RPA_02_DAurora_PCPoverty

Elizabeth D'Aurora

INTRO:

Some experts say we’re out of the recession.

But recent statistics reveal poverty rates in 2009 were the highest they’ve been since 2004.

One movement in Portage County is trying to combat poverty in the area.

TAKE PACKAGE:

New reports from the government indicate poverty rates in the United States reached all time highs in 2009.

(TAKE SS) According to the Huffington Post, poverty rates rose one point one percent from thirteen point two in 2008 to fourteen point three in 2009.

Director of Housing Services at Family and Community Services Cathey DeBord wasn’t surprised by the latest statistics.

TAKE SOT

I THINK IT’S BECOME CLEAR THAT THE MIDDLE CLASS IS ERODING AND THEY’RE JOINING THE RANKS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED THAT WAY ALL THEIR LIVES, SO IT’S NOT A SURPRISING STATISTIC.

(TAKE SS) The annual household income for a family of four to live below the poverty threshold is twenty one thousand nine hundred and fifty four dollars.

(TAKE SS) The latest number collected by the U-S Census Bureau reported eleven point eight percent of people in Portage County were living under the poverty level in 2008.

DeBord is aware that poverty isn’t just affecting the fourteen thousand people who live in poverty in Portage County.

TAKE SOT

POVERTY IS EVERYBODY’S PROBLEM – THE COMMUNITY PAYS FOR IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. THERE’S NOT MANY RESOURCES TO GO AROUND LIKE THERE USE TO BE AND THERE’S GOING TO BE LESS AND LESS.

STANDUP

FIGHTING POVERTY IN PORTAGE COUNTY IS THE GOAL OF THE EMPOWER PORTAGE PROGRAM. THE GROUP MEETS RIGHT HERE AT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ONCE A WEEK TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND HELP TRANSITION PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.

The grassroots group has joined with the national anti-poverty campaign Move the Mountain to bring people together for a better understand of different class levels.

Danny Gibbons was a graduate of the first class of Empower Portage who wants to continue his message of bringing the community together.

TAKE SOT

IF THE LOWER CLASS, IF WE COULD GET UNITY AND COME AS ONE BODY, THE HIGHER CLASS WOULD SEE A DIFFERENT VISION OF WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DONE.

Through Empower Portage, participants like Gibbons, want to see a community that can join as one.

TAKE SOT

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COMMUNITY COME AS ONE, TO COME CLEAN, RESPECTFUL, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE AS ONE BECAUSE WE’RE ALL LIVING AS ONE.

For TV2…I’m Elizabeth D’Aurora

TAG:

Empower Portage meets every Tuesday night at 5:30 at the Kent United Methodist Church.

Critique:

-A lot of graphics: good because they put the information on the screen and reinforce what is being said….bad because not a lot of video and nothing “exciting” to look at.

-I didn’t check the camera settings before I shot my standup and some broll so it’s different format. Stupid!!!!! mistake!

-Interview with Danny is dark, but it didn’t look that dark when I filmed it.

-I liked my graphics because I wasn’t experienced in making them and was pleased with how they turned out.

-I shot my standup myself and it turned out good.