Issues In The News

The Washington Times, July 29, 2010: In enlightened city lies a dark world of child sex trafficking

"She escaped, pregnant and scared. She gave up her baby for adoption and spent time in foster care before running away again. This time she was on the streets, and after eight months at a shelter for the homeless, she was recruited by her first pimp."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 29, 2010: (Op-Ed) Should the minimum wage be indexed for inflation?

"A strong minimum wage puts money into the pockets of low-income families who spend it in their local communities, increasing local buying power on which our economy depends... [L]ast year's rise in the minimum wage... generated $5.5 billion in new consumer spending."

The Indianapolis Star, July 29, 2010: State's girls at higher risk of violence

"But, she said, it might have something to do with the conservative culture in these parts, which can create a reluctance to have open and honest conversations about sex. Economic downturns, and the poverty... that follow, also can raise the likelihood of sexual violence, she said."

The Journal News, July 29, 2010: Advocates for low-income communities highlight stimulus' shortcomings in Yonkers

"Residents took elected officials and advocates for low-income communities on a tour of the city's federal stimulus projects Wednesday to illustrate what the spending has and has not done."

Poughkeepsie Journal, July 29, 2010: Scores plummet on student tests following adjustment of scoring system

"The changes were even more dramatic for black and Hispanic students, children with disabilities, students in high-poverty districts and those whose first language is not English."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 29, 2010: Weaving bags into mats for homeless

"If you're seeking a creative way to reuse the plastic bags used by so many stores, look to the Mat Makers, a group of women crocheting them into sleeping mats for the homeless."

Newark Advocate, July 29, 2010: Mother, daughter push Pedal Power to help homeless

"Motivated by the fact there is little public transportation in Licking County, a mother and daughter have teamed up to collect good, workable bicycles that will be given to the homeless."

The Marshfield News, July 29, 2010: Wood Co. sees W-2 users rise

"Wood County might need to add an employee to help the increasing number of residents participating in a program designed to aid low-income parents. In January, Wood County had 68 Wisconsin Works... cases in which clients received payments."

The Lexington Herald Leader, July 29, 2010: Foundation gets $2 million to help rural and low-income communities

"The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has received a $2 million grant that it plans to match with another $2 million to help up to 10 low-income and rural communities."

Fort Collins Coloradoan, July 29, 2010: (Op-Ed) Organization demonstrates giving spirit

"'The central focus for Homeless Gear is collecting and distributing outdoor gear (packs, sleeping bags, etc.) and outdoor clothing (coats, rain gear, boots, gloves, etc.) to the homeless,' John says on his website, homelessgear.com."

Fort Collins Coloradoan, July 29, 2010: (Op-Ed) Colorado must prove that kids really do count

"The poverty rate is particularly troubling because Colorado's number of children living in poverty increased from 10 percent to 15 percent from 2000 to 2008... children in our state are falling into poverty at a rapid rate."

Daily Town Talk, July 29, 2010: (Editorial) Our View: Let's prove that Louisiana's kids count

"It is truly disheartening to see Louisiana ranked 49th in the Kids Count Data Book for the ninth straight year. For far too long, Louisiana's high poverty rate has been the root cause of Louisiana's poor rankings on many of these indicators."

Daily Record, July 29, 2010: (Op-Ed) Homeless "drop-in" center worthy of support

"The homeless in Morris County are able to find overnight lodging at Homeless Solutions, which operates a shelter in Morris Township. But what happens during the day?"

The Cincinnati Enquirer, July 29, 2010: Project Connect lets kids be kids

"Odell Fantroy, 10, is part of a homeless family forced to live with relatives. Dacia Roberts, 9, and her mother spent much of 2009 living in emergency housing Downtown. 'It's just hard,' she said of shelter life. 'You can't have any of your stuff.'"

The Burlington Free Press, July 29, 2010: Williston summer school offers twist

"In Vermont and the nation, low-income children typically score lower than middle- and upper-income children on standardized tests. Some research suggests low-income children slide academically in summer, while higher-income children continue to learn."

USA TODAY, July 28, 2010: Clock ticking for foreclosure aid

"The deadlines have forced some communities to shift their focus away from single-family homes and toward multifamily or rental housing to spend the money quickly and meet low-income set-aside rules."

The New York Times, July 28, 2010: A Fair Exchange

"In Massachusetts, the health insurance reform plan instituted in 2006 by Gov. Mitt Romney used existing health expenditures to offer insurance subsidies to individuals with incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty line..."

The New York Times, July 28, 2010: States Are Battling Health Law While Working to Follow It

"There are more uninsured residents of Texas... than there are people in 33 states. The state's elected officials might be expected, therefore, to cheer a federal health care law that is likely to deliver billions of dollars from Washington to Austin and cover millions of low-income Texans."

The New York Times, July 28, 2010: Founding a Charity at 6, and Walking Across the Country for It at 12

"The boy, Zachary L. Bonner, has walked nearly 1,950 miles from his home outside Tampa, Fla., to this spot in the desert, and he intends to walk another 500 miles or so to the Pacific Ocean, all to raise money for homeless children."

Shreveport Times, July 28, 2010: Explore health-care field through Goodwill

"Good Prospects will allow Goodwill to customize services to help people in North Louisiana find jobs, earn paychecks and care for their families."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 28, 2010: From victim to victor in life

"The concept, based on lessons he learned through his rough upbringing, his time at Tech and his successful segue to a meaningful life, offered teens in the state's foster care system the chance to develop their own visions for the future and specific goals to achieve their dreams."

The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 28, 2010: New Jersey women's health centers react to cuts

"New Jersey's family planning health centers are bracing for reduced hours, layoffs, and even closings after Gov. Christie's veto of a bill to restore $7.5 million for women's health services."

The Philadelphia Daily News, July 28, 2010: 40,000 city properties. Abandoned. Now what?

"'I think we've got to talk about what land-use priorities are,' said Gillen, who stressed that the city has not yet decided the next move. 'Is it a priority to give land to people who operate homeless shelters? Is it a priority to give land to people who develop jobs?'"

Chicago Sun Times, July 28, 2010: Mort sold deli food; his caring was free

"'. . . He loved to take care of people. No matter who it was, a homeless person, he never turned anyone away.' A sandwich, a job, a place to stay, for Melman, Mort gave no less than the bond that created his wildly successful empire, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 28, 2010: In new report, children in Missouri gain a bit State improves to No. 31 in quality of life

"The study, which uses indicators such as child poverty, teen pregnancy, child death and high school graduation rates to track child welfare, warned that far more of the nation's children are living in poverty, and those numbers are expected to increase."

 

  1. © 2010 Spotlight on Poverty
  2. -
  3. Site by Treefort