Hello, my name is Bridget Ferrigan and I serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA through Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) at Olivet College. Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAs) use their year of national service to work to eliminate poverty in their areas. Michigan Campus Compact places VISTA members at different member campuses across the state to work with students, staff, and faculty to promote volunteerism, community engagement, and service-learning as a means to end poverty there.With the current economy, we’ve been hearing a lot about situational poverty—poverty caused by sudden changes in areas like employment status, disability status, or household composition. The main contributor to household finances could be losing a job, becoming wheelchair-bound and facing new challenges, or leaving the household. Any of these can plunge a family into poverty. Situational poverty is usually temporary. Another job can be found, disability benefits can be used to support the household, etc.
Situational poverty often goes hand-in-hand with relative poverty—living below the recognized standards or customs of a community. When you lack the diet, health, amenities, standards, services, and/or activities your neighbors have, you live in relative poverty. Often, those in relative poverty do not have resource access to get out of poverty.
In Michigan, however, getting out of situational and relative poverty is especially difficult. With jobs being cut by the thousands and nothing coming in to replace them, it is hard to get to a point where one can support their family or have certain necessary things their peers have. Even working full-time (40 hours) at a minimum wage ($7.40) job to support a family of four, it is not enough to be above the federal poverty line ($18,100), even before taxes.
I feel this is where we as AmeriCorps members can help. We can unite communities, educate individuals and families, and bring underserved populations the resources and opportunities they need.
How do you see yourself working with your community, and those who live in need, to eradicate poverty? What resources do you have that you can share with others?
2 comments:
I try to lead kids though example. I did not grow up in a home that was well off at all, but I endured and now I'm going to make the big bucks - teaching!
But seriously, one of the best things we can do is just show that attitude is most important. Too many children are stuck in poverty and decide too quickly that they will remain in that income bracket for the rest of their lives. They say things like "well, I'll just drop out get my GED and work construction." When really their path to college is putting some effort into their education now so it pays off in the long run. I would not have been able to attend school if it wasn't for some federal and state financial aid.
-U.P. americorps
Bridget,
Wonderful discussion of how AmeriCorps members respond to changing needs in our communities. As a Program Director it pleases me everyday to see the impact my members are having. Though we don't deal with poverty, our common connection as members and programs is the same--to help our communities thrive! Great job to all of our members that are making Michigan a healthier, cleaner and safer place to live.
Lisha Ramsdell
Huron Pines AmeriCorps
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