A new coalition prepares to battle poverty in Carson City

Did you know in the United States about 13 percent of all people live below the poverty line, federally marked at an income of $20,000 for a family of four?

Did you also know that in Carson City 19.5 percent of children under the age of 5 are living in poverty?

Poverty has a look and feel. Some of its qualities are easily identified, like homelessness, while others are not, like mental illness or addiction. And while homelessness is a big problem in this country, poverty is bigger.

There are millions of people living in poverty who, if the "other shoe drops," would be immediately on the streets. And we all know that at some point along the unexpected journey of life, that other shoe usually drops. Yet when "the drop" comes, a community can make a difference by creating an appropriate safety net. Much different than a "hand out," a safety net is a lasting solution to building better, healthier communities.

Eileen Wallace, from Move the Mountain Leadership Center, was in Carson City last week discussing poverty. The Move the Mountain Leadership Center is a national program that provides training, consulting, and coaching to community members and leaders who are focused on ending poverty in their areas.

Ms. Wallace grew up in poverty, worked her way out and now has dedicated herself to helping others. When asked what it is like to be really poor, she noted, "Our society values money, success and power. We don't value 'being', we value 'doing.' If you don't have money you aren't 'doing,' you become invisible, unheard. If you are a person of color with no money it's even worse. Not having money feels like you are nothing more than shame."

Some of us began to talk, describing modest upbringings. As it turned out we shared common experiences of struggling families. However, only one person remembered actually being hungry and not having a home. The group's median age was more than 40 and we all agreed that prior to the 1980s it was easier to live paycheck to paycheck, and still be in the large middle class. Today, the truth is more and more people struggle and can't make it into the shrinking middle class. But most of us don't really understand poverty or how one gets there. And generally we don't want to think about it, so we ignore it.

"Poor people can feel like a contagion, especially the closer we are to them. It's like some people used to be afraid of people who had cancer because they were afraid they might catch it. We feel the same about poor people. So, we objectify them; make them invisible, so we won't catch poverty," said Ms. Wallace.

Research suggests certain community factors actually "breed" poverty.

Those who do not complete high school or some kind of post-high school education or training are much more likely to be poor. Some communities are better at keeping at-risk people in school. But did you know that certain employers and business types actually contribute to the problem by exploiting poverty-level labor through things like operating pay day-type lending businesses or businesses that rely heavily on minimum wage for employees?

You may be thinking that people make their own choices. However, problem-solving and coping skills are largely taught, and if you haven't learned mainstream work skills, money management, and effective daily living skills growing up, it's hard to develop them on your own.

Knowing how to get your child into piano lessons and soccer, helping them with their homework and calling the school if they need help are all middle class skills. Understanding banking principles, insurance, credit cards, and interest rates dramatically affects financial security and most poor people are not taught these principles. Talking with children about going to college, how to work out problems at school and work, are also not skills those in poverty typically possess. It's not that people living in poverty are less intelligent; rather, they are focused on surviving the moment.

Having a safety net of people who help you socially, emotionally and sometimes financially is crucial for everyone. But, when you're poor you're surrounded by other poor people who have little to offer in this regard.

Today in Carson City, the Circles of Support Coalition is a grassroots effort that is attempting to address poverty in our community. Some who are involved grew up in poverty and feel that many people helped them to succeed, and now want to "pay it forward." Most, however, who are involved grew up in the working and middle class of the Baby Boom Generation, don't have direct experience with poverty, but want to "pay it forward" by helping to shape a healthy Carson City.

Some answers come in the form of teaching those in poverty many of the middle-class skills discussed above, offering those in need a community that supports and coaches them; later, when they are stable they become part of the community-based team that will help others.

Other answers will come in the form of expecting city leaders to forward an overall vision for Carson City that seeks to balance economic realities with a commitment to making things like education, health care, public safety, and recreation more than platitudes in a political campaign.

There is much work to be done and everyone can do a little, starting with respectful interaction with the homeless and poor: Look them in the eye, and listen to what they say. Vote for and support initiatives that will make our community one that helps people out of poverty. Make it your business to demand sustainable, healthy ways this community can evolve. And, watch for upcoming articles in this newspaper about the coalition and its efforts.

Fresh Ideas: Starting conversations by sharing personal perspectives on timely and timeless issues.

• Lisa Keating, Ph.D., is a Carson City clinical psychologist.