Last week, I was one of the lucky people who participated in the “Conversation on Poverty in Montgomery County” that Rebecca Wagner, Executive Director of Interfaith Works, blogged about last week.

The session that I attended was wonderful.

The room was filled with a cross-section of the Montgomery County community — concerned citizens, religious leaders, government representatives, philanthropists, advocates, direct service providers–the list goes on. And, everyone was committed to having a very serious conversation about poverty in Montgomery County.

Now, I must make a confession. Generally, I am not a big fan of facilitated meetings like this. Far too often, they consist of hours of talk that often veer off subject and lead to nothing happening.

And a year later, we have the same meeting and the same discussion again.

The conversation that Rebecca organized was just the opposite.

I participated in in-depth discussions about the challenges of bringing attention to the needs of the poor in Montgomery County when the public perception is that there isn’t much poverty in the County because it is so wealthy.

Sadly, the fact is that there are tens of thousands of people living below the federal poverty line in Montgomery County. And, because the cost of living in the County is so high, there are even more people who live there but cannot afford to support themselves and their families.

In addition, the County is very large and its population is very diverse (we tend to forget that there are still farms in Montgomery County), which poses unique obstacles to providing services that are accessible and appropriate. And, the demographic make-up of the County has been changing rapidly, which makes it hard for service-providers to keep up with the need.

The great news is that these Conversations have accomplished Interfaith Works’ goal – as a result of these convenings, other meetings are going to be held.

Most notably, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is going to host a meeting on October 10th to discuss an agenda to address these problems. For more information about this meeting, please contact Diana Day at the County HHS.

Here at The Women’s Foundation, this conversation feeds into our work in many ways.  It sets the stage for some meetings we will be holding on women and poverty later this year. It informs us of the needs in the County as we formulate our funding priorities for the next year.  And, it gives us the opportunity to learn about the work being done by nonprofits that we may not have worked with yet.

All in all, the Conversation on Poverty was a true success.

Sharon Levin is The Women’s Foundation’s Director of Policy Advocacy.

Earlier this week, Deborah Avens, executive director of Virtuous Enterprises–a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation–offered a blog post highlighting her take on the recent news around the economy. 

Deborah explained in her post, "Why the Color Green Can Wake up a Nation," "’We must act now!’ are four words that have gained great momentum to bail out financial institutions (green giants) on the verge of bankruptcy or closure. These words have radically shaken the corporate giants and current administration from a deep sleep because they no longer see green, but red.  The words, ‘We must act now’ did not gain its popularity from the failing financial institutions. These words have been quite popular among advocates that have been working to restore the vitality of our debilitating communities due to spiritual, economical, and social woes.

To read the full post with examples of some of the most urgent issues that Deborah sees impacting low-income families every day, as well as posts on other topics–particularly those affecting women–visit her blog, Sister Table Talk.

It seems that Gwen Rubinstein, a program officer here at The Women’s Foundation, isn’t the only one wondering about where the bailouts are for low-income families as the country faces the prospect of very expensive corporate bailouts.

On Friday, Hank Kalet, writing for his blog, Channel Surfing, asked, "Whatever happened to welfare reform?", quoting Gwen and noting, "If the banks and other lenders who created the economic mess that has Washington rushing to help were treated to the same kind of rules that apply to the poor, it is unlikely that this kind of bailout would even be proposed."

Gift Hub asked, "Whom would Jesus bail out?", quoting a theologian who observed, "That doesn’t mean that it escapes my notice, though, when the Congress and the world’s financial systems can within a week decide to allot more than a half a trillion dollars toward shoring up already-wealthy people and institutions. Under the circumstances, one can hardly avoid the conclusion that political leaders don’t think of malnutrition and starvation, disease, and the lack of educational resources and economic opportunity as not that big a crisis."

Last week, WomenseNews offered a piece by Mimi Abromavitz called, "Wall Street Takes Welfare It Begrudes to Women.  Abromavitz offers a historical perspective on the sliding economic security of women and concludes by saying, "The public bailout of corporate America may be necessary given the risks of a collapse to the global economy. But why is it that the rich and reckless accept "welfare" for themselves while steadfastly rejecting the same for women in need? It’s time to take a billion here and there to assist the women raising families on too little income to keep a roof over their heads."

Finally, the Washington Post had an article on Sunday by Joel Berg called, "No Rescue for the Hungry," which begins, "When social services advocates like me hear that the cost of the federal bailout of the finance sector might top a trillion dollars, we’re not quite sure how to process such a massive figure. Our country has been told that a gargantuan government rescue of the private sector is necessary because the collapse of major financial institutions would lead to unthinkable outcomes for society. Almost as if by magic, our nation’s leaders conjure up vast sums to respond to this crisis. Yet when advocates point out that our nation is facing an altogether different kind of crisis, one of soaring hunger and homelessness, and that a large-scale bailout is needed to prevent social service providers nationwide from buckling under the increasing load, we are told that the money these agencies need just doesn’t exist."

While it’s not $700 billion, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, and women’s funds throughout the country and the world, are striving to help build the economic security of low-income families–particularly those headed by single women. 

Here in Washington, there are 10 Ways that you can help set women and their families on a path to economic security.  If you’re not in the Washington metropolitan area, find a women’s fund near you by visiting the Women’s Funding Network.

Whatever happens on The Hill, there is still a way to make a difference in your community by investing in women and girls.  Join us. 

Why should single mothers register and vote?

According to Women Work!, a national nonprofit organization that advances economic justice and equality for women through education, advocacy and organizing, just 65 percent of women voted in the 2004 presidential election, leaving the needs and concerns of more than 35 million women - the majority of whom are single mothers and unmarried women - out of the political discourse.

And yet,  American poverty is disproportionately female.  Women earn less money than men.  Women are disproportionately segregated into lower-paying jobs.  And, women are far more likely to have family care responsibilities than men.

Women have much to gain by voting in the upcoming presidential election, so Virtuous Enterprises, Inc. will hold voting drives for single mothers on:

Friday October 3 – 10 am – 2 pm
Saturday October 4 – 10 am – 3 pm
Friday, October 10 – 10 am – 3 pm
Saturday October 11 – 10 am – 3 pm

Location: In The Lobby
4305 St. Barnabas Road
Temple Hills, MD 20748

Voter registrants will receive a Money Management Workshop voucher.  Vouchers will be activated with an “I Voted Sticker” and any other proof of voting material.

If you have any questions, please call 301.316.1955.

Deborah M. Avens is president of Virtuous Enterprises, Inc., a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation.  She blogs about issues impacting low-income women in the Washington metropolitan area at Sister Table Talk.

The Federal Treasury is on the verge of bailing out Wall Street with an infusion of $700 billion of taxpayer dollars.  Bad decisions by many actors (banks and lenders, consumers, insurers and others) have contributed to the crisis, we are told, and now it is an emergency.

What a difference a policy area makes.

In our nation’s social welfare programs, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, bad decisions are grounds for sanctions and a denial of assistance–not a helping hand or a cash infusion (Just imagine!).  Certainly, our leaders have not treated poverty as an emergency or a reason for government action.

Other differences abound….

Corporate welfare: Corporate executives, mostly men, being bailed out.

Social welfare: Mostly low-income women with children, being given minimal assistance, and certainly not enough to help move them out of poverty.

Corporate welfare: Few restrictions on the money.

Social welfare: TANF beneficiaries face numerous restrictions, including having to sign a “personal responsibility” statement in some states (Something, personally, I’d like to see these corporate executive do).

Corporate welfare: It is a major “concession” not to cap compensation to the executives in the affected firms.

Social welfare: Under TANF, most states impose income and asset limits on eligibility.  For assets, these limits are generally between $2,000 and $3,000.  In some states, if your car is worth much more than this, you are not eligible. (States similarly limit eligibility for Food Stamps and Medicaid.)

So, how many of our corporate executives would be disqualified from the bailout if this were taken into account? 

Corporate welfare: Few details about the accountability required under this bailout are available. Given the lobbying frenzy around the agreement, don’t expect much.

Social welfare:  Significant oversight, including additional and burdensome requirements around supervision and documentation of program participation enacted in 2005 and codified in regulations earlier this year.

Corporate welfare: $700 billion.

Social welfare: $16 billion per year, which has not changed since 1996.

Just think what a $700 billion investment in poverty reduction could do.  Bailouts to help low-income single mothers get job training to move them into careers with good pay and benefits, and a lifetime of economic independence.  Bailouts to support access to quality child care so that single mothers could afford to leave their children in a safe environment while they go to work.  Bailouts to support transportation vouchers that would get low-income parents to job training sites or worksites so that they can gain access to the careers and salaries that would eventually make them economically secure.

If only…

Gwen Rubinstein is a program officer at The Women’s Foundation.

New economic development initiatives can present outstanding opportunities for new partnerships – including partnerships that support employers and low-income single working women and their children.

That kind of thinking led Prince George’s Child Resource Center (PGCRC), with support from The Women’s Foundation, to reach out to Gaylord Hotels as it developed the National Harbor project on the Potomac River in Oxon Hill.

The goal: to connect low-income single mothers working at National Harbor to early care and education providers nearby.

The outcome: PGCRC is providing brochures and other information to National Harbor for its workers, and National Harbor is promoting PGCRC’s services through its human resources office and its internal communications with employees.

The work has also recently drawn the attention of the Prince George’s County Gazette.

No wonder. This is a smart strategy.

Gaining access to more affordable, reliable and convenient services for their children means the women working at National Harbor can become highly dependable workers, which has significant benefits for their employer and the community.

Gwen Rubinstein is a program officer at The Women’s Foundation.

You have to love this.  Today, I caught this post on Philanthromedia called, "The power of women’s funds."

The article discusses how women’s funds came to be, and, more importantly, their unique and deep impact not only on women and girls–but on poverty alleviation and building stronger communities.

The article explains, "The inroads women have made in the workforce have helped create a generation of successful businesswomen who can now devote their resources to crucial issues. There’s a whole group of women who earn their own money, have good careers, and are in a high income bracket, yet abhor the chasm between the haves and have-nots,” explains Virginia Sweet, Executive Director of The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham. “Women want to support other women and give back.”

To read more from Caroline Heine on women’s funds and the creative ways they’re tacking poverty throughout the country, check out the post.

Or, for an up close and personal view of the impact of women’s philanthropy on our own region, and the impact of 10 years of investing in women and girls, join us at our upcoming Leadership Luncheon!  We’ll be celebrating the power of 10 years of investing in our community by changing the lives of women and girls!

It is tough out there.  We are in a season of harsh realities. Our economy has gasped and sputtered and is close to stopping. 

Once comfortable retirees now worry about managing, while looking for part-time work. Recent hires, entry level and service workers are losing benefits, hours and eventually jobs.

The trends are going in the wrong direction.  Needs are growing and revenues are reduced.

These economic troubles are anxiety-inducing to us and terrifying for the families we see at our door at Interfaith Works.  Working poor families are literally falling off the cliff try to make ends meet.

Interfaith Works is a coalition of more than 140 congregations working together for 36 years to meet the needs of the poor in Montgomery County.  Last year, we served more than 30,000 residents in our County. We provide emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, centers for distribution of clothing, household goods, baby and school supplies, and emergency assistance for utilities and eviction prevention.

In my eight years at Interfaith Works the depth of need of those we serve has never been greater.

You have been reading the numbers every day—what we know is that in less than two years, the cost of fuel oil has increased 31%, gasoline 17%, eggs 63%, flour 39%, bread, 42%, milk 20%.

I would remind you that more than 50,000 people in Montgomery County–a third of them children–live below the federal poverty line of $16,000.

When you are living from pay check to pay check, there is no way to cover an additional $15 per week increase in gasoline to get to work, heating bills that are one third more, and food costs that are 20% more.

So what do we do when we work as hard as we are able, and we can’t support our families?

It is a chronic shortage of income that does people in– that brings them to Interfaith Works’ door. A family is short on rent one month because the utility bill was higher than expected, medication costs used the monthly budget for food, or work was missed because of a sick child that left the hourly wage worker short on pay.

The cycle continues.  If you are listening, you will hear people in pain.

Well, we are listening. Over the years many of us have been involved in work related to poverty in our community. Each of us has developed our own perspective on the complex and interrelated issues of poverty. We have been done many good things, but it is time to ask, “Are we doing the right thing?”

Interfaith Works is hosting a series of community discussions called “Changing the Conversation about Poverty in Montgomery County”. This opportunity is a time to reflect on our views and to explore new ways of thinking about poverty in the county.

This will not be just another brainstorming session.

Instead, we are bringing together a diverse group to share our thinking and engage in conversations that will be generated by a set of provocative questions.

These difficult times call for our renewed commitment and more than members of faith communities, elected officials, government staff, philanthropic organizations, corporate representatives, service providers, those receiving services and interested neighbors who are prepared to speak honestly to each other.

Now is the time for strengthening commitments to our work and our community.  We are “Changing the Conversation About Poverty in Montgomery County” and I hope you will join us.There is still time to sign up for this important conversation. Will you consider making time for this discussion scheduled on the following dates:

• Session #1: September 23, 2008, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Session #2: September 23, 2008, from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
• Session #3: September 24, 2008, from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
• Session #4: September 25, 2008, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Our location is the Vis Arts Center at 155 Gibbs Strett in Rockville.  Please R.S.V.P. to me or to Adria Olaleye if you plan on attending.

In addition to the four sessions listed above, an evening session is scheduled for September 24, 2008, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. This session is open to the general public and anyone interested in the issue of poverty in the county.

I look forward to spending time with you in conversation on the critical issue of poverty in our county.

Rebecca Wagner is executive director of Interfaith Works, formerly Community Ministry of Montgomery County, a non-sectarian interfaith coalition of more than 140 member and affiliated congregations representing over 65,000 families of many faiths, working together to meet the needs of the poor in Montgomery County, Maryland.

In my work on gender issues, I am acutely aware of the disproportionate impact that poverty has on women—–and when women are mothers, on their daughters and sons.

As the former president of Spelman College and Bennett College for Women, our nation’s only two historically Black colleges for women, I witnessed the crucial link between education and a woman’s economic security. And we all know that a woman’s own education will have an influence on whether her children expect to have a college education and whether or not she can afford to send her children to college.

In my current role as the chair of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute, I am keenly aware of the critical importance of advancing diversity and inclusion in our schools, our workplaces, and indeed in all arenas of our nation and our world. When different people are "at the table," different and innovative ideas come forth, and as a result, businesses can compete more successfully, schools can do a better job of educating students, and communities can more successfully tackle their problems.

There are countless examples of the value of bringing women and girls "to the table." That is why I am thrilled to have been invited to play a role in The Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Luncheon and 10th anniversary celebration.  Women’s philanthropy represents so much of what my work and learning have been about throughout my career:

The power of investing in women and girls.

The return on the investment for all of us when you bring a woman and her family out of poverty.

The power of people coming together to make a difference.

I understand that this year’s Leadership Luncheon will be like no other that has happened before. Rather than moderating a conversation among experts on a topic, I’ll be leading a special staged program that will at once be a discussion of the value of women’s philanthropy and the story of the collective power of giving together—told through the stories and experiences of key members of The Women’s Foundation community.

I’m really looking forward to being with you all on October 15th at the luncheon and to leading this exciting celebration capturing the power and potential of investing in women and girls!

Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole is Chair of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute and will be speaking at The Women’s Foundation’s 2008 Leadership Luncheon.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available!  We hope you can join us and experience firsthand The Power of Giving Together!

Today is Women’s Equality Day – the anniversary of the day that women finally won the right to vote in 1920.  In a year when a woman was a serious contender for the Presidency and another woman is Speaker of the House, we should take a moment to celebrate how much has changed thanks to the work and sacrifices of the suffragettes.

But when that moment is over, we need to start having a serious conversation about how far things still have to go.

Ironically, today is also the day that the Census Bureau releases the annual poverty statistics. It spells out just how unequal things still are for women when it comes to dollars and cents.

Single-women headed families are still far more likely to be in poverty than families headed by married-couples or single men.  More than 28 percent of families headed by a woman live in poverty.  In fact, of the 7.6 million families living in poverty, 4.1 million (well over half) are headed by single-women.

This has consequences not only for the women themselves, but for their children as well.  Between 2006 and 2007, the poverty rate for children increased. And, children living in women-headed families are far more likely to be poor. Forty-three percent of children under 18 living with a single mother were living in poverty and 54 percent of children under six living with a single mother were living in poverty as well.

What is one of the major reasons that women are poorer than men?

The fact is that women still earn less than men. In 2007, women earned 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man. 

This is the smallest the wage gap has ever been in history. So, let’s recognize it for what it is – a small step in the right direction.  But, it is a very small step. The reality is that the wage gap has barely increased in the past 20 years.  In 1983, the wage gap was 19.9 percent.  Today it is 22 cents.

So, to honor Women’s Equality Day, every person reading this blog should go out and demand that all candidates for office champion laws and programs that will assist women to have jobs that pay enough that they can support their families.  We need bold leaders if we are going to address the big issues like the wage gap and the poverty rate for women.

I know that The Women’s Foundation community is filled with the strong, visionary women that we need to get this job done.

Sharon Levin is The Women’s Foundation’s Director of Major Events and Policy Advocacy.