DC Poverty
Summit Looks at Solid Ideas and New Trends
Hundreds of local
and national anti-poverty fighters gathered on February 23 to
attend the DC Poverty Summit, a conference sponsored by UPO and
the Veterans of the War on Poverty.
Coming on the heels of the highly
successful and historic 1999 “Veterans of the War on Poverty”
conference, the “Summit” was designed to ascertain specific
needs of the District of Columbia community while gearing-up for
new service delivery in the 21st Century.
Dubbed “Strategies for the New Millennium,” the event
occurred at the spacious Kellogg Conference Center located on
the campus of DC’s Gallaudet University. More than 200 individuals
representing government, education, human service, private industry
as well as concerned citizens attended the day long event.
The Summit brought together experts and stakeholders with a mission
to discuss issues of poverty in the District of Columbia as well
as to formulate a blueprint to alleviate present and future poverty
conditions.
The Introductory session saw UPO, local elected officials, as
well as representatives from the federal government discuss their
perspective on DC area poverty.
DC Council Chairperson Linda Cropp welcomed attendees thanking
UPO for holding the much needed Summit. “We haven’t
seen an end to the war on poverty” she noted, observing an
unusual occurrence in the Washington area whereby people living
in the city often help offset poverty in the suburbs.
Ward 8 Councilperson Sandy Allen who heads the Council’s
Committee on Human Services, welcomed the assemblage observing
that we must all work to create a better quality of life for people
in DC. She thanked UPO for its commitment to the city and for
being “our private partner,” and urged that “our
focus” must never change.
Meanwhile, Don Sykes, head of the U.S. Department of Human Services’
Office of Community Service was on-hand representing the federal
government. Mr. Sykes observed that America is changing. “America
now represents all people in the world,” he said adding “CAAs
(community action agencies) have always done the people’s
work.”
In his welcoming statement, UPO Executive Director Benjamin Jennings
informed audience members how the idea for these conferences came
about, noting that the concept evolved during a luncheon meeting.
“UPO must now think strategically in the 21st century,”
he added.
According to John Adams, the project’s consultant, five panels
focused on primary poverty reduction and spearheading self-sufficiency.
The five panels were: 1. Community Empowerment; 2. Community Economic
Development; 3. Workforce Development; 4. Children, Youth, and
Families; and 5. Anti-Poverty Legislation and Public Policy. The
Conference’s primary goal was to have delegates take back
to their respective neighborhoods quality information that will
allow them to better serve the community.
A formal report entitled “The State of Poverty in the District
of Columbia” was released by the Urban Institute, on behalf
of UPO. The Urban Institute’s Dr. Carol J. Devita discussed
the report’s findings.
Meanwhile, an important element of the Summit was the formal unveiling
of a Wall of Honor, an exhibit that displayed the history and
participants of the War on Poverty in the District of Columbia.
The “Wall” was divided into three sections. First, the
“Founders” section noted those who fought against poverty
from 1964 to 1969. Next a “Pioneers” section looked
at poverty fighters from 1970 to 1982. Then the “Patriots”
section celebrated individuals from 1983 - 1999. The entire “Wall”
included approximately 300, many currently in the poverty fight.
“It’s a War on Poverty honor roll for DC,” noted
John Adams. Benjamin Jennings observed that “many more names
will soon be added to that Wall,” commenting on the many
local individuals who work daily to help reduce poverty levels
in the District of Columbia.
###
Other articles - this issue
1. Celebrating
the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
More that 1000 United Planning Organization
friends and supposters joined together ...
2. DC Poverty Summit Looks
at Solid Ideas and New Trends
Hundreds of local
and national anti-poverty fighters gathered ...
UPO REPORTER
Published by the United
Planning Organization
401 M Street, SW Washington, DC 20024
President: Russell D. Simmons
Executive Director: Benjamin Jennings
Writer/Editor: Harvey N. Johnson III
Click here for main "REPORTER" page
