Faces of Poverty

from WTHI

Nearly 15,000 people in Vigo County experience something you might not. They will likely go to bed hungry, spend their days without enough heat and wake-up in the morning without little hope of things getting better. These people live in poverty. In fact, Vigo County ranks number one in the state for poverty stricken families.

Whether you want to believe it or not, poverty exists in this country and closer to home in your backyard. Think about this: How would you describe poverty? Someone without food, shelter, clothing, money?

It's right under our noses. Most of us brush-up against it each day. And for the people living in it, it's daily a struggle.

Here's living proof of that struggle.

Each Sunday, Jeanie Winston sings to strengthen her faith at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Jeanie's life journey hasn't been easy. All her life, she's lived by faith and in poverty. Jeanie doesn't want your sympathy. What she does want is your attention.

Seven people live under her roof. On the night we visited, chili was being served. Chili is one of the better meals when you're living in poverty. Jeanie says, "Unless you're involved in it on a daily basis, unless you live it, you see it, you are not going to know it. You are just not going to know it."

Jeanie works at the 14th and Chestnut Community Center. Her job is to help others living in poverty.

So what would it be like to live in Jeanie's shoes? While her job pays a little more than nine dollars an hour, that money can only go so far. And with six others in her house, it doesn't go far enough. Plus, her husband's on disability and she can't get credit.

The problem is the Winston's aren't bringing in enough money to pay for everything. So, they're faced with some difficult choices. For example, pay the house payment or the car payment? Buy medication or purchase food? Buy clothing or pay the utility bills? Poverty has a lot to do with choices.

"I struggle. I struggle everyday. I worry everyday. I worry about the gas, the lights and the water. I worry about those things.. and I would be telling a lie if I said I didn't," adds Jeanie.

On Sunday mornings, Jeanie practices her faith and gains strength for the week ahead in taking care of her family, helping others and hoping for one more week she can win the war on poverty.

If you would like more information on poverty, click on the link offered below.

http://www.iyi.org/poverty