Dear Reader,

In order to improve our service to the poverty journalism community, we are revamping the OnPoverty.org website and will return in September.

Thank you very much,
The OnPoverty.org staff

help for homeless

Kitchen program in Pittsburgh employs and feeds the homeless and addicts
05/03/2009  DIANA NELSON JONES  PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
Springboard Kitchens employs those who are homeless or struggling with addictions and other disorders to prepare meals that are served to others in similar situations. Social service agencies refer trainees and provide services to prepare them. If trainees are voted in, they then work weekdays while receiving behavioral training to enable them to get and keep jobs. Springboard launched in mid-February and revenue has already jumped from $5,000 to $12,000, with 320 meals delivered a day.

Talk about it!

social security

No rise in Social Security benefits in 2010
04/02/2009  ROBERT PEAR  THE NEW YORK TIMES  WASHINGTON
Social Security recipients will not get any increase in their benefits next year for the first time in more than three decades because federal forecasts do not anticipate the cost of living will rise enough to warrant a bump in benefits. If there is no cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security, about one-quarter of beneficiaries could face substantial increases in their premiums for doctors’ services and drug coverage under Medicare.

Talk about it!

shelter

Indiana homeless shelter charges residents
05/05/2009 SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE SOUTH BEND, IND.
The South Bend Center for the Homeless has served over 44,000 men, women and children for free since it opened in 1988. Recently, the center has asked residents to contribute a few dollars for room and board. The center began charging $5 for food each day beginning April 1, and a $1 “program fee” starting May 1. The “program fee” includes housing for guests staying for more than 45 days. Those who stay more than 180 days pay $3.33 each day. Residents who receive governmental assistance can also pay for meals with food stamps. The center allows the needy who cannot afford the fees to do chores in the center in exchange for their stay.  

Talk about it!

Featured

Dexter Burnett, left, about to score his second goal for his team, made up of homeless people photo by Michelle V. Agins (The New York Times)

Soccer league provides new outlet for the homeless
04/02/2009  JULIE BOSMAN  THE NEW YORK TIMES
Street Soccer USA is a 16-city network of homeless players that operates under Help USA, a national homeless services provider. The program has been credited with helping players pull themselves out of homelessness. It has strict guidelines, such as forbidding players to show up drunk and requiring them to discuss job searches with coaches. The newly formed New York team scored its first win of the season against a team composed mostly of bankers.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Talk about it!