Colorado Elders Need Your Support

Please sign the petition and pass on to others. According to the recently released Colorado Elder Index many seniors who worked their entire lives (whose incomes are comprised of Social Security, pensions and interest from any savings) are unable to achieve economic security.

How then can we discuss cutting the fixed income of social security?


To sign petition click HERE!

The Road to Shared Prosperity Story Map

The Coalition on Human Needs and Half in Ten release the Road to Shared Prosperity story map

The Half in Ten campaign and the Coalition on Human Needs are pleased to announce the release of the Road to Shared Prosperity, an interactive map displaying a collection of personal stories about programs building the American Dream.

Designed to be a rich resource for the public, all stories contained in the map are paired with data on a state’s social and economic situation to show that this is about more than one person’s struggle or one family’s encounter with the safety net, but rather systemic issues that federal programs are successfully addressing.

Half in Ten and the Coalition on Human Needs are seeking additional stories to add to the map, which will be updated regularly. We welcome short video clips and written stories from service providers, beneficiaries, community leaders, business owners, and others who can speak to the value of federal programs that build prosperity and increase opportunity for all Americans. If you’d like to add your story to the Road to Shared Prosperity, click here.

STILL WE RISE

The Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force begins its 2011 interim session much as the 12% of Coloradans living in poverty begin their summers. Although the Task Force was restored to its legislative status, it received no funding required to move forward and is required to "bootstrap" its way into legitimacy. The playing field for interim committees include funding for staff support from legislative council and travel reimbursement for participating legislators. This Task Force, reflective of the communities it is meant to represent, will not have access to those resources without another funding source. The playing field for the Task Force is not level, although resources are available.

STILL WE RISE: The Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force hosted a "meet and greet" with the Women's Family Action Network. The topic of the day was the "Colorado Cliff Effect" and many attendees were pleased with the discussion outcome. Look for other Task Force events throughout the summer and if you want to support the efforts of the group, contact Representative John Kefalas.

Budget Deficits and their Impact on Families

Conversations about saving money by cutting services rarely include impact statements regarding individuals, families and communities. The following article is the first of many we will include from all over the country. What does it look like from your community's perspective?
*********************************************************************************
The Women of Color Policy Network has issued a policy brief, Analysis of FY 2012 Budget and Deficit Reduction Proposals, analyzing each budget for their impact on women of color, their families and communities. At a time when unemployment rates remain close to double digits, the Network stresses that the focus must be on building a stronger future for all with investments in infrastructure, people and communities.