5.6% of children (age 0-17) in the London CMA lived in families with incomes below the LICO in 2008, compared with 9.1% of both the province’s and nation’s children. This means, 1 of every 5 children born today in London, will live in poverty (CYN Sept. 2008). (Statistics Canada)
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Gap Between Rich & Poor
When there is a large gap between the rich and poor in our community we are all affected. The fact is, anyone of us can find ourselves suddenly at the bottom of the income scale. A crippling accident, a market downturn, a divorce, can sometimes result in unexpected poverty.
Identifying the shortfalls assists us in improving our community by helping those who need it most. Though data indicates that average family income is increasing, there is still a troubling gap between those who have and those who have not.
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1 IN 5Child Poverty Rate
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9.2%Overall Poverty Rate
In 2008, 9.2% of the people in the London CMA had incomes below the Low Income Cut Off (LICO), compared with 9.3% in Ontario and 9.4% in Canada. Though our city fairs better overall, there is much room for improvement.(Statistics Canada)
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2,509Children’s Aid Society
In 2009-2010 the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex completed 2,509 investigations of child abuse and neglect, provided protection and counselling services to 1,256 families with 1,306 children in the community. Despite efforts to reduce the number of children in care, the number continues to rise. (Children’s Aid Society)
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5.6%Child Poverty Rate
5.6% of children (age 0-17) in the London CMA lived in families with incomes below the LICO in 2008, compared with 9.1% of both the province’s and nation’s children. (Statistics Canada)
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94%Emergency Shelter Use
In 2008, the City of London had a total of 360 emergency shelter beds with a 94% occupancy rate. Occupancy rates are influenced significantly by social conditionals and trends existing in the municipality. (Ontario Municipal Benchmarking Initiative, 2009)
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9.2%Overall Poverty Rate
In 2008, 9.2% of the people in the London CMA had incomes below the Low Income Cut Off (LICO), compared with 9.3% in Ontario and 9.4% in Canada. Though our city fairs better overall, there is much room for improvement.
(Statistics Canada) -
3,115Use of Food Banks
In 2009, an average of 3,115 people per month visited the Food Bank as compared to an average of 2,368 families in 2001. 37.4% of clients helped were children and youth. 27.5% of families visiting the food bank had no income. (London Food Bank)
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1.8%Elderly Poverty Rate
In 2008, the low-income rate for the elderly population in the London CMA (1.8%) is lower than the provincial low-income rate (4.4%) and the national low-income rate (5.8%). (Statistics Canada)
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1 IN 5Child Poverty
1 of every 5 children born today in London, will live in poverty (CYN 2009 Report).
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London Community Foundation’s Neighbourhood Building Program
Neighbourhood connections, like social connections, provide children and their families with experiences of belonging and shared membership. This unique grant program supports a variety of projects to address specific challenges in London’s low income neighbourhoods.
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Museum London’s Summer Classes for Young Artists
In an effort to increase community access to their Summer Art Program for children, Museum London was able to offer free registration to children with financial need by partnering with Project Camp of Children’s Aid Society.
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Looking good, feeling better: The Cinderella Project
Every girl should feel that they can attend their prom/graduations with pride and that financial status should not be an issue. London Cinderella Project helps by providing young ladies with grade eight grad and prom attire.
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London’s Family Neworks
The first project of its kind in Ontario, London’s Family Networks provides access to the professional and other community services necessary to keep the family together safely by offering crisis response 24 hours a day. www.familynetworks.ca
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London’s Child & Youth Network
More than 130 local agencies and individuals are committed to working together to do what is best for children, youth and families. The four working priorities include ending poverty, making literacy a way of life, leading the nation in increasing healthy eating and healthy physical activity and creating a family-centred service system. www.london.ca/cyn
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London Community Foundation’s Neighbourhood Building Program
Neighbourhood connections, like social connections, provide children and their families with experiences of belonging and shared membership. This unique grant program supports a variety of projects to address specific challenges in London’s low income neighbourhoods.
-
Museum London’s Summer Classes for Young Artists
In an effort to increase community access to their Summer Art Program for children, Museum London was able to offer free registration to children with financial need by partnering with Project Camp of Children’s Aid Society.
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Dental Outreach Community Services (DOCS)
This program of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry offers free dental care for struggling families by bringing mobile dental clinics into low income communities.
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London’s Family Neworks
The first project of its kind in Ontario, London’s Family Networks provides access to the professional and other community services necessary to keep the family together safely by offering crisis response 24 hours a day. www.familynetworks.ca
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London’s Child & Youth Network
More than 130 local agencies and individuals are committed to working together to do what is best for children, youth and families. The four working priorities include ending poverty, making literacy a way of life, leading the nation in increasing healthy eating and healthy physical activity and creating a family-centred service system. www.london.ca/cyn
On January 15, a rally for people of all faiths to address poverty will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The objectives of this event are:
• To unite leaders of faith
• To increase community awareness
The Growing Gap: a rally for people of all faiths to address poverty – Sunday, 15 January 2012 from 12:30-2:00 pm. St. Paul’s Cathedral, 472 Richmond Street (at Queens). Everyone welcome. Refreshments 12:00-12:30 pm. www.stpaulscathedral.on.ca/growinggap
The Federal Government is about to review rules governing charitable donations and look at boosting the tax credit. Everyone should call their MP and ask why the Federal tax credit for the first $200 of annual donations is only half the credit accorded for donations over $200! The first $200 should earn the same tax credit as the remainder of donations - and it would encourage higher donations to worthwhile charitable causes. Or does the Government think it is appropriate to skimp on the reimbursement made available to those stretching their means to donate even $200?
This blog entry http://bit.ly/lsOONf is written by an attendee of the June 6th launch of a religious social action coalition to fight poverty in London.
LIFE*SPIN recently posted an on-line edition of "How To Get There From Here". It is intended to provide information directly to the individuals searching for resources and supports that will provide a foundation to move forward in their paths to self-sufficiency.
http://lifespin-org.doodlekit.com/home/mediationadvocacy
LIFE*SPIN is dedicated to providing information and support to individuals surviving on low-incomes.
Kudos to the leaders of First St. Andrews United, Metropolitan United Church, The Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Anglican), the Sisters of St. Joseph, Temple Israel of London, and the London Muslim Mosque as they challenge all of us to use our vote for the person or party who will do the most to bridge the gap between the rich and poor see London Free Press article: http://bit.ly/ffHCP7
Here's a practical and easy way to contribute to the fight against poverty.
You can add your voice of support by visiting this website:
http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/act/support-the-report-help-make-a-brea...
Poverty is something that we choose to have in our community based on the policies and politicians we endorse. Feel free to watch my 5 minute video on why homelessness in London is a policy problem, rather than a personal problem: http://www.abeoudshoorn.com/blog/?p=66.
All poverty is soul-crushing. I am glad that you are addressing the needs of children and youth BUT you are ignoring a huge group: seniors. Those receiving ODSP or welfare loose their access to dental, eyeglasses, orthotics, hearing aids once they turn 65. The allowance for rent/utilities is far from barely adequate and so most must live in unsafe even unhealthy conditions. With the economic crash, this will only get worse as many seniors will have lost life savings and pensions. Don't ignore us anymore! Thanks for your attention.
Cultivate a sense of abundance -- Think you don’t have enough to spare for those less fortunate than you? Cultivate a sense of abundance and gratitude and you may be surprised how much you can find to share with those in need – whether it is time, money, skills or possessions.
Volunteer -- Tackling poverty means providing better opportunities for at-risk kids to learn. Volunteer your time at an After School Program like The London Public Library’s R.E.A.D. Program, which helps kids develop a love of reading.
Make a choice -- Seventeen percent of families in London live below the Low Income Cut-Off and one in five children lives in poverty. An $85 donation to United Way www.uwlondon.on.ca will provide an individual living in poverty with weekly meals for a year.
Foster or adopt a child -- Make a difference in the life of a child. Visit the Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex at www.caslondon.on.ca to find out how you can become a foster or adoptive parent.
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