ACF PARTNERSHIPS FOR POVERTY REDUCTION + OTHER RECENT GRANTS

Campaign for poverty reduction building momentum

writes Peter Clutterbuck of the Social Planning Network of Ontario

Sustaining employment.  Livable Incomes.  Strong and supportive communities.

When it comes to tackling poverty, these are the core messages that are emerging from communities across Ontario.

The Social Planning Network of Ontario is currently traversing the province to build support for a bold poverty reduction vision.  Local social planning members and community partners in 12 cities are bringing together Ontarians from all walks of life to discuss the best way to move forward on an anti-poverty plan. 

Low income people, volunteers and employees in the social, health and education sectors, leaders in the faith and labour communities, and even some business leaders are all at the table, their sleeves rolled up to tackle poverty.  They are asking: what causes poverty, what are the solutions, and how can these be implemented to create change?

With a provincial consultation on poverty reduction expected this spring, communities in North Bay, Cornwall, Kingston, Belleville, Sudbury, Pickering, Burlington, Hamilton, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, North Bay and Cornwall, all are ready have their say.

They want sustaining employment that assures a living standard above poverty for any adult who works full time throughout the year. Livable incomes that assure dignity for all Ontarians — including those unable to work.  And strong and supportive communities with affordable housing, early learning, child care, public education, and community programs that help people connect.

The “Pathways to Common Priorities on Poverty Reduction” tour is being led by the Social Planning Network of Ontario in collaboration with Ontario Campaign 2000 and the Income Security Advocacy Centre.  Local media interest has been strong.  Front page headlines, prominent feature stories and editorial coverage, all are helping to shine the spotlight on a a Poverty Reduction Strategy.  Read coverage in the Hamilton Spectator, Sudbury Star. 

The mid-point of the SPNO spring campaign will be a policy conference on May 8 in Ottawa.  This will be an opportunity to review and discuss community response to poverty.

Then, it’s back into the field in communities across the province to continue the discussion and building support for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and plan for Ontario.   

For more information about the SPNO tour visit http://povertywatchontario.ca/

Peter Clutterbuck

April 5, 2008

Other Recent ACF Grants:

Houselink Community Homes in partnership with the Homecoming Community Choice Coalition to promote the rights of people with mental illness to live where they choose.

People for Education to place schools increasingly at the centre of public policy and community debates and to build an inclusive constituency for public education.

The Stop Community Food Centre to strengthen the connections between individual experiences, community action and positive systemic change.

Toronto First Duty  to further demonstrate integrated, accesible child care/kindergarten/and family service delivery with a focus on integration of of professions, staff teams, curriculum, pedagogy and family involvement.