Last week, Washington Area Women’s Foundation and several of our Grantee Partners testified at an incredible DC City Council Roundtable Hearing called “Poverty Issues: Developing a Public/Private Strategy Aimed at Eliminating Poverty Among District Residents.”
I was truly impressed by the commitment to addressing poverty in our community that was apparent at this hearing. More than 100 people signed up to be witnesses – in fact, such a large number of people wanted to testify that the hearing had to be extended from one to two days!
Witnesses came from every corner of the District and from every segment of the anti-poverty community – funders (like The Women’s Foundation), academics, researchers, clergy, tenant association members, businesspeople…the list goes on.
The most moving testimony, though, came from those who provide services directly to the city’s low-income population (like our Grantee Partners) and the individuals who came forward to discuss how these programs helped them to move from poverty to financial independence. I am in awe of the bravery of the women and men who testified on the record (and on cable TV) about their very personal trials.
Among those Grantee Partners who testified: Capital Area Asset Builders, Covenant House Washington, DC Employment Justice Center, DC Women’s Agenda, Empower DC, MANNA Inc., Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, Inc., My Sister’s Place, Inc., the Rebecca Project for Human Rights, So Others Might Eat and Wider Opportunities for Women.
The commitment of the Members of the Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs is also to be commended. Chairman Marion Barry and Council Members Yvette Alexander, Muriel Bowser and Tommy Wells were all present for a significant portion of the two days of hearings. As somebody who has worked for two Members of Congress, I can tell you that that is an exceptional amount of time to dedicate to one hearing. All of the Councilmembers carefully listened to each of the witnesses and asked thoughtful questions of each – all 100-plus of them.
The question now, of course, is what happens next. Councilman Barry has stated that he plans to create a concrete policy agenda to address poverty in D.C. Hopefully, this effort will lead to the creation of, and additional funding for, effective programs that help low-income people acquire the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families. To that end, The Women’s Foundation will continue to offer our expertise.
I have to say, though, that regardless of what laws eventually get passed, I think the Roundtable Hearing had a purpose unto itself (and you cannot say that about every hearing that is held before the City Council). Experts had the chance to educate the Committee about the parameters of poverty in D.C. Anti-poverty organizations were able to discuss their programs directly with Councilmembers – and I saw several meetings being set up so that Councilmembers could follow-up on the testimony.
Most importantly, the hearing gave a voice to so many people who are often voiceless in Washington. It is a powerful thing to command the attention of lawmakers. It was inspiring to see that power handed to those who must need it.
To check out video of the testimony of The Women’s Foundation, its Grantee Partners and others, click here. These hearings took place on January 16th before the Housing Committee, and on January 17th before the Housing Committee.
To read The Women’s Foundation’s testimony:
Short version
Extended version
