Poverty requires multi-faceted approach: Murphy print this article

from The Amherst Daily News

RAISSA TETANISH
The Amherst Daily News

AMHERST — Speaking from personal experience, Juanita Noiles addressed a large group of people on how she survives making minimum wage.

“I went to school for the last four years and I worked full time for part of that,” she said just before How Much is Enough?, an evening hosted by the Poverty Action Committee, began. “I have a spouse now and work two jobs – one full time, one part time – and I’m making just above minimum wage.

Noiles had been a single mother for 10 years before recently marrying.

“It’s a little frustrating. I have to start paying student loans back (this month) and I don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

For committee chairperson, Sharon Murphy, it’s about taking a multi-faceted approach to poverty.

“Wages are just one part of it. You also have to look at affordable housing, education…We need a strategic plan,” said Murphy.

The strategic plan Murphy is talking about is similar to other countries, such as Ireland, that are combating poverty.

“Danny Williams in Newfoundland is working on a plan and part of that plan is mother-child nutrition supplement, which sees the baby getting proper nutrition while in the mother’s womb,” she added. “It means so much for the child’s brain development.”

If one thing was to come of the evening, Murphy was hoping people would come together to work on improving the area’s poverty.

“The least we can do is gather information and form a committee (toward a strategic plan),” said Murphy.