poverty action for change coalition

First Ever York Region (Ontario, Canada) Social Audit Report Released

September 23rd, 2010CommunityComment

ISARC The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition 2010 Social Audit

Behind The Masks...testimonials from those marginalized by income

For Immediate Release – Thursday September 23, 2010

Re: The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) – Social Audit – York Region Report Release

Contact for interviews: 289-221-0928

Date: September 23, 2010 Media contact: 289-221-0928

First Ever York Region Social Audit Report Released

“Behind The Masks”

….testimonials from those marginalized by income

“When anyone is hungry while others have too much to eat, when anyone has no shelter while others live in luxury, or when anyone lives in poverty while others enjoy affluence, justice is not present. Where justice is not present, the quality of all of our lives and communities disappears. ISARC believes that justice is the mutual responsibility of individuals, communities, and government, working together for a better future.”

The above quote is repeated in the Introduction section of the newly released 80 page social audit report on York Region, which is entitled – Behind The Masks – testimonials from those marginalized by income as per ISARC’s previously published 2007 province-wide report.

ISARC has been conducting social audits across Ontario since 1986. ISARC – The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition – is a provincial wide network of faith groups working together for greater social justice. ISARC meets and works with leaders from all political parties to develop and support legislation to provide help to those most in need via province-wide hearings, consultations and briefings, presentations to legislative committees, and through publications and resources that give a voice to those in poverty.

REPORT RELEASE: York Region’s recent participation – for the first time ever – has resulted in the release of this report - Behind The Masks ….testimonials from those marginalized by income – made possible through the lobbying efforts of the Poverty Action for Change Coalition with the support and participation of others. As the host group, the key was to form a collaborative planning team from organizations and individuals across York Region; co-conveners Tom Pearson (Poverty Action for Change Coalition, PACC) and Yvonne Kelly (York Region Food Network, YRFN) then worked to achieve this; putting together a diverse collaborative planning team and players, including front-line workers, church members, anti-poverty advocates, concerned residents, and included representation from those with lived experience – which laid the foundation for a successful social audit. York Region’s version included recording video statements, which were edited into a documentary-style format, and was also very well received.

Tags: behind the masks testimonials from those marginalized by income, Charles Beer, daisy wai, Danieli Zanotti, interfaith social assistance reform coalition, isarc social audit york region report, john rogers, poverty action for change coalition, tom pearson, york region food network, yvonne kelly

“Stand Up” Against Poverty Events Will Occur Across the Globe on September 17th-19th, 2010

September 14th, 2010CommunityComment

Immediate Release - September 14, 2010

CITIZENS’ VOICES AGAINST POVERTY WILL CRESCENDO IN NOISES HEARD AROUND THE WORLD AS HEADS OF STATE TRAVEL TO UN SUMMIT:

Local Groups Host “Stand Up” Events Whereby Citizens Will Make their Expectations – that Governments Achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – Too Loud to Ignore at “Stand Up” Events Across the Globe on September 17th-19th.

On September 17th -19th, people across the globe will turn up the volume on their call for heads of state gathering at the United Nations on September 20th-22nd to demonstrate leadership in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Citizens will gather at events (see local listing below) across continents to amplify their support for the eight Millennium Development Goals - a set of targets to eradicate extreme poverty and its root causes by 2015 that marks its tenth anniversary this week. They will be singing, chanting, blowing whistles, playing drums, blowing vuvuzelas, banging pots and pans and setting off alarm clocks. The sounds of these noises emanating from villages, towns and cities around the world as part of the three day mobilization “Stand Up, Take Action, Make Noise for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)” will make citizens’ commitments to track and support their countries’ achievement of the Millennium Development Goals visible, vocal and impossible to ignore.

Tags: global call to action against poverty, make poverty history york region, millennium development goals, pacc, pledging online, poverty action for change coalition, september 17 - 19, sphinx stands against poverty, stand up against poverty, un millennium campaign

Tom Pearson Talked With The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP About Canadian Poverty

September 6th, 2010CommunityComment

On August 18th, 2010, Tom Pearson (Chairman of Poverty Action for Change Coalition, and Make Poverty History York Region) met with the Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, on behalf of Campaign 2000. The objective of Campaign 2000 is to “End Child and Family Poverty in Canada”, according to the following Campaign 2000 Declaration:

“We are committed to promoting and securing the full implementation of the House of Commons Resolution of November 24, 1989.” Commitment by National and Community Partners Campaign 2000, November 24, 1991.

Here is Tom Pearson’s recount of his meeting with The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP from Richmond Hill:

Tags: campaign 2000, canadian poverty, child and family poverty, disabilities, house of commons resolutiuon of november 24 1989, low-income seniors housing, make poverty history york region, pan-canadian conference on poverty, poverty action for change coalition, the honourable bryon wilfert mp

Official Stand-Up Count for International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

August 21st, 2010CommunityComment

As a prelude to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17, 2010) , the official stand-up-against-poverty count is slated for September 17th – 19th, 2010, to coincide with the United Nations meeting in order to put pressure on world leaders to attend to poverty. Since the world leaders will meet on September 20th – 22nd, the following event will happen on September 17th – 19th:

When world leaders gather at the United Nations for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Review Summit in September, the voices of their citizens will follow them, telling them, loudly and clearly:
“We will no longer stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and the broken promises to end it!’

Poverty Action for Change Coalition (PACC) agreed that they would have a stand-up-against-poverty event on location at Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, on September 17th at 7PM . They can also have a short meeting at the same time for anyone wishing to help organize this event.

Tags: Fairy Lake Park, international day for eradification of poverty, october 17, official stand up count, operation sparrow spotlight theatre school, pacc, pacc to school, pledging online, poverty action for change coalition, stand up against poverty, united nations

York Region’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: October 17, 2010

July 25th, 2010CommunityComment

Both Poverty Action for Change Coalition (P.A.C.C.) and Make Poverty History (York Region Chapter, Ontario, Canada) have been hosting an annual event alongside events held world-wide on October 17th, which is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, for the past five years – last year, those attending helped set a new world record for those standing at one time against poverty. They hope to do even better on October 17, 2010 at Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, Ontario!

Participants are wanted as York Region’s growing event of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty would like to grow even more this year by adding information booths, activity area for kids, path-side singers/performers and the inclusion of some native cultural history representation. They also hope to have more talent/art/media displayed this year as well. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event also typically attracts politicians, concerned residents, anti-poverty advocates, those living in poverty and random passersby!

Tags: annual event, anti-poverty advocates, Fairy Lake Park, international day for eradification of poverty, low incomers, make poverty history, newmarket ontario, october 17, poverty action for change coalition, york region ontario canada

“Glean On Me…When You’re Not Strong”: Free Fresh Food At A Farm

July 6th, 2010Community, Frugal CrowdComment

photo credit: looseends

Poverty Action for Change Coalition (PACC) announces the “Glean On Me…When You’re Not Strong” program.

” Glean On Me…When You’re Not Strong” kicks of Wednesday, June 7, 2010, for anyone wishing to “Glean” (pick) some fresh strawberries for free. Also, free transportation is provided, but you must supply refreshments. This “Glean On Me” outing will occur at a local strawberry farm.

Tags: free fresh strawberries, glean on me when you're not strong program, poverty action for change coalition