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Local News

Friday, March 06, 2009

Poverty concerns climbing
Oiler's Lube Express - Findlay
By DENISE GRANT

Staff Writer

Thursday's turnout of 100-plus people for a "Bridges Out of Poverty" workshop shows a growing interest in a difficult topic, said Terie Dreussi Smith, guest speaker.

Smith opened the Findlay workshop, which explores the culture of poverty, by reading off a roster of the 135 people in attendance. There were mental health workers, probation officers, faith/church leaders, nonprofits, educators and hospice workers.

"There is always going to be a segment of the population that lives in poverty. It is called sustainable poverty, but what we are seeing now is a larger segment of the middle class slipping into poverty. ...It is our contention that poverty is not sustainable," Dreussi Smith said.

Hancock County is feeling the effects of the bad economy, coupled with economic hardship from floods in 2007 and 2008.

The unemployment rate is the highest it has been in 27 years. In 2007, Hancock County also had the second highest rate of foreclosures in the state.

In Hancock County's schools, the number of children now eligible for free and reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program is spiking. In Findlay, at least one elementary school now has more than 70 percent of its children eligible, which means they are living at or below the federal poverty level.

There's more:

• In 2008, Chopin Hall supplied families with a three-day supply of food 48,117 times.

• Hope House provided housing assistance to 1,663 people during 2008.

• By December 2008, 2,000 more individuals received income assistance, like food stamps and Medicaid, than in 2007.

"Bridges Out of Poverty" was planned and organized by a committee comprised of representatives of Hope House, the Family First Council, Ohio State University Extension, Findlay/Hancock County Community Foundation, United Way of Hancock County, the mental health services board, and the Community Partnership.

Dreussi Smith, of Greenville, S.C., co-authored the book, "Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities," with Ruby Payne and Philip DeVol. She has served as supervisor of prevention services at a community alcohol and drug treatment and prevention organization for more than nine years, and was instrumental in the organization's redesign of programs and services for clients from generational poverty.

Smith said those who live in poverty, along with those in the middle class and the wealthy, live by "hidden rules" that can, and should, be taught as a way of opening communication and hopefully moving more people out of poverty.

She used how the classes view time as an example. For the poor, the present and survival are most important. She called it "the tyranny of the moment."

She also described poverty as "demanding" and drew a "poverty pie" that included problems with transportation, crime, jobs, money, illness, housing and food.

For the middle class, many decisions are based on the future. For the wealthy, history and traditions are important.

Understanding the "hidden rules" of a culture, she said, helps nurture respect. She cited the tradition of an African tribe saying "I see you!" as a greeting. She said the poor are often invisible.

"They think 'Do you see me?' or is everything you are saying just talking to another case," Smith said.

On the Net:

www.ahaprocess.com

www.pbs.org/peoplelikeus



Grant: 419-427-8412,

Send an e-mail to Denise Grant
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
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Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.