Why do I advocate? Why do I do what I do? Why am I a member of Bread for the World? This passage doesn't tell my whole story, but it hits pretty dang close to home for me. Especially the part about "charity alone is not enough." If this rings true for you...and I am not necessarily referring to the biblical references...please consider becoming engaged in the effort to feed hungry people and end extreme poverty in our time.
www.bread.org (christian advocacy resource)
www.results.org (secular advocacy resource)
-ccyl
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Bread for the World Credo
We are moved by God's grace in Jesus Christ
To work for justice for hungry people.
They may be in the next house. Or in the next country.
No matter where they live, they are our neighbors.
And we have the power to help.
Charity alone is not enough,
We must urge our government to make fair decisions
So struggling families can provide for their children.
We must write personal letters and emails to Congress
And engage our churches, campuses and other organizations.
We must change laws and structures that allow poverty to persist.
When we turn our faith into action, God uses our voices.
Again and again, we win help and opportunity.
Two fish become many.
Five loaves become enough to feed a multitude.
God is moving in our time
To end hunger,
And we are part of this great liberation.
It is our mission to help our neighbors. Wherever they live.
They are hungry.
And we are Bread for the World.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
NY Times Op-ed: "Poverty is Poison"
Today's NY TImes ran an op-ed called "Poverty is Poison" by Paul Krugman. It highlights domestic childhood poverty by citing some recent studies and giving an overview of the history of childhood poverty in our nation. This one deserves some nice LTE's to let them know we want to read more like it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18krugman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=poverty&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Here are some quotes:
"Living in or near poverty has always been a form of exile, of being cut off from the larger society. But the distance between the poor and the rest of us is much greater than it was 40 years ago, because most American incomes have risen in real terms while the official poverty line has not. To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child’s brain."
"Poverty rates are much lower in most European countries than in the United States, mainly because of government programs that help the poor and unlucky. And governments that set their minds to it can reduce poverty. In Britain, the Labor government that came into office in 1997 made reducing poverty a priority — and despite some setbacks, its program of income subsidies and other aid has achieved a great deal. Child poverty, in particular, has been cut in half by the measure that corresponds most closely to the U.S. definition."
Thank you to my online friend, Birdalone, for forwarding a great piece!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18krugman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=poverty&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Here are some quotes:
"Living in or near poverty has always been a form of exile, of being cut off from the larger society. But the distance between the poor and the rest of us is much greater than it was 40 years ago, because most American incomes have risen in real terms while the official poverty line has not. To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child’s brain."
"Poverty rates are much lower in most European countries than in the United States, mainly because of government programs that help the poor and unlucky. And governments that set their minds to it can reduce poverty. In Britain, the Labor government that came into office in 1997 made reducing poverty a priority — and despite some setbacks, its program of income subsidies and other aid has achieved a great deal. Child poverty, in particular, has been cut in half by the measure that corresponds most closely to the U.S. definition."
Thank you to my online friend, Birdalone, for forwarding a great piece!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Anyone interested in an online book discussion here?
Here are my questions for you, dear readers...(and I know you're out there now as I've recently installed the counters to prove it!)
Would any of you be interested in doing an on-line book discussion? If so, do you know of a poverty-related book that interests you?
I was on someone's blog the other day and noticed that she was going to do a blogged book group. She encouraged everyone to get a copy of a certain book and planned to periodically blog about a section and invite people to comment. It requires no specific time for a group to meet in person, can be done from anywhere in the country. It wouldn't be face-to-face interactive, but would allow people to participate who can't normally schedule in a traditional book group.
Anyway, please let me know if you'd be interested! Thank you very much to you who have been reading this blog. I especially appreciate your comments you've made here and as I see some of you in-person. My goal for this outlet is to increase awareness and dialogue about poverty issues. When you write/talk to me about it, I know that goal is being fulfilled! Thank you! -ccyl
Would any of you be interested in doing an on-line book discussion? If so, do you know of a poverty-related book that interests you?
I was on someone's blog the other day and noticed that she was going to do a blogged book group. She encouraged everyone to get a copy of a certain book and planned to periodically blog about a section and invite people to comment. It requires no specific time for a group to meet in person, can be done from anywhere in the country. It wouldn't be face-to-face interactive, but would allow people to participate who can't normally schedule in a traditional book group.
Anyway, please let me know if you'd be interested! Thank you very much to you who have been reading this blog. I especially appreciate your comments you've made here and as I see some of you in-person. My goal for this outlet is to increase awareness and dialogue about poverty issues. When you write/talk to me about it, I know that goal is being fulfilled! Thank you! -ccyl
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