the unemployed, elderly, and disabled. Unemployment continues to rise in Illinois and working people are gradually beginning to plunge into poverty. According to Betinis, "The Heartland Alliance's Illinois report found that poverty was worsening in many areas in the state even before the current economic crisis officially began, rising in 58 of 102 counties. In 2007, nearly 12 percent of Illinois residents, or 1.5 million people, were living in poverty" (Hunger, Poverty on the Rise in Chicago Area, 2009). However, because the Heartland Alliance's report reflects the 2007 census count, before the economic crisis began, it is deemed inaccurate and unreliable. The government's definition of poverty for a family of four in 2009 is living with an income of less than $22,050 and extreme poverty at less than $11,025. Betinis states, "It is estimated that 253,000 more Chicago residents have become poor since 2007, bringing Chicago's impoverished population to 11.3 percent...In 2008 over 10,600 Chicago Public School students were homeless, an increase of 35 percent over five years." (Hunger, Poverty On The Rise In Chicago Area, 2009). The Lakeview Pantry experiencing a 20 percent increase in demand within this year does not compare to the skyrocketing demand for emergency food aid across the city. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that over 9 percent of Illinois families suffer sustenance uncertainty, along with a 14 percent increase in housing and food prices. Suburbs in the Chicago are experiencing a major increase in poverty and hunger as well, and residents are beginning to "move in to the outlying areas around Chicago in search of cheaper rents...or forced out by closures of public housing facilities"(Hunger, Poverty On The Rise In Chicago Area, 2009). Midwest Chicago reports a loss of over 676,000 jobs due to massive layoffs with a poverty rate of 12.3 percent. It is now deemed one of the 20 poorest cities in the United States!

Review of Kyle M.'s blog, "Falling Between the Cracks"

"Falling Between the Cracks"
By: Kyle M.
20 Oct 11
http://fallinbetweencracks.blogspot.com/

Kyle’s blog is well laid out and informative, however, his style of writing seems to present an angry and passive quality. I love the enthusiasm, but it threw me off a little because it seemed as if he was arguing with a friend rather than providing feedback and understanding of the subject of poverty to a significant audience. On the other hand, I do agree with his definition of poverty “that there is a fundamental lack of resources to be distributed to meet the demand for them”. He not only defines poverty, he provides critical insight of the subject and what should be done to eliminate it! Great read!

Review of Michael K.'s blog, "Poverty To Support the Starving Elite"

"Poverty To Support the Starving Elite"
By : Michael K.
18 Oct 11
http://povertykamysm.blogspot.com/

Michael's blog was somewhat difficult to read due to the black font and dark brown background, however, he writes extremely well and provided great insight to the topic of poverty. He writes extremely well and puts plenty of thought into each entry. You can tell that he is passionate about the subject of poverty and as I continued to read his blog, I found myself sharing the same passion as well, due to his strong, yet, critical point of views. Great Job! I Loved it!

Poverty in the City of Boston

The Annual Census Report for 2008-2009 in Boston show the number of homeless men, women, and children totaling 7,562

However, Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Homeless Census for 2010 illustrates:

       Unsheltered homeless adults counted on the streets = 182

       Homeless families sheltered in motels = 163

       Homeless families on the streets = 1,343
  
       Homeless adults in emergency shelters = 1,365

*The lowest figure for the unsheltered count since 1997!

The 2010 Mayor's Report for Boston, report the number of beds and units available for homeless persons during the last year:

       Total number of beds in emergency shelter = 3584
                                          transitional housing = 1513
                          permanent supportive housing = 4319

*The profile for homelessness in the 2010 Mayor's Report records a 2% decrease in the use of emergency shelters in the past year.

Furthermore, according to the 2010 Mayor's Report, "Homeless shelters had to provide vouchers for motels and hotels when beds were no longer available...there has been an 18% unmet need for emergency shelters" (Hunger And Homelessness Survey, pg. 35).

The city of Boston does not provide enough services for those in need, because cuts in social services and income supports are present due to the constant criminalizing of homelessness. Many homeless people today feel the need to defend their right to live in public areas of the city. The government develops "safe zones" for the homeless in order to divert the responsibility of the homeless to the state, thus, resulting in lack of resources, and an unsafe environment for those seeking help. "Homeless people depend on local services, usually provided through charitable organizations which rely on community donations and good will to survive. It's fairly painless for a federal judge to pass a ruling requiring outdoor "safe zones," leaving responsibility for homelessness to the city, the level of government with the fewest resources to respond" (Boston Review, 1993). 

I feel the criminalization of homelessness plays a major role in the quality and quantity of services available to the needy and those that have the ability to help fail to find personal impacts on the affect of poverty itself. Until the affects of poverty are felt on a personal level only then may we find a way to provide the adequate resources for those in impoverished positions and eliminate its existence, not only in Boston, but poverty throughout the world. 

Action Project Details

I am currently working on my own and the agency I chose to work with is The Night Ministry located in Chicago, IL on 4711 N. Ravenswood Ave. The Night Ministry, from their Health Outreach Bus and Youth Outreach van, provides services through listening and building relationships and helps people “of all age, races, religions, sexual orientations, economic and educational backgrounds” (http://www.thenightministry.org/, 2006). Their main goal is to serve and help others while connecting with people spiritually and emotionally, and they are willing to do all they can to provide support for those who are in need and “empower them to change their lives for the better. The basis for all their programs includes non-judgmental listening, caring support, and connecting people with resources to empower them to change their lives for the better” (http://www.thenightministry.org/, 2006). The Night Ministry staff consists of committed social workers, trained ministers, and volunteers. They follow a variety of beliefs and spiritual backgrounds and are not associated with any particular ‘congregation, denomination, or religion’. According to The Night Ministry staff “We recognize that we are all part of the human community. Each person is important and of value. We believe that supportive relationships can build dignity, confidence and a foundation for self-empowerment. We hope that the goods, services, and resources we offer will help people improve their daily lives.”

I believe I will help with their media room, sorting and organized in a way that makes sense to them in order to meet some of their needs.  I will go through old photos and articles and organizing them accordingly. I will also work on building a media list booklet to build an understanding of how their organization is run and understand the impact The Night Ministry has had throughout the city of Chicago through the media’s eyes. I will apply to become a volunteer so I may be able to travel to different neighborhoods from 7pm to 11pm Monday thru Saturday on a Health Outreach Bus or Youth Outreach van and provide hospitality services to the nurses and pass out a few helpful resources such as, coffee, hygiene kits, new socks, warm winter wear, cookies, cocoa, condoms, and more. I will then observe The Night Ministry staffs encounters with the needy through advising and listening, building connections with those who need it the most. Thursday evening, if time will allow, I will also visit the Breaking Bread Ministry’s evening café to serve the homeless and I will have the opportunity to take part in serving and observing the staff as well as having a personal account on the impact it has on those in need.

Mark Robert Rank's, "Why American Poverty Affects Us All" Part 2, Entry 2

I agree with Rank's idea of the impact of race, education, and gender on the long-term risk of poverty. Due to the white male-dominant society we live in today, it is difficult to disagree with Rank's idea that white males with high quality education are the least at risk for experiencing poverty. According to the table provided by Rank called "The Cumulative Percent of Americans Who Experience Poverty by Race, Education, and Gender", the risk of poverty is dramatically altered by the combination of race and education. However, the long term risk of poverty due to gender, presents identical experiences. I also agree with Rank's idea that "Race seems to be the most influential of the three characteristics in affecting the probability of poverty. By comparing individuals with similar gender and educational background, we can see the magnitude of this racial effect" (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg. 98). For instance, African American males that obtain the same quality education as white males are persistently affected by the issue of race. Their non-white status continues to be a factor, consequently, remaining at a higher risk of experiencing poverty throughout their lifetime. It is sad to admit that racial oppression still exists today and the struggle with finding equality in a white-male dominant society has been prevalent throughout history. 

Mark Robert Rank's, "Why American Poverty Affects Us All" Part 2, Entry 1

One of Rank's contentions is about the impact of race, education, and gender on the long-term risk of poverty. According to Rank, "...these three factors exert considerable influence on patterns of income inequality, social stratification, and economic life chances within the U.S." (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg. 95). He believes that low quality educated nonwhites and women, suffer considerably more through poverty than higher educated white-males. He supports his argument through presenting a table called "The Cumulative Percent of Americans Who Experience Poverty by Race, Education, and Gender." It provides evidence that "By age 28, the black population will have exceeded the cumulative level of lifetime poverty that the white population reaches by age 75" (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg. 96). Furthermore, the correlation between poverty and education, according to the table, shows that those with twelve or more years of education and white are less likely to experience poverty than African Americans and those with less than twelve years of education. Lastly, the connection between poverty and gender shows that women are more likely to experience poverty than men. However, Rank concludes, "The effect of gender on the probability of experiencing poverty for the first time is actually quite small" (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg. 97).