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Find the latest stories, research, and insights on policies, programs, and ideas shaping the national conversation on poverty and economic mobility.

In the News
Aging
California
2012
San Bernardino County Sun, September 10, 2012: Supervisor Derry gives $1,000 to Smiles for Seniors Foundation
September 10, 2012

San Bernardino County Sun, September 10, 2012: Supervisor Derry gives $1,000 to Smiles for Seniors Foundation

"The Smiles for Seniors Foundation is an organization serving low-income seniors in the Inland Empire and surrounding areas. Each year, the foundation provides emergency assistance and safety net services to struggling low-income seniors in need. It is one of the leading agencies providing food, housing, medical and other assistance to seniors."

In the News
Education
Illinois
2012
The Washington Post, September 10, 2012: (Op-Ed) Students are victims in Chicago fight over clout
September 10, 2012

The Washington Post, September 10, 2012: (Op-Ed) Students are victims in Chicago fight over clout

"In Chicago, 85 percent of the roughly 400,000 public school students are either African-American or Latino. A similar percentage receives free or reduced-price meals, which means these students live at or near the poverty line: $27,214 for a family of three, in a typical case. The average public-school teacher in Chicago earned almost triple that amount - $76,000 per year, according to the school district. In contract negotiations this year, Chicago Public Schools offered an average total pay increase of 16 percent over four years."

In the News
Education
Illinois
2012
The New York Times, September 10, 2012: (Op-Ed) In Chicago, It's a Mess, All Right
September 10, 2012

The New York Times, September 10, 2012: (Op-Ed) In Chicago, It's a Mess, All Right

"On Sunday night, when she announced that the teachers were going on strike, Lewis said that teachers should not be at risk of losing their jobs over new evaluations that rely heavily on standardized test scores, which don't account for outside factors like poverty and homelessness. Reformers have long complained that teachers' unions too often use poverty as an excuse for poor performance. Lewis's remarks would seem to justify that complaint."

In the News
Education
2012
Newsday, September 09, 2012: (Op-Ed) Poverty is the school problem, not the solution
September 9, 2012

Newsday, September 09, 2012: (Op-Ed) Poverty is the school problem, not the solution

"That poverty is a problem in America's schools seems clear. But it's equally clear that this problem isn't going away any time soon; even a bevy of effective anti-poverty programs, launched today, wouldn't pay dividends for years. Meanwhile, we can't just write off a generation of poor children. So America's schools are going to have to figure out a way to do a better job educating kids from low-income backgrounds."

In the News
Education
Jobs
Florida
2012
Sun-Sentinel, September 07, 2012: On-ramp to cyberspace: Delray expanding free Internet access to neighborhood
September 7, 2012

Sun-Sentinel, September 07, 2012: On-ramp to cyberspace: Delray expanding free Internet access to neighborhood

"The tools of knowledge will be within easier reach for low-income kids living in a 2-square-mile swath of Delray Beach as the city launches its first cloud of wireless Internet for a residential area. Starting next month, up to 852 families living in the range of this free Wi-Fi also will be eligible for free reconditioned personal computers. It's all part of a city-powered effort to boost access to knowledge that has involved everyone from elementary-age children to Florida Power & Light officials."

In the News
Education
Illinois
2012
Chicago Daily Herald, September 07, 2012: District 214: We're reaching our goals
September 7, 2012

Chicago Daily Herald, September 07, 2012: District 214: We're reaching our goals

"With the number of low income and special education students growing each year, officials said it's time to reapply the strategies that have been successful and maybe look for new ways to reach those groups. One of the biggest challenges we face is that our at-risk populations are increasing substantially,' said Cordogan."

In the News
Education
2012
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, September 06, 2012: Rochester schools in top 10 for spending, analysis says
September 6, 2012

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, September 06, 2012: Rochester schools in top 10 for spending, analysis says

"In Rochester, enrollment fell 10 percent this past decade and the district has struggled with decisions to close schools. When it comes to student poverty, the district ranks highest statewide, and 13th nationally, the report found. Rochester's per-pupil spending was far above the $15,000 average of districts with more than a quarter of students in poverty. The district had a 39 percent student poverty rate compared to Buffalo's 37 percent, according to the 2010 data. Cleveland and Cincinnati, also in the Top 10 for spending, were at 45 percent and 40 percent student poverty, respectively, the report showed."

In the News
Education
Wisconsin
2012
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 06, 2012: Stuff the Bus ensures students have school supplies
September 6, 2012

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 06, 2012: Stuff the Bus ensures students have school supplies

"It's not a highly known fact in the Germantown community, but poverty in the suburban school district has nearly tripled in the last decade. Statistics provided by the Germantown School District show that between one in six and one in seven students meet the federal poverty guidelines and qualify for free and reduced lunches. With these statistics in mind, Go Riteway, the district's contracted company for its busing needs, took action and launched Stuff the Bus."

In the News
Education
2012
The Daily Gazette, September 06, 2012: Feds OK $1.1M for YouthBuild program
September 6, 2012

The Daily Gazette, September 06, 2012: Feds OK $1.1M for YouthBuild program

"Northeast Parent & Child Society will receive $1.1 million in federal funding to develop and expand its YouthBuild program, an alternative education option geared toward high school dropouts and low-income residents. The grant was one of 74 awarded to YouthBuild programs, with the Schenectady-based nonprofit receiving the highest available grant offered by the U.S. Department of Labor; a total $75.7 million in grants was awarded starting at $700,000."

In the News
Aging
Jobs
2012
Chicago Tribune, September 06, 2012: Social finance investing emerging for retirees
September 6, 2012

Chicago Tribune, September 06, 2012: Social finance investing emerging for retirees

"Investors with seven-figure nest eggs could soon have greater access to startup companies, more modest investors could get in on smaller deals and low-income seniors could be among the first beneficiaries of new partnerships between financiers and social services providers."

In the News
Education
2012
The Washington Post, September 05, 2012: High-performing teachers in low-income D.C. schools to get fastest raises
September 5, 2012

The Washington Post, September 05, 2012: High-performing teachers in low-income D.C. schools to get fastest raises

"High-performing D.C. public school teachers who work in high-poverty schools will be able to accelerate through the pay scale to reach top compensation levels more quickly under a "career ladder" announced Tuesday."

In the News
Education
Wisconsin
2012
The Business Journal of Milwaukee, September 05, 2012: Grants to help college students get degrees
September 5, 2012

The Business Journal of Milwaukee, September 05, 2012: Grants to help college students get degrees

"Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp. (Great Lakes) awards $1.8 million in grants to 14 programs that help Wisconsin college students from disadvantaged backgrounds complete their degree, diploma or certificate."