The Changing Face of Poverty in Arizona
Current economic conditions have put more individuals and families into distress than at any other time in recent history, requiring Arizona to serve a growing population with ever-dwindling resource. Many Agencies are seeing a 60 – 80% increase in requests for assistance, many requests coming from families that have never asked for help before, from small business owners who cannot meet payroll, have seen their business drop off and who are in jeopardy of losing their homes and businesses and cannot pay their personal utility bills. Food banks are seeing more and more members of our community showing up to get food to feed their families – sometimes it’s the only meal the family will eat that day.
As part of ACAA’s ongoing Changing Face of Poverty Campaign, community forums are being held throughout Arizona to talk about the community strengths, needs and opportunities for innovation and collaboration as we all work to serve families and individuals who are struggling to survive during this very difficult economic time, and to ensure services are available for low-income families on an ongoing basis. To review the reports, please follow the links to the report for your community.
Pima County – Poverty Awareness and Action Workshop
Coconino County – Changing Face of Poverty Community Forum
Gila County – Changing Face of Poverty Awareness Workshop
Yavapai County – Changing Face of Poverty Community Forum
Pinal County – Strategic Crisis Management Meeting
Apache/Navajo Counties Poverty Awarness & Action Workshop
If you would like to find out how you can help, whether it is helping out financially, volunteering your time, donating food or in some other way, please contact Cynthia Zwick at czwick@azcaa.org.