There are several kinds of useful resources on this page. We are also asking the public to contribute new ideas and content to our resources. There are several specific categories of resources—
- New ideas and ideas that might work—brainstorm anything that could work! Propose new: Legislation, programs, volunteer groups, or other!
- Existing programs, groups and legislation that work.
- Sources—articles, books, people, websites of useful information.
Websites
The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness is an effective coalition working to find ways to end homelessness. They have virtually wiped out homelessness for veterans, and hope to end all chronic homelessness in our state in a few years. They provide speakers and great ideas!
Books
Our Kids, The American Dream in Crisis, by Robert D. Putnam
Great book that describes how the latest generation of kids has changed, with poverty still a huge problem. Offers some useful solutions. Author is wonderful—he has responded to some of my e-mail inquiries.
Teaching With Poverty in Mind, by Eric Jensen
Great book. Details the impact poverty has on students, some of which is shocking—physical damage is done to a child’s brain growing up in poverty! Offers many useful solutions. Essential book to read!
The End of Poverty, by Jeffrey D. Sachs
Wonderful, hopeful book. Describes global efforts to end poverty. While not specific to our efforts, the author lays out a methodology to attack the issue—set specific goals and dates to accomplish them by. He shows how the world is doing this, with great success through UN Millennium Development Goals.
Regulating the Poor, by Frances Fox Piven and Richard A. Cloward
A history of how governments have regulated the poor, with some shocking explanations of why!!
Additional resources
These are small houses Detroit is building to house homeless community members.
This is a great program linking prisoners with their children through reading common books, run by retired teachers in Connecticut. Joy Haenlin is the contact person.
AFT National President Randi Weingarten on why we must end poverty.
Local Progress is a group of locally elected officials from all over the country who are progressive. I have attended workshops by them—many members are from large urban areas and are working on initiatives to fight poverty.
Poverty Workshop—Education, Poverty and Unionism in the 21st Century
Presented by the New York State Unified Teachers, this workshop explores the changing socioeconomic landscape of our time and its effect on our everyday lives. Participants can expect to look at the past and into the future to understand socioeconomic trends, and the effect that trends have on education and unionism. Participants explore how unionism can serve to “move us forward” through the understanding and mobilization of members.
The Institute for Children Poverty and Homelessness
This New York City organization conducts research on poverty, children, and homelessness, issues publications, and conducts workshops.
Feeding America
Feeding America is a network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 meal programs nationwide. Together they feed more than 46 million Americans, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors. Members of the network also advocate for those struggling with hunger and seek to raise awareness of the issue.
Reduce the Impact of Poverty by Education 