Goal of forums: Fight poverty

from the South West Iowa News

HARLAN - From 1999 to 2003 the poverty rate among 12 southwest Iowa counties increased by more than 4.3 percent, according to economic development consultant Frank Spillers.

Spillers and his wife, Kimberlee, of Atlantic-based Global Horizons, are facilitating three public forums to open a dialogue on the issue.

"Poverty is a community issue with a huge impact on positive economic development," he said. "The basis of our conversation is that the majority of our population is one paycheck away from disaster."

He said his poverty figures are from U.S. Census data and cover Harrison, Shelby, Cass, Audubon, Adair, Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Adams, Page and Taylor counties.

Greg Connell, Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association vice president, attended the first forum, which was held in Shenandoah in December.

"It was the first opportunity I've had to see people talk about poverty in a community setting," he said. "You had successful retirees talking with people who were struggling, telling them they could relate - that they struggled, too, at one time."

Connell said about 30 people attended the session, which resulted in a decision to establish a mentoring program.

"People who have struggled with poverty and become successful are in a good position to help others who are struggling," he said.

The forum also brought poverty closer to home, he said.

"The thing that made the most impact was hearing a family talk about having no health insurance when their children needed medical care. You hear about stories like that, but when you see tears in their eyes it brings it home," Connell said.

Shelby County Head Start is hosting a second dialogue on Sunday, Jan. 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 19th St. in Harlan. Spillers said the discussion is open to all citizens, faith communities and representatives from banking; industry; business and civic and economic development organizations.

Dave Robinson, president of Shenandoah's Head Start Parents Group, attended his town's dialogue. He is a self-employed remodeling contractor whose business slows down in the winter.

"It was very informative and interesting," he said. "We had a chance to talk to a state representative and other leaders."

Robinson said the Chamber offered to help people looking for jobs and to help small businesses like his network with others.

"It was most definitely worth going to. People were really sincere in what they were saying," he said.

"Poverty is present in every town in southwest Iowa," Spillers said. "Iowa is a low-wage state. To raise our citizens up from poverty, we need to work together on strategies that will provide them and our families with wages they can live on and make ends meet."

He said economic development typically focuses on the number of jobs created, not wealth created.

"We get a business to move into the area that pays $9 or $10 an hour and pat ourselves on the back and say, 'Wow, we created a hundred jobs.' But those are poverty wages," he said.

Spillers said most people working those jobs would need a second job or state support in order to survive.

He said the dialogue provides an opportunity for decision makers to hear from people living in poverty. Spillers said local, state and federal involvement is needed. He has invited representatives from each level to attend.

Making Connections, an organization that works to educate individuals and families into more stable economic circumstances, is sponsoring the meeting. Spillers said the organization is in its fifth year of helping people claim the earned income tax credit when filing their taxes.

A third session is being planned for Atlantic, but has not yet been scheduled.

Spillers said refreshments and on-site childcare would be provided at the Harlan meeting.