GUEST COLUMN: Increasing awareness of poverty

This week, groups from across the University are joining to raise awareness of an issue that affects us all: poverty. America's economy is changing in some serious ways that are negatively affecting thousands of people, and we need to do something about it. Poverty and homelessness are escalating, while federal budget cuts are eliminating money from school lunch programs, education, low-income housing, health care and many other necessary and important programs. These changes are also affecting young people: there are a decreasing number of jobs for an ever-increasing number of applicants, it's harder to find jobs with benefits that pay decent wages -- and it is even more difficult to afford four years of college. Even college graduates are being impacted by the changing economy. In less than 5 years, for example, the number of applicants for a certain position at Swarthmore College has quadrupled, from 25 to 100. Five years ago, less than one-third of these applicants had bachelor's degrees. Now 90 percent have degrees and are highly qualified -- and the decision to hire is based solely on how many computer programs the applicant knows. This is not an isolated incident, but a scary trend in evidence throughout the country. What role can young people like us play in addressing these problems? Well, young people have been in the forefront of every great change and movement in American history -- and this week is your chance to become part of the tradition. This week is Poverty Awareness Week. With educational events, entertainment and other events happening every day, it's a perfect opportunity to get involved and educate yourself about the issues and realities of poverty. On Monday, stop by DuBois College House to be inspired by local author, activist and artist, Ronal Cassanova. He will share stories of his struggle with homelessness and poverty, along with his vision of uniting young people and poor people to end poverty. On Tuesday, the Newman Center will host a dinner to benefit local agencies working to end poverty. Tickets are $5, and include homemade soup and entertainment by the Gospel Choir, Full Measure and Living Water. On Friday, the Women's Center is hosting a seminar on "Women and Welfare," where you can learn from the stories told by people living in poverty in Philadelphia. These are just a handful of the Poverty Awareness Week events. For more information, pick up a schedule at the Program for Student Community Involvement in 200 Houston Hall or call 898-4831. The most exciting part of Poverty Awareness Week, however, will occur tomorrow, when you will have the opportunity to put your feet behind your feelings about poverty. "Get on the Bus" with us to Harrisburg for the Mass Workers Rally. This rally, sponsored by the AFL-CIO, marks the first time in history when labor unions and the unemployed will unite to protest cuts in welfare and health care. Workfare recipients will be paid less than minimum wage, will be prevented from unionizing and will often be taking their jobs from existing workers. Recipients will not get benefits like health care, will not be protected from discrimination and will not be guaranteed child care. Clearly, workfare -- just like cuts in Social Security and Medicaid -- affects young people. That's why you need to "Get on the Bus" tomorrow at 8 a.m., outside Houston Hall, to "bury workfare before it buries us all." As young people, we need to educate ourselves and take an active role in impacting the future of poverty policy in this country.

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