EDITORIAL: Tackling Waco poverty
The Waco City Council’s commitment to move the issue of poverty to the forefront of their agenda is a bold step toward tackling poverty in Central Texas during these times of economic uncertainty.
That the council has vowed to also reach out to local poverty experts for advice also shows that our city leaders are open to trust those most familiar with local needs and issues.
Indeed, poverty has been an issue plaguing Waco and many U.S. cities for decades. Although the financial effects of this recession will not truly be known for years, we know many among us are struggling.
In Waco, an estimated 27 percent of people were rated poor in 2008, far more than the statewide average of 17.3 percent in 2009, according to U.S. Census data.
So it’s heartening to hear that the council plans to develop a 10-year master plan to battle poverty. If their mission is given the same zeal and energy as they have to recent initiatives to improve education and revitalize downtown, we should see real effects.
Jimmy Dorrell, executive director of Mission Waco, whose nonprofit organization helps the poor and homeless, called this “a watershed moment.”
Dorrell is part of a “Poverty Solutions Group,” that has been studying poverty issues with the council this past year. The group had suggested putting poverty at the top of its priority list.
“Awareness is the first step and dealing with it is the next,” Dorrell said.
Some members of his group are expected to form a new council commission group that will take this up. Ultimately, they hope next year the city can afford to hire an employee who is a liaison with nonprofits and coordinate efforts to help the poor.
With the poor earning $22,050 for a family of four (or less), certainly in these days they can use the help.
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