The Invisible Face of Child Poverty
We who live in paradise don’t really get to see the face of child poverty in our community unless we volunteer at the Food Bank, work in a social assistance office, or cook breakfast for kids in one of our schools. Therefore, we might carry on our pleasant lives thinking child poverty doesn’t exist...not here.
To assist in revealing the face of child poverty on the coast, the Canadian Federation of University Women, Sunshine Coast, held a Symposium on March 13, 2013 from 9am until 1pm at the Sechelt Nation Band Hall in Sechelt.
The keynote address was given by Michael Goldberg, research director at the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) from 1987 to 2006, and a founding member of First Call: the BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.
Can we afford child poverty?
Mr. Goldberg spoke about the real costs of child poverty in terms of lost human potential, and the loss of tax base when families are relegated to subsistence living. Poverty is a self-fulfilling prophecy, placing an increasing burden on health and social services, as well as legal and law-enforcement agencies. The facts show that it costs twice as much to perpetuate poverty as it would cost to reduce and eliminate it.
Mr. Goldberg’s address was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Sandra Cunningham, board member of The Community Foundation. Included on the panel were professionals and volunteers from the agencies who see the effects of poverty on a day-to-day basis.
Round-table discussions and questions for the panelists filled out the morning.
There is action we can take, especially in a pre-election period when politicians are hankering after our votes. The CFUW, Sunshine Coast, believes that any place in the province which claims to be paradise must eliminate child poverty.
How Poverty Influences a Child's Mind from The Globe & Mail
January 25, 2013
To assist in revealing the face of child poverty on the coast, the Canadian Federation of University Women, Sunshine Coast, held a Symposium on March 13, 2013 from 9am until 1pm at the Sechelt Nation Band Hall in Sechelt.
The keynote address was given by Michael Goldberg, research director at the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) from 1987 to 2006, and a founding member of First Call: the BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.
Can we afford child poverty?
Mr. Goldberg spoke about the real costs of child poverty in terms of lost human potential, and the loss of tax base when families are relegated to subsistence living. Poverty is a self-fulfilling prophecy, placing an increasing burden on health and social services, as well as legal and law-enforcement agencies. The facts show that it costs twice as much to perpetuate poverty as it would cost to reduce and eliminate it.
Mr. Goldberg’s address was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Sandra Cunningham, board member of The Community Foundation. Included on the panel were professionals and volunteers from the agencies who see the effects of poverty on a day-to-day basis.
Round-table discussions and questions for the panelists filled out the morning.
There is action we can take, especially in a pre-election period when politicians are hankering after our votes. The CFUW, Sunshine Coast, believes that any place in the province which claims to be paradise must eliminate child poverty.
How Poverty Influences a Child's Mind from The Globe & Mail
January 25, 2013
