Poverty In Lakewood: A Primer

I have had the privilege to serve on the Lakewood Citizens’ Advisory Committee (2010-2013), which aids in the distribution of federal block grant dollars to both the city and local non-profits that serve Lakewood residents. About 15% of the roughly $1.7 million allocated to Lakewood can go to human services. So the likes of Lakewood Human Services, Lakewood Community Services Center, North Coast Health, Lakewood Alive and others receive funds to help Lakewood’s neediest households.

During, and since that experience, I’ve pursued a calling to serve others as a vocation. I currently do so as the Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides food and emergency assistance across northeast Ohio. This overstates my role, as it is the work of over 1,000 volunteers that truly makes the difference.

Despite, and maybe because of all of the above, there is much more to learn about the profound need that many people in Lakewood have on a daily basis. My hope is that by building awareness (mine and hopefully yours) that we can grow as neighbors and neighborhoods to lift people out of poverty and eventually outgrow the "not in my backyard" mentality that human nature can bring about due to unfamiliarity.

Where do we begin? Some numbers: In Lakewood, about 16% of residents live at or below the federal poverty level, with about 5% living below 50% of the same level (based on US Census Data). The threshold represents the annual amount of cash income minimally required to support families of various sizes. The methodology for calculating the line was established in the mid-1960s and (unfortunately) has not changed in the intervening years.  The thresholds are updated annually to account for inflation (National Poverty Center).

Additionally, over 50% of our Lakewood public school children receive free or reduced lunch. Because the poverty level often falls short of the actual cost of living, free lunch is based on living at 130% of the poverty level and reduced lunch is based on 180%.

I give these statistics as a starting point, since we can get caught up in numbers and how things get measured. One household having to choose between food at their table or heat for their home is too many, so I hope to speak with our residents in need and those who serve them, so that we can begin lifting our neighbors up and raising the bar for everyone.

I have no doubt that housing will be central to the discussion, and possibly the solution. Seniors, specific neighborhoods, the chronically poor, the key voices serving the people of our community and other topics will also be discussed. As this conversation continues in print (hopefully) over the next few issues, I also encourage readers to utilize “the Deck” to provide insight and feedback. Look for the “Poverty & Hunger in Lakewood” Thread.