Showing posts with label poverty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poverty. Show all posts
Friday, October 05, 2007
The Future of Children: A Report on the State of Children in Poverty in Post-Katrina America
Here's an interesting report from "The Future of Children" on the state of child poverty in America after Hurricane Katrina.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Salvation Army's Position Statement on Poverty and Economic Justice
Below you will find The Salvation Army's public "position statement" on the subject of poverty and economic justice. I sensed it important to post this as some of my previous posts have been focusing upon childhood poverty in the U.S.A.
This quest to understand poverty in America emerged after I was deeply disturbed with a report from UNICEF that was shared with me a by a friend, Dr. Lynell Johnson earlier this year (An Overview of Child Well-Being in Rich Countries). In the report, America was voted the second worst country in an assessment of the lives and well-being of children and adolescents in economically advanced nations.
This reality has been haunting me for months. This is one of the major reasons why I am so glad that I do not only have the opportunity to respond as an individual, but that I am part of an organization that has chosen to make at the center of its' mission to be motivated by the love of God to care for the poor and the marginalized.
"What is a position statement?", you ask...
"Position Statements briefly set out the views of The Salvation Army on moral or social issues of current relevance. The statements articulate the gospel values and principles on which the Army takes its stand." (The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory's website)
Here is the statement:
Poverty & Economic Justice
The measure of any society is how well it cares for its weakest citizens. The persistence both of widespread poverty and indifference to that poverty is morally unacceptable. Jesus Christ motivates us to love our neighbor in practical ways. Our response to the poor is a measure of our obedience to and love for God.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ should free us from the enticements of consumerism and desire for individualistic gain. As Salvationists, we remain committed to The Salvation Army's historic mission to care for the poor and marginalized. Therefore, individually and corporately, we will work to eliminate poverty by:- Providing empowering practical assistance to poor people in our personal, family, and vocational lives, and in our congregational and organizational practices-through prayer, listening and dedication of our time and resources.- Making relational and financial choices that promote economic opportunity and justice for those in poverty.-
Evaluating public policies by how they respond to people who are poor.- Challenging racism and other attitudes that promote inequality and seeking reconciliation and harmony among all groups in our society.- Building community capacity, nurturing the bonds of family and community, and protecting the dignity of each person.- Partnering with other agencies in common commitment and action to overcome poverty in our own communities, our nation, and our world.
This quest to understand poverty in America emerged after I was deeply disturbed with a report from UNICEF that was shared with me a by a friend, Dr. Lynell Johnson earlier this year (An Overview of Child Well-Being in Rich Countries). In the report, America was voted the second worst country in an assessment of the lives and well-being of children and adolescents in economically advanced nations.
This reality has been haunting me for months. This is one of the major reasons why I am so glad that I do not only have the opportunity to respond as an individual, but that I am part of an organization that has chosen to make at the center of its' mission to be motivated by the love of God to care for the poor and the marginalized.
"What is a position statement?", you ask...
"Position Statements briefly set out the views of The Salvation Army on moral or social issues of current relevance. The statements articulate the gospel values and principles on which the Army takes its stand." (The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory's website)
Here is the statement:
Poverty & Economic Justice
The measure of any society is how well it cares for its weakest citizens. The persistence both of widespread poverty and indifference to that poverty is morally unacceptable. Jesus Christ motivates us to love our neighbor in practical ways. Our response to the poor is a measure of our obedience to and love for God.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ should free us from the enticements of consumerism and desire for individualistic gain. As Salvationists, we remain committed to The Salvation Army's historic mission to care for the poor and marginalized. Therefore, individually and corporately, we will work to eliminate poverty by:- Providing empowering practical assistance to poor people in our personal, family, and vocational lives, and in our congregational and organizational practices-through prayer, listening and dedication of our time and resources.- Making relational and financial choices that promote economic opportunity and justice for those in poverty.-
Evaluating public policies by how they respond to people who are poor.- Challenging racism and other attitudes that promote inequality and seeking reconciliation and harmony among all groups in our society.- Building community capacity, nurturing the bonds of family and community, and protecting the dignity of each person.- Partnering with other agencies in common commitment and action to overcome poverty in our own communities, our nation, and our world.
Growing Up in Poverty - 20/20 Documentary
Here is a YouTube link to a very moving documentary that came out earlier this year on 20/20 called, Waiting on the World to Change: The Hopes, Dreams and Hardships of Children in America's Most Dangerous City. This piece moved me so much - it reminded me of why I have dedicated my life to reclaiming children and youth through the ministries of The Salvation Army.
"While little children go hungry as they do now... I'll Fight!" William Booth
"While little children go hungry as they do now... I'll Fight!" William Booth
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Bibliography from HOPE for Children in Poverty
I'm compiling a list of books referenced in HOPE for Children in Poverty. This is one of the most amazing lists of resources I have come across in recent days:
Bakke, O.M.; & McNeil, B. (2005). When children became people: The birth of childhood in early christianity. Augsburg Fortress Press.
Berstein, J.; Brocht, C.; & Spade-Aguilar, M. (2000). How much is enough? Basic family budgets for working families. Washington, DC: Economic Policy Institute.
Boxil, N. (1990) Homeless children: The watchers and the waiters. Binghampton: NY: Haworth Press.
Brendtro, L.K.; Brokenleg, M.; & Van Bockern, S. (2002) Reclaiming youth at risk: Our hope for the future, rev. ed. Bloomington, Il: Solution Tree.
Brooks-Gunn, J.B. & Duncan, G.J. (summer/fall, 1997). "The effects of poverty on children," The future of children, children and poverty 7, no.2.
Bunge, M.J. (2001). The child in christian thought. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Children's Defense Fund. (August, 2005) "Defining poverty and why it matters for children." http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/DocServer/definingpoverty.pdf?docID=390. (Downloaded: July, 2007).
Children's Defense Fund. (1994) Wasting America's future. Boston: Beacon.
Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C SNAP). (2004) The safety net in action: Protecting the health and nutrition of young American children. Boston: C SNAP. (p.1)
Claiman, V.; Butler, D.; & Boyatt, J. (1994) Acting on your faith: Congregations making a difference, A guide to success in service and social action. Boston: Insights.
Couture, P. (2000) Seeing children, seeing God: A practical theology of children and poverty. Nashville, TN: Abingdon.
Crawford, P.M. et al. (January-March 2004). "How can Californians be overweight and hungry?" California Agriculture 58: 1.
Dahl, G. & Lochner, L. (August, 2005). "The impact of family income on child achievement," Institute for Research on Poverty, Discussion Paper 1305-05.
Daley, S. & Guy, K. (1994) Welcome the child: A child advocacy guide for churches. New York: Friendship Press and Children's Defense Fund.
DeNavas-Walt, C.; Proctor, B.; & Lee, C.H. (2006). Current population reports, P60-231. "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005" U.S. Census Bureau. (p.52)
Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). Suicide: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dodson, L. (1999) Don't call us out of name: The untold lives of women and girls in poor America. Boston: Beacon Press.
Edelman, M.W. (1995) Guide my feet: Prayers and meditations on loving and working for children. Boston: Beacon Hill. (p.183f.)
Ehlig, B. & Payne, R. (1999) What every which member should know about poverty. Aha! Process.
Elliott, B. (2004). Street saints: Renewing America's cities. Radnor, PA: Templeton Foundation Press.
Fass, S. & Cauthen, N.K. (September, 2005). "Child poverty in states hit by Katrina," New York: National Center for Children in Poverty, Fact Sheet No 1.
Forum on Child and Family Statistics. (2006). "America's children in brief: Key national indicators of well-being, 2006."
Forum on Child and Family Statistics. (2005). "America's children: Key national indicators of well-being, 2005."
Frank, D.A. (July 16, 2003). Statement before the subcommittee on education reform -Committee on education and the workforce. U.S. House of Representatives.
Huston, A.C. (1991) Children in poverty: Child development and public policy. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Johnson, J. (2001) Growing compassionate kids: Helping kids see beyond their backyard. Nashville: Upper Room.
Keller, T. (1989) Ministries of mercy: The call of the jericho road. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R.
KidsCount. (2006). 2006 Kids count data book: State profiles of child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Kozol, J. (1996) Amazing grace: The lives of children and the conscience of a nation, 2nd ed. New York: Harper Perenniel.
Larson, D.B.; & Johnson, B.R. (1998) Religion: The forgotten factor in cutting youth crime and saving at-risk urban youth. Jeremiah Project Report 98-2. New York: The Manhattan Insititute.
Ludwig, J. & Mayer, S. (Fall, 2006) "Culture and the intergenerational transmission of poverty: The prevention paradox." The Future of Children 16, 2: 175.
Lupton, R. (2007) Compassion, justice, and the christian life: Rethinking ministry to the poor. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.
Mayer, S.E. (1997) What money can't buy: Family income and children's life chances. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Miller, K & Wilson, M. (1985) The church that cares: Identifying and responding to needs in your community. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press.
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). (September, 2006) Basic facts about low-income children: Birth to age 18. New York: Columbia University: Mailman School of Public Health.
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). (April, 2006) On the edge in the empire state: New York's low-income children. New York: Columbia University: Mailman School of Public Health.
National Coalition for the Homeless. (June, 2006). "Fact sheet #2: How many people experience homelessness."
Nord, M.; Andrews, M.; & Carlson, S. (2005). Household security in the United States, 2004. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture.
Odom, R. (2006) Suffer the children: The impact of poverty on America's future. Minneapolis: Love INC. (p.4)
Perkins, J. (1995) Restoring at-risk communities: Doing it together and doing it right. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Rank, M.R. (2004). One nation, underprivileged: Why American poverty affects us all. New York: Oxford University Press.
Regnerus, M.D. (2002) "Making the grade: The influence of religion upon the academic performance of youth in disadvantaged communities," CRRUCS Report. Philadelphia, PA: Center for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society.
Richardson, W. (1996) Reclaiming the urban family: How to mobilize the church as a family center. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Roehlkepartain, J.L. (2000) Teaching kids to care and share. Nashville: Abingdon.
Rusaw, R. & Swanson, E. (2004) The externally focused church. Loveland, CO: Group.
Sampson, R.; Raudenbush, S.; & Earls, F. (August, 1997) "Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy," Science 277.
Sanfers, C. (1997) Ministry at the margins. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Schein, V.E. (1995) Working for the margins: Voices of mothers in poverty. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
Schwarz, J.E. & Volgy, T.J. (2004). Forgotten Americans: Thirty million working poor in the land of opportunity. New York: Norton.
Sherman, A.L. (2001) The abcs of community ministry: A curriculum for congregations. Washington, DC: Hudson Institute.
Shipler, D.K. (2004). The working poor: Invisible in America. New York: Knopf.
Sider, R.J. (2007) Just generosity: A new vision for overcoming poverty in America , 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Sider, R.J.; Oldon, P.; & Unruh, H.R. (2002) Churches that make a difference: Reaching your community with good news and good works. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Stanton, G. (?) Suffer the little children. Youthworks College.
Strange. W.A. (1996). Children in the early church. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.
Toppo, G. (June 20, 2006). "Big-City Schools Struggle with Graduation Rates," USA Today.
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (2001). Public elementary/seconday school universe survey, 1999-2000.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (September, 1996). National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Third national incidence study of child abuse and neglect, NIS 3 (Executive Summary).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families. (2006) Child maltreatment 2004.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Browing, K.; Thornberry, T.; & Porter, P. (April, 1999) "Highlights of findings from the Rochester youth development study," OJJDP Fact Sheet #103, FS 99103.
Van Groningen, J. (2005) Communities first. Grand Rapids: CRWRC.
Weber, B. et al. (October, 2005). "A critical review of rural poverty literature: Is there truly a rural effect?" Institute for Research on Poverty, Discussion Paper 1309-05.
Wood, D. (September, 2003). "Effect of child and family poverty on child health in the United States," Pediatrics 112, no.3, 707.
Wood, D. (1994). The church and childhood: Studies in church history. Ecclessiastical History Society.
Bakke, O.M.; & McNeil, B. (2005). When children became people: The birth of childhood in early christianity. Augsburg Fortress Press.
Berstein, J.; Brocht, C.; & Spade-Aguilar, M. (2000). How much is enough? Basic family budgets for working families. Washington, DC: Economic Policy Institute.
Boxil, N. (1990) Homeless children: The watchers and the waiters. Binghampton: NY: Haworth Press.
Brendtro, L.K.; Brokenleg, M.; & Van Bockern, S. (2002) Reclaiming youth at risk: Our hope for the future, rev. ed. Bloomington, Il: Solution Tree.
Brooks-Gunn, J.B. & Duncan, G.J. (summer/fall, 1997). "The effects of poverty on children," The future of children, children and poverty 7, no.2.
Bunge, M.J. (2001). The child in christian thought. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Children's Defense Fund. (August, 2005) "Defining poverty and why it matters for children." http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/DocServer/definingpoverty.pdf?docID=390. (Downloaded: July, 2007).
Children's Defense Fund. (1994) Wasting America's future. Boston: Beacon.
Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C SNAP). (2004) The safety net in action: Protecting the health and nutrition of young American children. Boston: C SNAP. (p.1)
Claiman, V.; Butler, D.; & Boyatt, J. (1994) Acting on your faith: Congregations making a difference, A guide to success in service and social action. Boston: Insights.
Couture, P. (2000) Seeing children, seeing God: A practical theology of children and poverty. Nashville, TN: Abingdon.
Crawford, P.M. et al. (January-March 2004). "How can Californians be overweight and hungry?" California Agriculture 58: 1.
Dahl, G. & Lochner, L. (August, 2005). "The impact of family income on child achievement," Institute for Research on Poverty, Discussion Paper 1305-05.
Daley, S. & Guy, K. (1994) Welcome the child: A child advocacy guide for churches. New York: Friendship Press and Children's Defense Fund.
DeNavas-Walt, C.; Proctor, B.; & Lee, C.H. (2006). Current population reports, P60-231. "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005" U.S. Census Bureau. (p.52)
Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). Suicide: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dodson, L. (1999) Don't call us out of name: The untold lives of women and girls in poor America. Boston: Beacon Press.
Edelman, M.W. (1995) Guide my feet: Prayers and meditations on loving and working for children. Boston: Beacon Hill. (p.183f.)
Ehlig, B. & Payne, R. (1999) What every which member should know about poverty. Aha! Process.
Elliott, B. (2004). Street saints: Renewing America's cities. Radnor, PA: Templeton Foundation Press.
Fass, S. & Cauthen, N.K. (September, 2005). "Child poverty in states hit by Katrina," New York: National Center for Children in Poverty, Fact Sheet No 1.
Forum on Child and Family Statistics. (2006). "America's children in brief: Key national indicators of well-being, 2006."
Forum on Child and Family Statistics. (2005). "America's children: Key national indicators of well-being, 2005."
Frank, D.A. (July 16, 2003). Statement before the subcommittee on education reform -Committee on education and the workforce. U.S. House of Representatives.
Huston, A.C. (1991) Children in poverty: Child development and public policy. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Johnson, J. (2001) Growing compassionate kids: Helping kids see beyond their backyard. Nashville: Upper Room.
Keller, T. (1989) Ministries of mercy: The call of the jericho road. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R.
KidsCount. (2006). 2006 Kids count data book: State profiles of child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Kozol, J. (1996) Amazing grace: The lives of children and the conscience of a nation, 2nd ed. New York: Harper Perenniel.
Larson, D.B.; & Johnson, B.R. (1998) Religion: The forgotten factor in cutting youth crime and saving at-risk urban youth. Jeremiah Project Report 98-2. New York: The Manhattan Insititute.
Ludwig, J. & Mayer, S. (Fall, 2006) "Culture and the intergenerational transmission of poverty: The prevention paradox." The Future of Children 16, 2: 175.
Lupton, R. (2007) Compassion, justice, and the christian life: Rethinking ministry to the poor. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.
Mayer, S.E. (1997) What money can't buy: Family income and children's life chances. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Miller, K & Wilson, M. (1985) The church that cares: Identifying and responding to needs in your community. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press.
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). (September, 2006) Basic facts about low-income children: Birth to age 18. New York: Columbia University: Mailman School of Public Health.
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). (April, 2006) On the edge in the empire state: New York's low-income children. New York: Columbia University: Mailman School of Public Health.
National Coalition for the Homeless. (June, 2006). "Fact sheet #2: How many people experience homelessness."
Nord, M.; Andrews, M.; & Carlson, S. (2005). Household security in the United States, 2004. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture.
Odom, R. (2006) Suffer the children: The impact of poverty on America's future. Minneapolis: Love INC. (p.4)
Perkins, J. (1995) Restoring at-risk communities: Doing it together and doing it right. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Rank, M.R. (2004). One nation, underprivileged: Why American poverty affects us all. New York: Oxford University Press.
Regnerus, M.D. (2002) "Making the grade: The influence of religion upon the academic performance of youth in disadvantaged communities," CRRUCS Report. Philadelphia, PA: Center for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society.
Richardson, W. (1996) Reclaiming the urban family: How to mobilize the church as a family center. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Roehlkepartain, J.L. (2000) Teaching kids to care and share. Nashville: Abingdon.
Rusaw, R. & Swanson, E. (2004) The externally focused church. Loveland, CO: Group.
Sampson, R.; Raudenbush, S.; & Earls, F. (August, 1997) "Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy," Science 277.
Sanfers, C. (1997) Ministry at the margins. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Schein, V.E. (1995) Working for the margins: Voices of mothers in poverty. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
Schwarz, J.E. & Volgy, T.J. (2004). Forgotten Americans: Thirty million working poor in the land of opportunity. New York: Norton.
Sherman, A.L. (2001) The abcs of community ministry: A curriculum for congregations. Washington, DC: Hudson Institute.
Shipler, D.K. (2004). The working poor: Invisible in America. New York: Knopf.
Sider, R.J. (2007) Just generosity: A new vision for overcoming poverty in America , 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Sider, R.J.; Oldon, P.; & Unruh, H.R. (2002) Churches that make a difference: Reaching your community with good news and good works. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Stanton, G. (?) Suffer the little children. Youthworks College.
Strange. W.A. (1996). Children in the early church. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.
Toppo, G. (June 20, 2006). "Big-City Schools Struggle with Graduation Rates," USA Today.
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (2001). Public elementary/seconday school universe survey, 1999-2000.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (September, 1996). National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Third national incidence study of child abuse and neglect, NIS 3 (Executive Summary).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families. (2006) Child maltreatment 2004.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Browing, K.; Thornberry, T.; & Porter, P. (April, 1999) "Highlights of findings from the Rochester youth development study," OJJDP Fact Sheet #103, FS 99103.
Van Groningen, J. (2005) Communities first. Grand Rapids: CRWRC.
Weber, B. et al. (October, 2005). "A critical review of rural poverty literature: Is there truly a rural effect?" Institute for Research on Poverty, Discussion Paper 1309-05.
Wood, D. (September, 2003). "Effect of child and family poverty on child health in the United States," Pediatrics 112, no.3, 707.
Wood, D. (1994). The church and childhood: Studies in church history. Ecclessiastical History Society.
HOPE for Children in Poverty: Profiles and Possibilities
This is the book I have been waiting for somebody to publish for years...HOPE for Children in Poverty: Profiles and Possibilities is one of the most essential tools that I would recommend as a must read for anyone involved in youth work in the United States. Edited by Ron Sider and Heidi Unruh, they take us deep into the world of children and youth who are suffering the ravaging abuse of poverty.
The first section deals with the lives of children in poverty. They are not merely presenting quantitative evidence of poverty, but are also amplifying the voices of these children that qualitatively support why poverty is an issue that desperately needs to be addressed in this nation.
The second section explores the special concerns of children in poverty - addressing the difficulties of family life, and need for reform in education-, health care-, and welfare-systems. However, this book is not simply a rant complaining about the problems - it also looks at the possibilities that exist - profiling (in particular) faith-based initiatives that are responding to the cries of today's youth.
In the third section, they explore Biblical reflection on children in poverty. As an evangelical, I appreciate their reminder that our commitment to reclaim children and youth is rooted at the core of our faith tradition. This is not something to be a sidebar of our faith - it is at the core of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
The Appendices are worth their weight in gold - loading the reader with a ton of recommended resources that help us understand child poverty and mobilize the church to respond to poverty. I was especially encouraged when they quote Railton School's theme verse: Isaiah 1:17 - stating, "God is inviting you to 'learn to do good.' ...Just as the needs are great, the possibilities for ministry are endless. No one can do everything... but we are all called to do something" (p.164). I challenge you to READ THIS BOOK - it is a manifesto truly on reclaiming children and youth.
As I read these articles from youth work giants like Marian Wright Edelman, Jonathon Kozol, and Amy Sherman; I find myself encouraged, challenged, and fueled to continue to do my utmost to be like Jesus. I pray that you, too will experience the fire in the belly I felt after reading this.
Click here to access the study guide that Judson Press has put out to accompany this book.
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