The Cause Of Inner City Poverty

America has been considered a country with one of the highest standards of living in the world, but are all fifty states really living “the American dream”? America has typically been associated with prosperity and wealth, but are all fifty states really living, “the American dream”? Within areas of central Ohio people are suffering everyday from the growing issue of poverty. Many researchers would agree that poverty is multidimensional, extraordinarily complex, and hard to understand. Why do people live like this? Economists would say poverty is an issue of labor markets, productivity, human capital, and free choice. But the average person would categorize poverty as a certain behavior, social status, and culture.
Everyday more and more people
in Columbus are losing their jobs, and suffering bankruptcy with no help to support their families. Help is offered through food pantries and homeless shelters, but this is not enough to stop the issue or even slow it down. More options should be offered for those who are willing to help. If newer, more efficient organizations were put in place, changes would start to happen. As the amount of poverty grows each day, so should the amount of help to conquer it. The main factor within the issue not being conquered is that people do not think about those who are suffering around them, even people in their own workplace. People do not have the willingness to give. Poverty is an issue that can be conquered if those who desire to see a change, become the change. Poverty is Continuously Growing
"Poverty is everywhere," said Lynnette Cook, executive director of Community Research Partners which conducted the analysis. In modern cities, poverty is not simply an economic deprivation, but it’s a whole life on its own. Families struggle to provide food for their children, make house payments, find jobs, and purchase their simple necessities like a toothbrush or socks. When Christmas time comes many people realize this issue and want to give, donate, and help those who live in poverty. But as soon as the season of giving is wrapped up, the issue is also wrapped up and forgotten. Help is offered through food pantries and homeless shelters, but this is not enough to stop the issue or even slow it down. Those who live in poverty are forgotten about, avoided, and looked at as though they are just taking up space. In Ohio alone, more than 1.8 million people are living below the federal poverty line. That is roughly 16% of Ohio’s population (“Federal Poverty Guidelines”). For a family of five, the federal poverty income is $42,660 annually, and for a person living on their own, the poverty line is $17,820 (“Talk Poverty”, 2015). Therefore, 1.8 million Ohioans are living below these incomes .
The Columbus Dispatch wrote that the city of Columbus had the biggest jump in suburban poverty in the state over the last seventeen years. Between 2000 and 2013, Columbus' suburbs have experienced both the fastest population growth, up 22.8 percent, and the fastest growth in suburban poverty, up 113.6 percent, in Ohio (Candisky, 2016, p.1). A growth rate as high as 113.6 percent shows a major problem with the way people living in poverty are being helped. This rate could have been cut in half, if not more, if individuals were to put forth the effort to help. The Westerville Area Resource Ministry also known as WARM, is an organization that serves those who are struggling to put food on the table. Scott Marier, the executive director of WARM said, “ We see poverty every day at Westerville Area Resource Ministry. Currently, 36% of students enrolled in Westerville City schools participate in a government sponsored feeding program indicating they live at 180% or below the federal poverty index. WARM serves eligible families that live at up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines” (Scott Marier, Interview). WARM serves as many families as they can within the Westerville area. There is only so much one ministry can do. What happens to the central Ohioans going hungry each day?
To many people, investments like soup kitchens and help centers would be a waste of money because various other efficient money making businesses could be invested in. Some people hardly cross paths with people living in poverty or don’t know about the amount of poverty in Central Ohio, and because of this, people don’t necessarily see a need for them to give away their own money for people they will never see. Another reason people are hesitant to donate money is because many people attach a certain stereotype to those who are poor. Some people believe the money they give to poor people is used to buy drugs. But there are simple ways around these issues. The goal of eliminating the growing amount of poverty in central Ohio is reachable.
Effort Leads to a Solution
Research on poverty in the United States tends to look at the large picture.
As a result, its conclusions generally argue that the poor are not much different from the rest of the population. In “ The Causes of Inner City Poverty…” Michael B. Tietz said, “They have less money, but their poverty status will usually not be permanent as their life circumstances change” (Tietz, 2007, p.120). If more organizations and outlets of help were established and providing for those who are suffering from poverty the constant growing poverty rate would diminish, and their life circumstance would be changed. If people began to give a small portion of their income, even a simple donation every couple of months to organizations that help those who are in need, poverty rates would drop miraculously. Donated money could be invested and put toward opening newer food pantries and soup kitchens for people to eat, help centers for people to learn about managing their small income, as well as a place where their everyday necessities are provided for them for almost no
cost. The first step in creating a movement of change is to spread awareness. Spreading awareness should be directed toward people who are going to want to help, first and foremost within the churches. Churches throughout central Ohio should enlighten the church body of the issue, as well as directing them to organizations where they can give. Among Americans who claim a religious affiliation, 65 percent give to charity. (Daniels, 2013, p. 1) A majority of people within the church will feel drawn to give, mainly because as they sit in the house of God they might just feel obligated to give to the less fortunate. The next step in stopping the rate of poverty from soaring up is investing in, as well as creating, newer and more efficient organizations who reach out to families and help attend to their needs. These organizations should also begin within the church where people desire to help the less fortunate.
Some people will still be hesitant to give, hanging onto the idea that any money they give to poor people will be used on drugs. Though this may occasionally be the case, much of the time this is not the case. If there were organizations who had a specific way of distributing donations, items, and money to people who are not drug users, donating to drug users would no longer be a problem. If people knew this, they would feel more at peace knowing their money is being used purposefully. After enlightening people about the issue, they should be encouraged to invest in organizations, as well as create new ones. New soup kitchens and food pantries mean more people go to bed with a full stomach. More donation centers means kids can wear a new pair of socks and stay warm with a new, heavy jacket. Financial aid centers means people can learn how to handle their small income and manage their money more efficiently. If the amount of help grows, the amount of poverty will not grow. After being asked, “What can people do in the community to contribute to the overall goal of ending poverty/ hunger?” Scott Marier, Executive Director of WARM, responded by saying, “... all acts of kindness can have a positive impact on poverty in a community. We are only limited by our willingness to help others.” This speaks the truth in many aspects. With an issue as diverse and intricate as poverty, it would be impossible to wake up tomorrow and there be no more people suffering through poverty. Every bit of help makes an impact, and this growing issue will end the moment the community is willing to make a change.
Conclusion
There are hundreds, of thousands of people in central Ohio going hungry every night, unable to take a warm shower or even feed their pets.
As Columbus has had the highest poverty growth rate over the last seventeen years, what can the community do to allow all people to live “the American dream”? Spreading awareness, giving people opportunities to help, and creating new ways to give to those suffering will put an end to the problem. Willingness and drive is what will take a growing poverty rate and flip it upside down. There is no easier solution than one that by simply telling someone about the poverty issue might lead someone to give or lead another to start an organization. By realizing this issue, a chain reaction automatically starts. A chain reaction that only helps dissolve the issue, not the issue bigger. The issue of poverty within central Ohio can easily be conquered if those who have the ability to act, decide to act. The opportunities to help are circling around the community, waiting for someone to grab ahold of them a start the
change.