business community anti-poverty initiative report on proposed new initiatives to reduce poverty in...
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Business Community Anti-Poverty Business Community Anti-Poverty InitiativeInitiative
Report on Proposed New Initiatives to Reduce Poverty in Saint John
Spring, 2000
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE
BackgroundBackground
WHO: 100 BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS
WHERE: GREATER SAINT JOHN WHEN: ESTABLISHED IN 1997
WHY: BILL GALE WHAT: CATALYST TO PROVE POVERTY
SITUATION - BREAK THE CYCLE HOW: 7 WORKING GROUPS + CABINET
OCTOBER 19, 1999 MEETING: WHAT COULD BCAPI DO THAT WOULD BEST EFFECT SIGNIFICANT AND ONGOING REDUCTIONS IN
POVERTY?
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE
Poverty StudyPoverty StudyTerms of ReferenceTerms of Reference
STATUS, EXISTING SUPPORTS, GAPS, BEST
PRACTICES
FOCUS?
RECOMMENDATIONS
ACTION PLAN
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE
STUDY FINDINGSSTUDY FINDINGS
POVERTY IN SAINT JOHN
EXISTING SUPPORTS & GAPS
BEST PRACTICES
The City of Saint John has a poverty rate 35% higher than the provincial and national averages and 145% higher than the remainder of Greater Saint John.
19,100 people in the city live in poverty.
The City of Saint John has a poverty rate 35% higher than the provincial and national averages and 145% higher than the remainder of Greater Saint John.
19,100 people in the city live in poverty.
20%19%
20%
27%
11%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Canada NB Greater SJ City of SJ Remainderof Greater
SJ
Geographic Area
% living in poverty1996
5.5M 137,300 24,800
19,100
6,000
Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Canadian Council on Social Development
INCIDENCE OF POVERTYINCIDENCE OF POVERTY
73% of people living in poverty (i.e. 13,900) in the City of Saint John are part of a family.
73% of people living in poverty (i.e. 13,900) in the City of Saint John are part of a family.
73%
27%
Families
Unattached
FAMILY UNITS AND POVERTYFAMILY UNITS AND POVERTY
Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Canadian Council on Social Development
Couples with No Children Under 18
Couples with Children Under 18
Single Parent Families with Children Under 18
All Other Families
Poor
21%
23%43%
13%
Non Poor
51%
34%
5% 10%
FAMILY UNITS AND POVERTY
Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Canadian Council on Social Development
Further, people living in poverty in the City of Saint John are over 8 times more likely to be part of a single parent family compared to people not living in poverty. Further, people living in poverty in the City of Saint John are over 8 times more
likely to be part of a single parent family compared to people not living in poverty.
Gender
88%
12%
WomenMen
Poor
43%
GENDERGENDER
Source: Statistics Canada 1996
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, approximately 88% of them are women.
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, approximately 88% of them are women.
Age of Children
53%
26%
21%
0 - 5 years6 to 11 years12 to 17 years
Poor
43%
AGE OF CHILDREN
Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Human Development Council
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1125 (53%) of them have children aged 5 and under.
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1125 (53%) of them have children aged 5 and under.
Weeks Worked
11%
15%
21%
53%
26-52 Weeks
13-26 Weeks
1-12 Weeks
Didn't Work
Poor
43%
EMPLOYMENT
Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Human Development Council
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1,095 (53%) of them do not work at all. The majority receive Social Assistance. The longer they are on
Social Assistance, the less employable they become due to attitude and learned helplessness.
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1,095 (53%) of them do not work at all. The majority receive Social Assistance. The longer they are on
Social Assistance, the less employable they become due to attitude and learned helplessness.
Education
56%
27%
31%
Less than Secondary CertificateSecondary CertificatePost-Secondary
Poor
43%
EDUCATION
Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Human Development Council
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1130 (56%) of them have not attained a high school certificate. However, this is a lower percentage than that
of the entire poor population in the City of Saint John (64%).
Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1130 (56%) of them have not attained a high school certificate. However, this is a lower percentage than that
of the entire poor population in the City of Saint John (64%).
Source: NB Department of Education, Policy and Planning Branch
PROVINCIAL DROPOUT RATE BY REASON, 1998PROVINCIAL DROPOUT RATE BY REASON, 1998
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Suspension
Academic Problems
Financial Problems
Personal Problems
Employment
Alternate Education
Registered to Return Later
Grade School Dropout Rates
Personal Problems such as lack of interest, pregnancy, lack of child care and family problems account for 70% of grade school dropouts in New Brunswick.Personal Problems such as lack of interest, pregnancy, lack of child care and family problems account for 70% of grade school dropouts in New Brunswick.
INCIDENCE OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY AMONG NB YOUTH
31%
51%
47%
26%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Grade 9 Grade 11
% o
f Se
xua
lly A
ctiv
e S
tud
ent
s
NB
Canada
The Province of New Brunswick has a higher incidence of sexually active junior high and high school students when compared with the national average.
The Province of New Brunswick has a higher incidence of sexually active junior high and high school students when compared with the national average.
Source: Canada Youth and Aids Study, 1989
The City of Saint John has an incidence of teenage pregnancy significantly higher than that of the province, having declined little in the nineties. 1997 saw 50.6 births per thousand females (5%) in Saint John compared with 31.1 (3%) in the province.
In Saint John, 120 teens become pregnant each year.
The City of Saint John has an incidence of teenage pregnancy significantly higher than that of the province, having declined little in the nineties. 1997 saw 50.6 births per thousand females (5%) in Saint John compared with 31.1 (3%) in the province.
In Saint John, 120 teens become pregnant each year.Source: Vital Statistics, DHC, New Brunswick Statistical Agency (Population Estimates - August 4, 1999)
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Year
Ra
te p
er
tho
usa
nd
fe
ma
les, a
ge
d 1
5-1
9
Saint John New Brunswick
+ Includes females aged 15 - 19
CHALLENGES FACING SINGLE PARENTS
Lack family support
Estimated 20% incidence of alcohol and drug abuse
High probability of having been physically, sexually or mentally abused (by family or partner)
Suicidal tendencies
Very low self-esteem
Lack basic life skills (e.g. hygiene)
THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING FOCUS
A person living in poverty in the City of Saint John is most likely to:
Be a single parent (43% of families living in poverty are headed by a single parent compared to only 5% of families living above the poverty line)
Be female (88% of single parents are women)
Be between 21 and 39 years of age
Have two children under 5 years of age
INVENTORY OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICESINVENTORY OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Meeting Basic NeedsPromoting Economic
DevelopmentBuilding SkillsRemoving Barriers
physical security life skillschild care *
health/mental health self-employmentlanguage trainingwork-related costs*
access to capitalliteracy/numeracyhealth-related costs
technical assistancejob searchdisability-related barriers
academic upgrading/ job training
skills accreditation
access to transportation*
• food• housing; utilities• clothing• clean water; sanitation• protection from violence; abuse
• Health care services• early childhood development• self-esteem; support• counselling; mental health
services• substance abuse services
• Reviewed 47 programs
• Focus of programs:• Basic needs
• Self-esteem/support• Building skills
• Job search• Job creation• Life skills• Academic upgrades
• Most programs provide some support services
• Capacity exists in many programs
Source: Torjman, Sherri, Community Based Poverty Reduction
job creation/retention
* Support services
INVENTORY OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Meeting Basic NeedsPromoting Economic
DevelopmentBuilding SkillsRemoving Barriers
physical security job creation/retentionchild care
health/mental health self-employmentlanguage trainingwork-related costs
access to capitalliteracy/numeracyhealth-related costs
technical assistancejob search
academic upgrading/ job training
skills accreditation
access to transportation
• food• housing; utilities• clothing• clean water; sanitation• protection from violence;
abuse
• Health care services• early childhood development• self-esteem; support• counselling; mental health
services• substance abuse services
• There are approximately 150 service organizations in Saint John; information has been gathered on 45 programs
• Many programs targeted beyond PLPs
• 25 programs account for $6M - includes approx. 175 staff
• Over 750 volunteers involved in organizations
Source: Torjman, Sherri, Community Based Poverty Reduction
Life skills
Disability related barriers
BEST PRACTICES CONTACTED TO DATE
Langs Farm Village Association, Cambridge, On. - Community development organization targeting social assistance recipients.
West End Community Ventures, Ottawa, On. - Community economic development project designed to increase community wealth.
Yonge St. Mission, Toronto, On. - Community development project designed to assist youth and battered women break the poverty cycle.
Massey Centre, Toronto, On. - Centre established for high risk young mothers teaching job, life, day to day living skills.
OP2000, Waterloo, On. - Project designed to move 2000 people out of poverty.
Parry Sound Harvest Share Program, Parry Sound, On. - Food security program.
BEST PRACTICES CONTACTED TO DATE (continued)
Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Sandy Hill, On. - Health centre providing services to non insured and addictions abuse clientele.
761 Community Development Corp., Toronto, On. - Economic development project funding new businesses operated by PLPs.
Edmonton Kids in the Hall Bistro, Edmonton, Al. - Program for “at risk” youth providing training for life skills and job skills with job placement opportunities.
BEST PRACTICES COMMON THEMES
Philosophy
Concentrate on programs to break the cycle
Holistic approach
Develop strategies for target groups as needs vary widely
Avoid government-type supports which maintain systemic issues and are considered very restrictive
Non judgmental environment
Involve the people and community in decision making
Approaches/Programs
Vital to provide life skills, self esteem programs
Vital to provide supports after social assistance
Concentrate on youth programs and supports
Programs should provide learnings, not just handouts
Computer training programs
Creation of long term jobs3.8
BEST PRACTICES COMMON THEMES
Getting Help
Partnerships with business community
Partnerships with healthcare community
Seek expert advice from private sector
Other
Ensure strategic plan in place for new projects including ways and means to meet objectives
Allocate adequate administration resources
Qualified trained staff best investment
Maintain focus
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE
RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS
TARGET - SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES HOW
MAXIMIZE USE OF EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS / INITIATIVES
BCAPI ROLE - CATALYST
- SUPPORTER
- INITIATOR OF LAST RESORT
COORDINATOR
9 SPECIFIC PROGRAMS
TARGETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIESTARGETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
PREGNANT PREGNANT TEENSTEENS
PREGNANT PREGNANT TEENSTEENS
SINGLE SINGLE PARENTSPARENTSSINGLE SINGLE
PARENTSPARENTS
CHILDREN OF CHILDREN OF SINGLE PARENTSSINGLE PARENTSCHILDREN OF CHILDREN OF
SINGLE PARENTSSINGLE PARENTSTEENSTEENSTEENSTEENS
Helping reduce poverty among single parents will require a focus on four related target groups. Successfully addressing the needs of these groups will help break the poverty
cycle in Saint John.
Helping reduce poverty among single parents will require a focus on four related target groups. Successfully addressing the needs of these groups will help break the poverty
cycle in Saint John.
PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONSPROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS
RecommendationsRecommendations
1. Teens
1.1 “Teen Choice” Program
1.2 Information Dissemination
2. Pregnant Teens
2.1 Support First Steps Program
2.2 Support School Day Cares
3. Single Parents
3.1 Case Managers
3.2 Referral System
3.3 Retention of Health Benefits
4. Children of Single Parents
4.1 Childhood Development Prog.
4.2 Funding for School-age Kids
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE
NEXT STEPS FOR BCAPINEXT STEPS FOR BCAPI
COMMUNICATIONS
COORDINATOR
COLLABORATION
DETAILED PLANNING
IMPLEMENTATION