Janurary 10, 2008 marks the first anniversary of the Catholic Charities USA Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. In its first year, the Campaign received endorsements from more than 4,500 individuals amd more than 390 organizations, including a number from the Diocese of Youngstown.
The four main focus areas for the Campaign are improviing food and nutrition programs, increasing access to health care, enabling more people to get affordable housing, and promoting greater economic security for the poor and vulnerable through programs that support work and strengthen families.
A 2007 paper on the inter-relationships between poverty and racism analyzes social policy and calls upon Catholics and others of good will to engage in work for social justice.
Leglislation to help those living in poverty that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in the past year included a raise in the Minimum Wage; reforms to the student loan program; and additional resources to help low-income families afford heat this winter.
In the Diocese of Youngstown, efforts to raise awareness and address the reality of poverty in our communities were initiated, including:
- Promoting the endorsement of the Campaign among staff, board members, volunteers, organizations, institutions, and others concerned with the work of Catholic Charities.
- Providing a staff in-service to introduce the Campaign and develop strategies for reducing poverty in our diocese.
- Developing press releases and publications to keep Catholics and others of good will in our diocese informed on Campaign activities, both nationally and locally.
- Establishing Ohio Benefit Bank sites at each of our Catholic Charities social services agencies in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull Counties to help low-income individuals and families to access public benefit programs.
- Partnering with local organizations, groups and funders to examine the root causes of poverty and investigate activities and processes that might be applied to our local area.
Catholic Charities USA, as well as Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Youngstown will continue their efforts to recude poverty through service, advocacy and convening on behalf of the poor and vulnerable in our country and in our local communities.
Benefit Bank makes a difference for families living and working in the Dicoese of Youngstown
"Paula," a single mother with a three year-old son, came to Catholic Charities for assistance with an electric bill. Working a part-time job, 
Paula was having a difficult time paying her bills on time each month. The emergency assistance case worker at the Agency asked Paula if she would like to take advantage of the Benefit Bank, a service provided on-site with the use of a computer in the case worker's office. Paula thought that because she was working - albeit part-time - she would not be eligible for any type of public benefits. However after the Benefits Bank session was completed, Paula was glad to learn that she qualified for food stamps, and her son was eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Each year, millions of individuals and families fail to receive the money and benefits due to them and, as a result, more than $35 billion in government benefits go unclaimed annually. Others like Paula are taking advantage of the Beneftit Bank offered at Catholic Charities, as well as other social service agences, faith-based institutions and community organizations.
More infomation about the Benefit Bank is available by visiting www.thebenefitbank.com
Office of Social Action Tackles Issue on Local Poverty
The Diocesan Office of Social Action is currently involved with two important initiatives to reduce poverty in the Mahoning Valley.
The Office of Social Action/Catholic Campaign for Human Development is partnering with the Wean Foundation to engage grassroots leaders (persons living in or who have broken out of poverty; academics, government, non profit and for profit) in the Mahoning Valley to 1) discuss the experience of poverty, 2)analyze root causes, 3) review the national and local literature of structural issues around poverty, and 4) investigate actions/activities/processes/projects that could work in a local area. Check out this Participatory Leadership Project website and/or join this effort.
The Office of Social Action/Catholic Campaign for Human Development is working with a local group in the Mahoning Valley to establish a Time Bank: The Time Bank of the Mahoning Watershed. See Time Banks, Washington, D. C., the website for the Washington, D. C.-based alternative currency project. http://www.timebanks.org/
Nationally, 36.5 million people live in poverty, and Catholic Charities agencies serve more than 7.8 million people each year. How can you help Catholic Charities reach its goal of reducing poverty in half by the year 2020? Visit the Catholic Charities USA website at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org and endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. Check this website often for updates on what Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Youngstown is doing to eliminate local poverty.
