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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.
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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
Type
State
Issue
The Merced Sun-Star, November 22, 2011: Budget cuts lead to waiting list for preschool programs
"The program serves 3- and 4-year-olds who come from low-income families. Parents need to meet certain income guidelines to qualify. 'Most of our families are either working or going to school,' Pitz said."
The Washington Post, November 22, 2011: A hands-on lesson in starting early to make a difference
"The project, which has delivered 9,500 bags of groceries to hundreds of low-income seniors during the past six years, does more than teach kids about giving and sharing and the socioeconomic inequities among that 99 percent of us. It is designed to introduce children of affluence to people who are struggling."
St. Petersburg Times, November 22, 2011: Tutors give hope to homeless
"The University of South Florida student and the homeless Haitian immigrant sat on opposite sides of the desk, working together on a geometry problem."
News Leader, November, 21, 2011: Local initiative helps answer need in high-poverty schools
"When Carol Neckermann Ballard decided to become a teacher, she wanted to work with students in high-poverty schools."
CNN Money, November 21, 2011: College gap widens between rich, poor
"It's getting more difficult for low-income students to climb the economic ladder as the college graduation gap between the rich and poor grows. While more students from all backgrounds are finishing college, the difference in graduation rates between the top and bottom income groups has widened over two decades."
Gainesville Times, November 21, 2011: Free, reduced school lunches an indicator of poverty; Officials say hungry kids are prone to learning problems
"More than 60 percent of students in Hall and Gainesville schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunches."
The New York Times, November 21, 2011: Abandoned by Parents, Homeless and Now Preparing for College
"His smile was ever-present. His energy matched the campus's. He talked about eventually pursuing a communications major. He could be any other incoming freshman. Except Mr. Joseph, 21, was homeless. He was also in CUNY Start, a preparatory program for college-bound G.E.D. recipients."
Democrat and Chronicle, November, 21, 2011: Grant to boost housing for local elderly
"The Urban League of Rochester Economic Development Corp. has been awarded $2.85 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer announced last week."
Charlotte Observer, November 20, 2011: High schooler draws attention to the homeless
"There's no doubt in my mind this couple belonged to the homeless population that 17-year-old Forestview High School senior Megan Brunnemer is so concerned about.She's a pretty remarkable person. Recently, Megan came up with a project to raise awareness about the plight of the homeless and to raise money for the cause."
The New York Times, November 19, 2011: The near poor: Older, married, suburban, struggling
"These Americans form a down-but-not-quite-out group -- sometimes called "near poor" and sometimes simply overlooked -- and a new count suggests they are far more numerous than previously understood."
The Associated Press, November 18, 2011: Calif. health centers for seniors to stay open
"'The settlement ensures that even in these challenging economic times, critical community-based services will be preserved, and low-income seniors and people with disabilities will avoid unnecessary hospitalization or institutionalization,' Gershon said."
The News & Observer, November 18, 2011: Wake to recommend capping Walnut Creek Elementary
"The overcrowding at Walnut Creek comes after school leaders pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional funding into the school in a bid to help the high-poverty school. School officials plan to provide even more resources because of the overcrowding."
