The latest news, analysis and opinion on the state of low-income women and their families from Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity. For the week ending 1/7/2011: A look at a counseling and support program for women. Plus, research shows the impact a mother’s employment has on a child’s academics.
Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, is excited to collaborate with the Women’s Foundation to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty. Spotlight is the go-to site for news and ideas about fighting poverty.
Here’s this week’s news:
• An analysis of 50 years of research found that the children of low-income, single-mother-led families did better on achievement tests and had fewer behavioral problems when their moms were employed, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
• The Knoxville News Sentinel profiles several women once struggling with drug abuse, homelessness, or poverty who gained counseling and support from “A Hand Up,” a program whose classes teach women ranging from pregnant teens to widows how to become self sufficient.
• Paul LePage, Maine’s recently elected governor, asked Jennifer Cloukey, a single mother who has multiple jobs and is attending college, to be an honored guest at his inauguration and answer questions from the media in hopes of disproving the misconception that people on welfare do not have a work ethic, as reported in the Bangor Daily News.
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The Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity team
