Poverty, the Loss of Jobs and Schools

Yesterday's blog concerning news of the heightening level of poverty in Syracuse (as well as Rochester and Buffalo, NY) came as shocking and disheartening at once. The level of poverty in the area so near to where I grew up is staggering among African Americans and Hispanics. No doubt, I'm sure the level of poverty has grown among the White population of the city in various neighborhoods. That fact should not be ignored.

Looking for a reason for the worsening poverty rate in the 'Salt City?" There are many causes but there is little doubt that closing the Carrier air conditioning plant in October of 2003 was a real blow to the city. More importantly it left skilled workers with the prospects of finding lower paying jobs should they even be able to find one.

Whether it is losing a Kodak plant in Rochester, a Firestone plant in Decatur, IL or the Carrier plant in Syracuse, income levels will shrink. Unemployment is sure to take place and people will have less disposable income. All of this, and more, is a recipe for the spread of poverty. In turn, lower levels of disposable income will mean that families have less money to spend on such important concerns as education.

It is a vicious and sad cycle but it is the reality of what is taking place in far too many urban areas of America.

Who loses? It's not just the children in school who are harmed. Families lose out and the community at-large is hurt.

We are looking forward to helping some of the Syracuse school students in the fall of 2016. They deserver the assistance.

Thanks,
Dick