Arkansas: Reporting the sad truths of child poverty
Debilitating poverty continues to be painfully present in Arkansas. Staff members from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families recently traveled to the Arkansas Delta region to lead discussion groups on various subjects. AACF’s Pat Bodenhamer led the discussion, “Cutting Poverty in Half by 2020.” She asked three questions: What are the negative effects of poverty? What are the causes of poverty? And what can we do?
The answers were similar and heartbreaking. One woman from Helena-West Helena summed it up best when she describes her life in the delta, “We seem to be a people without vision and a town without hope.” As heartbreaking as her answer was, it unfortunately rings true throughout many parts of the state. But the rallying cry from many of the participants at the end of the discussion in Helena-West Helena was quite different—there can be hope in the delta, and they do have the will to abolish poverty. They joyfully joined the Half in Ten Campaign.
AACF will release a report in May from Senior Policy Analyst Kim Reeve, “Child Poverty in Arkansas 2010: A Deepening Problem.” This report addresses the increasing number of children living in poverty in Arkansas. AACF includes information about the Half in Ten campaign in the report, and highlights policy solutions such as revenue for quality child care, the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and other poverty fighting strategies.
Pat Bodenhamer also gave a presentation to the Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Reducing Poverty and Promoting Economic Opportunities, a committee made up of 22 bipartisan state legislators, service agencies, and advocacy groups. She handed out Half in Ten resources and encouraged all the members and organizations serving on the task force to sign on to the Half in Ten pledge. She is contacting each member by phone or email to further encourage members to read more in depth about the Half in Ten campaign and to endorse their efforts.
The summer months will be dedicated to meeting with elected officials and candidates to inform them of the importance of working together to cut in half by 2020. AACF is committed to working with and finding solutions to help our families step up out of poverty.
Tags: Arkansas
