Not Just Anything Helps

The Oxford dictionary informs us that poverty is the state of “lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.” While this is certainly a symptom of poverty, the root causes always run deeper.

Poverty is about much more than just a lack of ‘material’ resources. The root cause may be, for example, a traumatic past, a lack of skills, or an inherited feeling of helplessness. Every situation is different. Some people need to reconnect with family, some need help with money management, and some just may need childcare so they can pursue their education.

The point is one-size-fits-all solutions and simple transfers of money are ineffective as they fail to address root causes of poverty. Personalized and relational solutions to poverty are essential and compassionate individuals like you right here in our community are best suited to deliver them!

Think about it- If poverty were simply a matter of lacking the money to get ahead, then every expansion of government welfare programs should result in a new segment of the poor permanently regaining independence and escaping poverty. Yet even though the government now spends about $16,000 per poor person per year, the poverty rate has remained roughly constant.

Because every individual’s situation is unique, our help should be too. Let’s partner together in effective charity and be a part of real solutions in our community which are relational, responsible, and compassionate.