Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Extending Opportunities for the Poor
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What do we mean by extending opportunities for the poor? We can create opportunities for the poor in the areas of: Employment Education Life Skills Survival Social connectedness
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas The way to bring the planning of opportunities to reality is through advocacy.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Why extend opportunities for the poor? Any civilized society has an obligation to help its poorest members. Decreasing poverty adds to the workforce. Fewer poor people reduces the tax burden on everyone. Decreasing poverty means increasing the number of consumers, and thereby strengthening the overall economy.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Why extend opportunities for the poor? (cont.) Adults rising out of poverty can break a generational cycle. Reducing poverty decreases medical costs. Reducing poverty increases diversity in all sectors of society. Providing opportunities for the poor gives more people a stake in the society.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Why extend opportunities for the poor? (cont.) Providing opportunities for the poor increases equity. Providing opportunities for the poor can improve their and their children's lives.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas When should you work to extend opportunities for the poor? When there's an election approaching. When a comprehensive new initiative is starting. When publicity about poverty or other issues opens doors to opportunity. When there's a crisis that people simply can't ignore.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Who should work to extend opportunities for the poor? Government. Private funders. Community institutions. Business. Human service or other non-profit or community- based organizations. Grass roots or other community groups and community members.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How do you extend opportunities for the poor?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Some general guidelines for creating opportunities for the poor: Assess the needs of the population you're concerned with. Where possible, enlist the people you hope to benefit in the planning process. Treat people with respect. Devise opportunities that set clear and reachable goals, where participants can see the changes they've made.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Some general guidelines for creating opportunities for the poor (cont.): Provide the emotional and psychological support necessary for people to change their way of thinking about the world and their place in it. Provide the survival support necessary for people to make the transition to the next step. Leave people enough time to make the change.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Provide employment opportunities: Pre-employment skills training. Career counseling. Employment training. Actual employment. Social entrepreneurship and micro-credit.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Provide educational opportunities: Basic education and ESOL. Post-secondary education. Education for the children of poverty.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Provide training in life skills: Economic literacy. Parenting and other family obligations. Health information and healthy practices. Civic participation. General counseling.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Provide other opportunities: Affordable housing. Providing capital. Preference for low-income applicants. Create social capital. Make sure people know about the opportunities available. Advocate, advocate, advocate.