Advocating a Circle of Protection

This week I am in Washington DC with 500 fellow Catholic Social Ministry representatives focusing on advocating with our elected Senators and Representatives for the lives and dignity of the poor and vulnerable members of our communities as Congress and the Administration face the necessary and difficult task of crafting the FY 2013 budget.

Among the principles that we support are:
1. The nation needs to substantially reduce future deficits, but not at the expense of the hungry and poor.
2. Funding focused on reducing poverty should not be cut.  It should be made as effective as possible, but not cut.
3. A fundamental task is to create jobs and spur economic growth.  Decent jobs at decent wages are the best path out of poverty, and restoring growth is a powerful way to reduce deficits.

These are difficult challenges, we know that.  But the fundamental moral measure of our nation's budget and economic policies is whether they enhance or undermine the lives and dignity of those most in need.  Sadly, political pressure and expediency often leaves poor children and families missing in the national debate nd without a place at the table.

Our nation needs a genuinely bi-partisan commitment to focus on the common good of all and on the special needs of the poor and vulnerable people struggling to live in dignity.

John Berry
Executive Director and CEO

JANUARY IS POVERTY AWARENESS MONTH

Poverty in America not only affects the millions of people who are deprived of the common necessities to live, but it also affects the idea of progression and hopefulness in this country. The more than 37 million people in America living in squalor, poverty, and hunger are not invisible. In an effort to bring attention to this national crisis, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) designated January as “Poverty in America Awareness Month.” 

As Vincentians we see the impact of poverty and need on those that we serve every day.  We know first-hand, what poverty and dependence look like and how they destroy lives, hopes, dreams, and aspirations. We pray and cry with children who are hungry and parents who have lost hope.  It is what we are, it is what we do.

In spite of the seemingly limitless prosperity that many Americans enjoy, millions of others are going hungry, foregoing medical care, doing without winter coats and gloves, struggling to break free from poverty.  Last year, 46.2 million Americans lived below the poverty line — $22,314 a year for a family of four — marking the fourth year in a row that poverty has increased. With 46.2 million residents, Poverty, USA, is the largest state in America.

 

Today, the unemployment rate stands at 8.6 percent and despite recent economic growth more than 43 million Americans -including 14.7 million children - live in poverty, the highest in the more than 50 years that the data has been tracked.  Yet a recent Gallup poll found that only 5% of Americans believe poverty and homelessness are important problems for the country.  So let’s look at some facts and make our own determination:

• Over 25% of the children in the US under the age of six live in poverty.
• The poverty rate among women climbed to 14.5 percent in 2010 from 13.9 percent in 2009, the highest in 17 years.
• As poverty surged last year to its highest level since 1993, median household income declined, leaving the typical American household earning less in inflation-adjusted dollars than it did in 1997.
• One out of every six Americans is now being served by at least one government anti-poverty program.
• Child homelessness in the United States is now 33 percent higher than it was back in 2007.
• More than 50 million Americans are now on Medicaid, the U.S. government health care program designed principally to help the poor.
• According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, 1.6 million American children "were living on the street, in homeless shelters or motels, or doubled up with other families last year".
• The percentage of children living in poverty in the United States increased from 16.9 percent in 2006 to nearly 22 percent in 2010. 
• One out of every seven mortgages in the United States was either delinquent or in foreclosure during the first quarter of 2010.
• The number of children living in poverty in the U.S. has risen for four years in a row.
• There are 10 different U.S. states where at least one out of every four babies is born to a family living in poverty.
• 28% of all U.S. households have at least one member that is looking for a full-time job.
• According to the National Center for Children in Poverty 40.1% of all children that live in Atlanta are living in poverty.
• There are seven million children in the United States today that are not covered by health insurance at all.
• Today, one out of every seven Americans is on food stamps and one out of every four American children is on food stamps.
• It is being projected that approximately 50 percent of all U.S. children will be on food stamps at some point in their lives before they reach the age of 18.
• In 2010, 42 percent of all single mothers in the United States were on food stamps.
• More than 20 million U.S. children rely on school meal programs to keep from going hungry.

It is hard to fathom why, in a country so rich with resources, we continue to ignore the issue of poverty among Americans. There appears to be no courage among our political leadership (of either party) to address poverty and the issue of need among so many Americans.  Many proposals to balance the budget place a disproportionate burden on the poor; cutting vital programs that would keep our children off of the streets and in school,  keep families in their homes or fight hunger. Consequently, many Americans are being forced to make hard decisions between paying the rent, buying food, receiving health care or paying for utilities. These are impossible decisions that no one should have to make.

As we emerge from the holiday season, it is critical that we recommit to the fight against poverty and pursue a strong, sustained, and comprehensive response to help end hunger, homelessness and poverty in America. By defeating poverty, we will restore our failing economy and put our nation back on a path to prosperity.

The causes of poverty are complex - as are the solutions. Yet, there is much we can do, as individuals and as community groups, to work with other Americans to address the root causes of poverty. The first step to solving any problem is understanding it - educating ourselves and others about the true state of American poverty, its enormity, conditions and effects.

Here are three simple steps you can take to become informed and inform others about poverty in America. (Adopted from the USCCB ‘Poverty in America’ website).

ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF

Watch the local news. Read the newspapers. Look for stories about poverty in your community - and be aware of policies and programs in your area affecting poor and low-income families, including those related to affordable housing, access to health care, public transportation, and good quality education.  The St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta Voice of the Poor Committee is a great place to get started.

INFORM OTHERS

After familiarizing yourself with the facts about poverty in the United States, share what you've learned with others - at home, school, work, church, or wherever else opportunities arise. Others in your community will benefit from your informed viewpoint. An honest, open dialogue is a good step toward addressing the problem.

Be aware of how you speak about the poor in America. Using derogatory terms when talking about low-income families or others experiencing poverty only serves to de-humanize the very real people struggling with economically difficult situations. And if you encounter someone else speaking in an insulting manner about people in poverty, use the information you've learned to share your understanding and compassion.

If you are a parent, talk to your children about poverty in America, about its causes and what we as individuals and as a nation should and can do to help those in need find permanent solutions to the problem.

SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

As mentioned earlier, as Vincentians we have a unique perspective on the real-world issues of poverty, need, and dependence.  It is critical that we share that knowledge and understanding with others.  We are always available to local organizations like the PTA, community or service groups, church congregation or professional association to talk about the issue. Contact the St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta main office and arrange for a speaker to come and present.  Also, consider inviting a representative from a local anti-poverty organization to speak to talk about what's being done to combat poverty in your area.

We can only make a difference when we take action. 

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result. ~ Gandhi

John Berry

Executive Director

Keep it Real All Year Long

Wrap the presents, decorate the tree, bake the cookies, shop, get to the next party, write the cards, shop again...it seems like it never ends. And it seems like it starts earlier every year (I think I saw the first Christmas display in August this year - seriously!). It's so very easy to get caught up in all the business of Christmas, so my wish for you this holiday season is a peaceful Christmas full of the most important things.

I know that for me it is important to take a moment and make sure that I keep this holiday season a time of celebration and love. I try to not let Christmas become a chore. 

The beauty of the Christmas season can remind us of all the beauty in life that we take for granted; our family, our friends, and our faith.

So celebrate the simple things of great wonder - that special light in the eyes of a child as they behold the wonder of the Christmas tree or the dancing flames of the candles on the Hanukkah Menorah; the smiles of people we may not even know but who give us the simple gift of human dignity that a smile represents; the closeness of family and friends in this season. 

These are the true gifts of Christmas that gladden our souls and warm our hearts.  Long after the batteries are dead on the toys, the apps have been downloaded onto the new tablet, the book has been read, and the food has been eaten there remains three most important gifts that endure - faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Whether you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas; the two Hanukkah miracles of the great Jewish military victory and miraculous supply of oil for the Temple; the celebration of family, community and culture during Kwanzaa; or another, let us each commit that the good things of this season will stay with us and in us to grow throughout the year.

We at SVdP Atlanta wish all of you our best and thank you for your continued support this past year. 

Peace and God Bless,

John

With Time or Money...Change a Life Every Day

Note:  The following posting originally appeared as an Op-ed piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on November 27, 2010

It was recently reported that according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Georgia's poverty rate was the third highest in the country, with more than 1.8 million residents counted among the poor; an increase of over 300,000 people. This information validated an increasing trend in dependency and need that we have been observing at the St. Vincent de Paul Society over the last 3 plus years. That trend has driven increases in requests for assistance across the board; for food, clothing, financial assistance, and help in finding employment.  Unfortunately it is a situation that we don't see getting better any time soon.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has served people in need in 35 counties in north and middle Georgia since 1903; and we have seen dramatic increases in requests for help every one of them.  The volume of requests began increasing in 2009 after the economic downturn began and have steadily grown each year since.  The ‘hard’ numbers are sobering.  In 2009 we helped over 179,000 people with $13.5 million in financial, material, and educations assistance; in 2010 that number grew to 189,500 people and almost $17.0 million in assistance.   

One of the most striking things St. Vincent de Paul has seen over the past few years has been the change in the socioeconomic profile of those seeking our help. More people are being driven into dependency and situational poverty due to job loss, underemployment, illness without medical insurance support, or other factors. The jobs crisis has also left many without work for so long that they are no longer receiving unemployment benefits.

That change in need has had a financial impact on SVdP’s ability to help. There has been a distinct increase in the amount of money needed to meet the needs of those we serve. For example, instead of requests for $300-500 to help with rent payments, people need help with $1000 mortgage payments. Some who previously donated have become clients.

With so many hurting, how can you help? Of course every nonprofit can use monetary donations, but there are many other ways. Hold a food drive in your neighborhood. Use the buy-one-get-one-free coupons and donate the free item to your local food pantry. Brew your own coffee and donate the $3-5 you save daily. Volunteer with a nonprofit. But most of all – care and become involved.  Make a difference and change a life – every day. 

John Berry

CEO and Executive Director

SVdP Receives $5000 Award from CITGO

On Tuesday, October 18th SVdP Atlanta accepted a donation of $5000 from CITGO and SA White Oil Company for fuel for our trucks. This was part of the Citgo Fueling Good summer program.  The Citgo award stated "For its ongoing commitment to improving and enhancing the quality of life for families in need, SVdP was recognized by CITGO and S.A. White, a Marietta-based CITGO Marketer, with $5,000 in CITGO gift cards to help extend its ripple of good and the impact of its work."

Shown above, CEO and Executive Director John Berry receives the award from Tim Peabody, Senior Territory Manager for CITGO and Marvin Aiken, Vice President of S.A. White.

Courage, Success, and The "New Normal"

Many of us were saddened this week to hear of the death of Steve Jobs, the technology genius and innovator and co-founder of Apple.  He was only 56 years old and lost and long battle with pancreatic cancer.  He and I were born in the same month in the same year, so his untimely passing was something that caused me to pause and reflect maybe more deeply than just out of respect and admiration for his incredible accomplishments.

I reflected back a number of years ago when I had an opportunity to meet and spend some time with Steve.  I was running a technology business at the time and we met in California not long after he had made the commencement address at Stanford University.    That address, especially now, has become quite famous and oft-quoted, but at the time it was still relatively unknown outside of the tech community and people who were admirers of Steve.

When we spoke I noted he similarity, in my mind, between his advice to the graduates, quoted below, and advice from Jack Welch, another of the CEOs that I admired greatly and who I had worked for at GE.  In his address Steve had said the following…

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

He made that statement in the context of his fight against cancer, and how facing death had directed his focus in a different way.  But what we talked about was a ‘rule’ that Welch talked about often with the GE management team that had a similar context; “Control your own destiny, or someone else will.”

So how does this fit in with SVdP Atlanta and our work. 

Well, I think first you have to know something else about Steve Jobs that you may or may not have heard over the last few days.  And that is that he was the adopted son of middle-class parents, that he dropped out of college after one semester because of the financial burden on his family, and that he got fired from his first CEO job at Apple; the company he had founded.  And yet, because of his intelligence, determination, focus, and drive he became one of the richest men in the world who has left a lasting influence on how we live our lives that will continue for generations to come.

How can we take that lesson and apply it to the people we serve?  How can we use that example to support those who are struggling?  The Steve Jobs story could have easily gone the other way any of number of times.  The number of ‘forks in the road’ that he faced – one leading to success, one to despair – were numerous.  Yet each time he ended up on the right one.  Why?  Maybe there was some luck, probably there was some timing, and definitely there was some determination and drive.

But ultimately the only one, the only one that mattered was determination and drive.  Steve Jobs wanted to succeed.  Steve Jobs refused to let himself fail.  And he won; big time.

When we deal with the people we serve we often can’t give them everything they need.  We can’t pay all their bills, we can’t get them a job, and we can’t fix broken relationship and bad life choices.  But what we CAN do is help them understand that they ultimately control their own destiny.  They can make the changes and commitments in their lives that will lead to success; success that is defined by their dreams and their aspirations and their abilities. 

I think that all too often we drown people’s dreams in our own definitions and aspirations of what we define as success.  And I don’t mean ‘we’ as individuals, I mean ‘we’ as society.  We define success as a college education and yet we have people with four year degrees and forty years’ worth of debt working for minimum wage at the gas station because they can’t apply their degree to the real work of the world; yet they have creative talent, craft skills, or labor skills that they would love to use and which would offer the opportunity for a good living and a shot at real success.  We have people living from paycheck to paycheck because we define success as a 3,000 square foot house in a gated community and a BMW in the driveway, We have people drowning in credit card debt at 29.99% interest because we define success as each of the kids having a car on their 16^th birthday and designer label clothes to wear to pre-school.

There is nothing wrong with success.  As long as it is something that is internally defined and internally driven.  During this re-creation of the economic reality of our day we are going to have to make sure that those we help (and we ourselves) understand that there is a 'new normal'.  And the new normal is that there is no more normal.  We will have to adapt and change to meet the changing world at a pace that is even more rapid than it has ever been.  So it becomes that much more critical that we make sure that we have the courage and the heart to do what we know is right for us.   

I’ll leave you with something else Steve Jobs said in 2005 at Stanford. 

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."

John Berry

CEO and Executive Director