Local+Poverty



Local Poverty in Philadelphia

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__Mission Statement__ :
As a group, we recognize that poverty does not necessarily mean homelessness. Many of the people who we help or are aiming this service towards, in fact are working but need some assistance to provide shelter, food, utilities, and healthcare for their families. We work with a few local organizations that differ in each of their individual goals, but all fall under the spectrum for what we are trying to accomplish... which is making a dent in Philadelphia and surrounding areas poverty issues one family at a time. Week to week we may be working with different groups, collecting food or clothes to distribute, organizing and helping out at a food cupboard, or collaborating with Urban Green, another Crefeld community service, to bring a self-sustainable vegetable garden/ safe haven into a vacant lot. We hope that through our work we can educate the greater community about this problem, and also help inform those in need what resources are available to assist in providing an adequate standard of living.

c. effects of current economy crisis on poverty
a. working with various local organizations (see resources) b. recruiting/coordinating volunteer efforts for existing programs or new project **
 * 2. Service

** 3. Empowerment a. brainstorming/researching ideas to combat local poverty b. educating others c. organizing a school/community food & clothing drive d. writing to representative/organization e. sense of accomplishment through service **

4. Reflection
a. input on wiki through:


 * Written responses to questions (Discussion tab at top of page)
 * Photos with captions
 * Video
 * Podcast (top of page)

1. Visit/volunteer at local shelter, soup kitchen, or food cupboard
**- Jan to May 2010** - Volunteered at The Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry 2. Help with organization fund raising and donation efforts **- Nov/Dec 2009** - Initiated and organized a non-perishables drive to assist The Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry 3. Speak with organization representatives about their initiatives and projects
 * sort and stock donated food items
 * file paperwork
 * small construction (shelves and tables)
 * - Nov/Dec 2009** - Initiated and organized the collection of gifts and clothing for two local families in need of support
 * - Jan 2010** - Initiated a used coat collection to donate to local persons in need

7. [|Habitat for Humanity]
** __Videos__: ** **1.** [|**Unmasking Poverty***]
 * Random people on street giving opinions and answering questions about poverty**
 * 2.** [|**Philadelphia Field Project**]
 * Penn State internship program that focuses on various aspects of poverty**

3. [|Witnesses to Hunger]
**Looks at different mothers living in poverty**