Renewing Commitment to Fighting Poverty
Catholic Charities USA:
Examining problems facing the poor and debating policy proposals to help break the cycle of poverty in America will be the central focus of Catholic Charities USA's 2006 Annual Gathering in Minneapolis from September 14--17.
The centerpiece of the meeting's agenda is discussion and ratification of the 2006 Catholic Charities USA policy paper, "Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good," which examines Catholic Charities' commitment to serving those in need and the theological construct of the common good.
The paper also sets forth specific public policy proposals that will be the foundation of the organization's advocacy and outreach in the coming years.
Catholic Charities agencies nationwide have provided social services and emotional support to help bring relief to people in poverty and help them build lives of dignity and economic security for more than 275 years.
In addition to the ratification of the policy statement, meeting attendees will discuss issues contributing to poverty and problems facing America's poor during several workshops and meetings scheduled throughout the conference.
The first is from Jason DeParle, author of American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare, an exploration of the welfare system through the eyes of three Milwaukee families.
The second will be by Angela Jobe, a certified nursing assistant in Milwaukee and a single mother of five children, whose journey from welfare to work was captured in DeParle's book.
To kick-off the discussion and ratification of the poverty policy statement on Friday, September 15, 18-year-old Rodney "October" Dixon and 19-year-old Ashley "Younique" Gilbert will present their poems on poverty and race in a performance of Spoken Word Poetry, the sharing of stories and lessons in traditional oral presentation by becoming the character (a person or an emotion) inside the poem.
Participants will discuss the development of transitional housing and different housing approaches to elevate families' lives and help meet the unprecedented housing needs in this country.
