CAUSES OF POVERTY
Behaviors of the Individual
Dependence on:
Welfare, Morality, Crime, Single parenthood, Breakup of families, Intergenerational Character traits, Work ethic, Racism and Discrimination, Commitment to Achievement, Spending habits, Addiction, mental Illness, domestic violence, Planning skills
Human and Social Capital in the Community
Intellectual capital , Social capital , Availability of jobs , Availability of well- paying jobs, Racism and discrimination , Availability and quality of education , Adequate skill sets, Childcare for working families , Decline in neighborhoods , Decline in social morality, Urbanization Suburbanization of manufacturing, Middle-class flight, City and regional planning
Exploitation
Drug trade, Racism and discrimination, Payday lenders, Sub-prime lenders, Lease/purchase outlets, Temp work, Sweatshops, Sex trade, Internet scams
Political/Economic Structures
Globalization, Equity and growth, Corporate influence on legislators, Declining middle class, De-industrialization, Job loss, Decline of unions, Taxation patterns, Salary ratio of CEO to line worker, Immigration patterns, Economic disparity, Racism and discrimination
How we knew our community was at risk and what those indicators were
- Population loss
- Middle-class flight
- Young-adult children leave the community and don’t come back
- Lost manufacturing
- Tax delinquencies/foreclosures
- More temporary and part-time jobs
- Rising food insecurity
- Low-income housing costs above 30% of income
- Growing number of payday lending, cash advance, pawnshops, and lease/ purchase outlets
- Free and reduced lunch rates rising
- Number and value of business loans are declining
- Investment in infrastructure is declining
- Fiscal difficulties for city or county
- City or county hiring freezes or layoffs
- Deteriorating Main Street
This is where I remind companies, city government, not for profits and community developers; If this is your best, maybe it’s time to put aside differences and start a conversation.
“Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large.”