Defining Poverty

Module I -Key Concepts:

• Most communities respond to the crisis of poverty using reactive strategies instead of proactively addressing the root causes of poverty. The goal of this training - to help create an understanding of poverty so we can better support our families in crisis and create resiliency in our communities.

• The government definition of poverty - not having enough money to cover basic needs - suggests that the only solution to poverty is earning more.

• The federal guidelines for cost of living are based on a formula from 1967 and do not reflect the current cost of living. In Georgia, a living wage is $34.54 while the current minimum wage is $7.25.

• There are 4 types of poverty according to noted expert Dr. Donna Beegle:

  • Generational Poverty - in which a family has been in the crisis of poverty for two or more generations.

  • Working Class Poverty - is experienced by families who generally aren't eligible for federals assistance and struggle to make it to the next paycheck.

  • Situational Poverty - is experienced by families who have a crisis that temporarily moves them into poverty.