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10 Top News Stories from Cities Reducing Poverty in 2019

Posted by Natasha Pei on December 14, 2019

In 2019, the Cities Reducing Poverty network grew to 80 cities and communities across Canada and the USA, all committed to local poverty reduction efforts. Even more heartening is to see that this expanding movement is having an impact – we are seeing population-level changes in poverty rates and food security at national, regional and local levels. Coupled with several positive policy announcements, these trends indicate that despite the stubborn nature of poverty, we are moving in the right direction.

Enjoy the top 10 news stories and popular learning resources from 2019.

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How Much Time Does it Take?

Posted by Natasha Pei on October 15, 2019

How much time does it take to create a poverty reduction strategy? There is no good answer to this question. However, one of the most common drawbacks we hear from Cities Reducing Poverty members is the unexpected amount of time it takes to create and launch a strategy.  

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The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: What Can You Do?

Posted by Natasha Pei on September 9, 2019

Each year, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty falls on the 17th of October. Declared by the United Nations in 1992, this date provides a shared moment each year – across the country and around the world – to:

  1. Commemorate victims of poverty, violence and hunger
  2. Reaffirm that poverty is a violation of human rights
  3. Re-commit to coming together to ensure the right to live free from poverty is respected
  4. Acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty
  5. Celebrate the willingness of people living in poverty to fight poverty and contribute their expertise to ending it
  6. Promote concrete activities around the eradication of poverty
  7. Organize activities for the observance of October 17th.

Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Poverty

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The Four Phases of Successful Poverty Reduction

Posted by Natasha Pei on July 10, 2019

As a national network, Cities Reducing Poverty (CRP) now supports more than 70 cities and communities, representing over 250 municipalities, to reduce poverty locally. 

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Lessons from PEI's Poverty Reduction Plan

Posted by Natasha Pei on April 11, 2019
The Government of Prince Edward Island launched a poverty reduction action plan for all Islanders last November. The action plan makes important commitments such as:
  • Developing a Poverty Reduction Act and identifying responsible parties
  • Monitoring key indicators such as the number of Islanders experiencing poverty and attachment to employment to measure progress
  • Convening a poverty reduction council comprised of community and government leaders
  • Large increases to social assistance rates
  • A new 211 help line for individuals and practitioners to find available services
  • And more
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Identifying Everyone’s Stake: Cause & Effect Exercises

Posted by Natasha Pei on March 19, 2019

Last month, Cities Reducing Poverty members were introduced to facilitating Cause and Effect exercises by Gary Vipond, CEO of United Way Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District. This blog provides an overview on what we learned as prospective facilitators.

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