Christians Against Poverty

"Communities Against Poverty: is a group which seeks to educate ourselves and others about Poverty issues in our community, empower people living in poverty to access resources and break down barriers in Arnprior."

Welcome to Families living on Low Income in the Arnprior Community. Every year we throw a big party for you! Call 613-623-3176 and leave your name with Donna if you and your family would like to attend this year's party. Please call before November 20th.

CAP is a small group from our community that is looking at poverty issues from a learning, educational and activist perspective. The group began with the Session at Grace-St. Andrew's inviting a consultation between members of the church and members of the community who were living on low income. The initial purpose was to look at how the Benevolent Fund is administered. But quickly the group started looking at other issues for people living on low income and our group has grown from there. This group first heard of the Christmas Party held in Renfrew each year. This idea was mentioned to our Sunday School as they discussed a mission project for the year and we were able to host a party for about 60 people who are living on low income.

This site will carry updates to our work: look for upcoming announcements about a local opportunity to play the "poverty game" and possibly a community showing of the video: "Poverty makes me Sick" put out by CHEO. You will find poems, ideas, and links to other resources.

TOGETHER WE CAN:

Congratulations Grace-St. Andrew's!! We met and exceeded our goal of $2650.00 for Botswana's Tsholofelong "place of hope" school!! Thank you from the Orphan's of the Aid's Pandemic! Thank you from the people who try to provide a childhood for them. It truly takes the world village to raise a child!!

NEED HELP? FEELING DESPERATE? OVERWHELMED?

WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP!!

ARNPRIOR AND DISTRICT NEIGHBOURLINK

"Neighbours helping Neighbours"

613-623-4200

(Office hours: Monday,Wednesday,Friday mornings - machine does take messages)

Since September 2003, NeighbourLink volunteers have been active, helping with requests for assistance from members of our community. If you live on low or limited income or if you are going through a period of financial stress, Neighbourlink may be willing to help. Working with a network of Christian volunteers, Neighbourlink connects people so that they can care for one another.

We are neighbours helping neighbours. Please call 623-4200 if you would like to make a referral or talk to one of our volunteers.

If you are interested in being a NeighbourLink Volunteer or would like more information about NeighbourLink, please contact: Lenna Whyte (623-2590) or Cathy Rodger (623-6289), or Ruth Willms (623-5402) Volunteer Co-ordinators for Grace – St. Andrew’s United Church.

wishing I could go to McDonald's
getting a basket from the 'Santa Fund'
feeling ashamed 'cause my dad can't get a job
not buying books at the book fair
not getting to go to birthday parties
hearing my parents fight over money
not having a pet because it costs too much money
wishing you had a nice house
not being able to go camping
not getting a hot dog on hot dog day at school-not getting pizza on pizza day
not going to Canada's Wonderland
not being able to have your friends sleep over
because we can't buy snacks or give breakfast
pretending that you forgot your lunch
being afraid to tell your mom
that you need gym shoes at school
not having breakfast sometimes
not being able to play hockey
sometimes it's hard because
my mom gets scared & she cries
hiding your feet so the teacher
won't get cross when you don't have boots
not being able to go to Cubs or play soccer
not being able to take swimming lessons
not being able to afford a holiday
not having pretty barrettes for your hair
not having your own backyard
being teased for the way you are dressed
not getting to go on school trips

From Grade 4 & 5 children in North Bay
From; 'Our Neighbour's Voices, Will We Listen?' Toronto, 1998

Communities Can and Must Put an End to Child Poverty
By Meg Illman-White

Communities against Poverty (CAP) is a local group of people seeking to bring to light issues surrounding living in poverty and how we as a community can work together to reduce the barriers and challenges faced by those in this situation."
The Renfrew County Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN) is a group of individuals, social service providers, public health workers, children's mental health providers and advocates. Together, we are working to reduce the impact of child poverty in Renfrew County.

Why are people Poor?
Wages in Renfrew County are much lower than the provincial average with median county incomes at 80% of provincial levels. Many low-wage workers in the county earn only the minimum wage or barely above.

" Minimum wage is currently $7.45 per hour. A family of four would have to work 76 hours a week at the minimum wage to get up to the LICO poverty line for Renfrew County. A single wage earner needs $14.40 per hour, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, to get the family up to the Stats Canada Gross Low Income Cut-Off Point.
" Most families who must rely on Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits and all of those who rely on Ontario Disability benefits live below the poverty line. The maximum benefit for a family of four with a disabled parent on Ontario Disability Support Program benefits is $21,240, which reflects only 88% of the Stats Canada Net Low Income Cut-Off Point.
" Because eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits depends on having enough hours of regular work in the year before you lose your job, few unemployed people in Renfrew County are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Most must live on Ontario Works benefits while they are looking for work. The maximum benefit for a family of four receiving Ontario Works is $14,136 per year, which is only 58% of the Stats Canada Net Low Income Cut-Off Point.

In 1989 the federal government unanimously passed an all-party resolution to achieve the goal of eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000. Fifteen years later, in Ontario, one of Canada's richest provinces, approximately 40% more children are growing up in poverty. More than 8,600 people in Ottawa had no place to call home last year, and nearly 13 per cent of those were children. Families who are evicted when they can't pay their rent or when hydro or gas utilities are cut off, are ending up on the street. Many Canadian children are still growing up without a "place to call home". 25% of Children under 6 years of age in Arnprior are living in poverty. This lack of stability during childhood contributes to a cycle of poverty that often continues into adult life.

"CAP" invites interested community members, town council leaders, church groups and social support workers to join us as we work to Makepovertyhistory. You may get information by calling or emailing Meg
.
How can YOU help?
There are many ways in which we as a community can help…
" Get involved! Find the energy and passion in yourself seek change
" Educate yourself about poverty - challenge some poverty myths
" Raise awareness in your neighbourhood -
" Take political action - write your MP & MPP

Poverty:
It is through local community networks and working together that WE CAN make a difference. YOU can make a difference by becoming involved in short and long-term projects that address the lack of affordable housing.

Ten Things I Can Do … To reduce the effects of child poverty

Talk about poverty when making decisions… at school, at work, at home with friends, and organizations
Find out more about child poverty and its effects on children at www.campaign2000.ca
Join CPAN and speak out about child poverty issues in your community.
Donate items, time or $$ to programs such as food banks that assist families in meeting their basic needs
Start a community project (a buying club, a community garden, a cooking club, a community supper)
Start a school breakfast program in my neighbourhood school
Encourage my municipal government to make child poverty a priority issue
Start or get involved in economic development and housing initiatives
Call, write and visit my local member of provincial parliament with concerns
Call, write or visit my federal member of parliament with concerns

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

CAP: Meg

Make Poverty History Canada: http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca

Grace-St. Andrew's United Church Benevolent Fund Meg