place based poverty intersections and approaches - scott tate
TRANSCRIPT
PLACE-BASED POVERTY:INTERSECTIONS & APPROACHES
Dr. Scott Tate Extension Specialist, VCE
Research Associate, Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance
Poverty as Pressing Public Problem
Place-Poverty Links
Why place/neighborhoods matter?
Problems are “bundled”
Some contributing factors
Structural Impediments
DistancingLow Efficacy
Promising approaches that attempt to address all 3 concerns?
Promising Approaches?
•Turning the Tide on Poverty/(& Circles)
•Neighborhood Identity Projects
•Neighborhood Microenterprise
Purpose of the 11-State Project
• Explore the causes of poverty.• Talk about possible solutions.• Select strategies that fit the
community.• Work together for change.
End product:Citizens develop & implement a
Community-Based Action Plan.
How This Project Helps
• Fosters broad community involvement – Everyone is welcome!
• Provides a clear process to help people get involved in meaningful ways.
• Increases personal ownership to the community and to the issue.
• Creates a community partnership in which leadership and citizens join hands in addressing community issues.
Early Outcomes in Virginia (Greensville/Emporia)
Mobile Food Pantry Starts Coming to Town
Community Garden Started
Youth Council Started
Organizations Recognized for New Efforts to Address Poverty – including recognition from Sen. Warner
Weeklong Effort Entitled “Reach Up” held with focus on health issues, leadership development, and youth obesity
Many additional partnerships were formed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW81nvX5Xkc
Circles
• National program that brings together low-income people and middle-class community members who want to work together
Impacts….
www.circlesusa.org
Neighborhood Identity
• Waukesha, Wisconsin
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Waukesha – Extension Project
Milwaukee, WI: Walnut Way
Local, Slow, & Steady: Taking small actions that give people a sense of pride in their neighborhood—and
trust in their neighbors
Neighborhood Microenterprise
Minnesota Examples
Virginia example = Richmond
Common Elements from the Approaches?
• Neighborhood Scale• Individuals as Change Agents
• Intensity of Focus• Build social ties• Reduce divides• Link to Resources• Address more than one “problem”
Opportunities & Contact• New River Valley Dialogue on Poverty:
• Saturday, October 19, 9-12 am.
• Neighborhood Development in Roanoke. • Contact Office of Neighborhood Services:
• Feedback, Follow-Up to Me & Connecting with Extension Resources • Scott Tate, [email protected] 540.315.2062