University Poverty Coalitions--A Case Study of Bloomington, IN

It is sad to hear about the lack of attention being paid to poverty in this country's news media. Luckily there are a few great resources for research and news (my favorite is the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity--and they should be your favorite, too). I think this post addresses a core issue--are future leaders in policy and business--A.K.A. college students--getting an adequate education in poverty issues?

We need poverty coalitions--however loosely defined--in EVERY community. Not just in communities noted as "down-trodden" or "poor," but even those (and perhaps, even "especially those") where poverty is not visible but still very much exists. Many 'college towns' fit that latter description.

This is something I've done some thinking on--how grassroots organizing around the broad issue of generational poverty can meet with a 'detached' population of people that have a hard time finding "poverty" around them. It's action at the local level that really makes the difference, and action can happen everywhere and needs to happen everywhere.

But you-me-we already know this. "Glocal" is a word that's sprung from this idea. So why did I post this? And why are you still reading?

Because it may be more important to promote awareness of poverty (or anti-poverty, if you prefer), coalitions in neighborhoods and regions in this country that do NOT look like they are suffering from the effects of systemic, generational poverty might be better targets for action.

For example, a college town like Bloomington, Indiana is a perfect example of such a place. Walk down Kirkwood, the main street downtown, and you'll see upscale restaurants, bars, and "deluxe apartments in the sky" (3 stories up counts as 'sky' in the Midwest). Rent in such apartments sometimes tops $2000 a month for two bedrooms--if not more.

Why is poverty awareness and education important in a place like this? Because, unknown to most students and many citizens of the area, there are 3 different Section 8 Public Housing units within city limits. This is also a place that deals with the consistent strain on local prices--with higher costs of living than surrounding areas, but always a competitive push to keep prices low--thus kicking wages in the chest.

A poverty coalition in this setting could do a couple of things:

-Provide a unit for attracting lectures and speakers on poverty, in collaboration with other student or community groups, for any number of contexts;
-Likewise, when other organizations bring in speakers that may speak on issues concerning poverty alleviation, promoting that event among the coalition members and help frame the conversation around poverty;
-Bring trainings, such as Bridges Out of Poverty, to campus and the community regularly;
-Promote events, such as poverty simulations (Purdue is doing it) or neighborhood visits, in conjunction with classes or groups;
-Provide resources and information about poverty in the immediate and surrouding community.

The "poverty context" is necessary because without it, decisions can be made that can severely hurt the least represented and often, the most vulnerable class of Americans (and those worldwide). If you want to call it economic "affirmative action" feel free to, but in my opinion, if a just society is called to throw off historic balances of power, that can also be call "real progress" toward a more socially equitable world.

The reason for using the university setting it pretty simple--not only are the Future Leaders of the World (not a band name) coming out of colleges and universities, but academic research and extracurricular energy are important drivers in a move for higher understanding.

And in higher education, what price can you put on higher understanding? (And no, please don't make it reflect tuition costs...)

I'd LOVE to hear more of your thoughts in the comments!