I personally grew up in poverty and almost never had enough to eat. Sometimes my school lunch was the only thing I had to eat all day. While it still hurts to think about the times I had to ask, I am so grateful my classmates were willing to share their leftovers with me. I feel with my entire being for children who might not have friends with extra food – or access to free lunches.
Archives: Voices
Americans at risk: Nearly 18 million could lose health coverage by year’s end if Congress does not act
Nearly 18 million Americans could lose health coverage while millions more will see sharp increases in the premiums they pay, as a number of pandemic-related provisions aimed at making health care both more affordable and accessible are set to expire.
No “eviction tsunami” — but increasingly, trouble when the rent is due
Eight months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s federal eviction moratorium. At the time, affordable housing advocates and other experts warned of an approaching “tsunami” of evictions. Today there is some good news to report, with a large asterisk. Evictions did increase in the U.S. after the moratorium was lifted. But the eviction rate did not rise as quickly as anticipated, and, in fact, it remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Congress showing ‘lack of foresight’ in not supporting government programs through Build Back Better
As a social worker running an organization that helps others, I have been astonished by the lack of foresight among politicians that are not rallying behind the Build Back Better Bill in Congress. And while I am sad on behalf of my clients — I’ve seen first hand the difference things like the Child Tax Credit have made in their lives — I’m mostly sad for the country. A little bit of help at just the right time can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Take me, for example, I was able to get ahead — and build an organization that gives back — because of services that now may be denied to others.
Spring is in the air and activists are in the streets (and on the Internet)
If you’re looking to get out and about, and maybe unleash a bit of pent-up activism, opportunities abound. Whether it’s advocating on behalf of COVID survivors, in favor of the expanded Child Tax Credit, or simply want to see Congress enact more family-friendly policies, a number of activities are on the horizon.
Experts: Impending ‘hunger cliff’ could affect millions
Hunger is once again on the rise in America. Experts say it is about to get worse – and it could get a lot worse.
CHN’s COVID-19 Watch: Tracking Hardship, April 18, 2022
The tax fairness edition. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in a majority of states as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. — in some cases, sharply. Thankfully, we are not seeing any increases in deaths or hospitalizations. Meanwhile, it is that time of year when Americans are asked to settle up with the IRS. Well – some of us are asked to settle up. We now know that the wealthiest Americans, along with large corporations, profited greatly during the pandemic and are not required to pay their fair share of taxes.
Resilient But Not Recovered: After two years of the COVID-19 crisis, women are still struggling
You may have heard a lot lately about the nation’s recovery – despite inflation woes, wages are surging and we’re witnessing the lowest unemployment rates in years. But recovery from a pandemic-related recession is not at all equal. It discriminates on the basis of race, income level, industry, and even geography. And in this case, it particularly discriminates on the basis of gender.
A Pandemic of the Poor
As our country approaches 1 million deaths from COVID-19, it can feel impossible to wrap our heads around such a devastating figure. But it’s essential if we want to treat the pre-existing conditions that made it so deadly. In the beginning, many thought the pandemic would be “a great equalizer,” since the virus doesn’t distinguish between rich and poor. But the tragic reality is that our economic and public health systems do discriminate.
Americans are Calling for Federal Assistance to Save a Failed Private Child Care Market
High-quality child care plays an essential role in children’s development, allows working parents to remain employed, and provides an income for child care workers. However, child care centers have become endangered species. In fact, economists are calling the child care crisis a perfect example of a market failure.
How virtual learning led to racial inequity in education achievement gaps
As families continue to navigate the pandemic, Black and Latino students remain at risk academically. One critical reason involves virtual learning. Early on, virtual learning was viewed as an innovative and necessary response to school closings. Students couldn’t be in the classroom in the pandemic’s early days, but they could still learn, the thinking went. But it did not always work out that way.
Lessons about poverty in America’s heartland
I grew up poor. My single-dad grew up poor. And now, even as entrepreneurs — the embodiment of America’s “can-do” spirit and the engine of our economy — my partner and I are only just making ends meet. I’ve had to learn a lot about poverty over the years — the endless toil, the insufficient health care, the exposure to polluted environments. It grinds down the body and the spirit. But I’ve also learned that suffering can be transformed into powerful movements for change.