Equity Data Series: Poverty Threshold
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It is crucial for households to have a steady sustainable income. Individuals and families need to have enough income to meet their basic expenses and have an opportunity to save for the future. Experiencing poverty can have negative implications on educational achievement, health outcomes and the community as a whole.
We used poverty threshold data to identify income inequities in our region. Here’s what we found:
How United Way Helps
As a part of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg’s 2020-22 funding cycle, 15 programs at 14 partner agencies supporting income equity are receiving a total of $565,000 in community investments.
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg: Workforce Partnership Team
The Workforce Partnership Team exists to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers by working with local nonprofits and service providers to remove barriers to employment. This is done by streamlining the flow of information between job seekers, service providers and employers and connecting job seekers to wrap-around services.
Fostering Financial Stability
The goal of this program is to provide employment, financial and income support coaching to low- to moderate-income Richmond residents through Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs). In the short-term, FOCs help individuals achieve financial stability and access to a living-wage job. In the long-term, they reduce intergenerational poverty and assist individuals in attaining self-sufficiency. FOC clients are often female heads of households from marginalized communities of color suffering from low wealth, declining education rates, poor health indicators, food insecurity and high crime rates. The service model uses a one-on-one coaching approach designed to change clients’ behaviors and affect measurable outcomes.
Children’s Trauma-Informed Mental Health Services
Poverty is a strong reinforcing factor in the accumulation of adverse childhood experiences that are associated with negative health outcomes in adulthood. ChildSavers’ Mental Health Services helps children build resilience to trauma by providing Immediate Response (crisis intervention), outpatient and school-based clinical services. Therapeutic activities are child-centered, goal-oriented and involve clients’ families, guardians and other supporters, as appropriate. Most of the children served live in under-resourced communities at the nexus of the health, racial, and social justice inequities fueling the demand for change in our community and nation.
How Can You Help?
Donate to United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg today. Your donation helps us make equitable income a reality for our region.
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