Tag Archives: working families

02.03.16
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Poverty and Our Community

The Tribune’s City Editor Matt Sanders presented the facts on the number of children receiving free and reduced price lunch in our schools in an op-ed Sunday.  He also outlined what the schools are doing to help children in poverty.  Several of those who commented on the article were less than sympathetic.

What kind of community do we want to be?  “Are We An Us?” was a question raised in our past forums and will be the topic of our next forum scheduled for next Thursday evening, February 11, at the ARC, from 7 to 9 pm.  Join us as we explore questions related to community here in Columbia, MO.

Another opportunity for information and dialogue directly related to the questions Matt raised occurs Monday night, February 8, 6 pm, also at the ARC, as the Cradle to Career Alliance screens the film “Wounded Places“.  This film explores the effects that chronic poverty has on children.  Members of the Minority Men’s Network and the Worley Street Roundtable will facilitate the post movie discussion.

And if you want to take Matt’s challenge to explore your assumptions about poverty, here is a place to begin: Poverty USA.

01.26.16
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Addressing Inequities

Unequal opportunities and access to resources is another factor that strains community.  More than 40% of our school age children qualify for free and reduced price lunch.  Our school district is experimenting with different approaches to ensure that all children have the food they need to learn.  Many of our children also lack access to regular health care, including needed mental health resources.  In 2012 our county passed a tax to create a Children’s Services Fund, and recently launched a new Family Access Center to connect families to needed resources.  But a recent study also showed Boone County to be one of the least likely counties to provide a path out of poverty.  Much more can be done to reduce inequities in our community.  What would you propose?

01.04.16
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Upcoming Event: January 11, 2016

The Cradle to Career Alliance is hosting its second dialogue event featuring films in The Raising of America film series at the ARC, 1701 w. Ash St., on January 11, 2016.  The featured film will be “Once Upon A Time When Childcare for All Wasn’t Just A Fairy Tale”. The film screening begins at 6 pm. The film is about 30 minutes and dialogue will follow. Dialogue will be facilitated by Columbia Parents for Public Schools.  Over 90 people attended the first event.  If you are concerned about our kids and our working families, this would be a great event to attend.

Join others in the community who care about our kids: January 11, 6 pm, at the ARC!