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.
