Numerous reports mention the possible elimination of extreme poverty in the world in the near future. At the same time, reports show that the percentage of people under the poverty level has risen from 18% to 22% in the last several years in the USA.
The recent mayor’s election in New York City focused upon the gap between rich and the rest of the New Yorkers that has been increasing, and some wonder if the middle class in the USA will continue to decline further. The Econonmist ( September 21, 2013; p12 ) noted : “ Americans’ income inequality is growing again. Time to cut subsidies to the rich and invest in the young.” Median household income has dropped from $56,000 in 2007 to under $52,000. Implication? Both conservatives and liberal agree this is the most fundamental political issue in the upcoming elections. Debate will be what to do about it?
“The gap in test scores between rich and poor children is 30-40 wider than it was 25 years ago.” The Economist article suggests a focus on early childhood education and more progressive taxes. With the tax code favoring the middle and upper classes, the Economist favors a flat tax. Details on this proposal would be important to follow carefully.
[Email Transcript] Subject: FWOP Dr. Preston, First off, I want to thank you for the recommendation letter you submitted for me a while back. I just wanted to let you know that I have been granted admission in the the University of Kentucky’s Physician Assistant program, and I have accepted the position. The program starts the first week of January. Therefore, I will not be able to participate in FWOP as president of the UC chapter. I was wondering if there was any way that I could still be involved in FWOP. I know that you had mentioned that it [ Read More ]
BATAVIA, OH (September 5, 2013) – A Future Without Poverty announced Michael “Doc” Preston, Assistant Professor of Biology at UC Clermont College, as the Future Without Poverty’s Breaking the Myth of No Effect 2013 Award recipient. A Future Without Poverty is an international volunteer run non-profit organization founded in 1995 that encourages individuals to make a difference by breaking the cycle of poverty. ….[more]
A Future Without Poverty – Veteran Housing in St Louis: Preventing Homelessness and Promoting Human Development – A private company called Anthem USA, LLC has the following vision: To create new models of sustainable supportive environments for at risk populations by innovation and collaboration with other organizations. It’s mission is to create and integrate veteran-centric housing opportunities with supportive services that assist with the effects of prior deployment and facilitate ……[more]
In 2010 some retirees from many lands who settled on the north side of Lake Chapala had the idea to open a community Center to help the people of Tepehua, one of the poorest barrios in the City of Chapala. The Center is divided into units. Each unit has a leader. Each leader controls the volunteers of that unit. Reports to the Board of Directors are only required from each unit twice a year. Below are the programs and schedule of a typical week that have been developed in the past two years.
Recently a FWOP Board Member visited the Santa Rosa Farm, west of Lake Chapala, south of Guadalajara. This working farm is also an educational site for students from two urban schools (www.SuBire.mx K- 12) and ( www.colegiounionmexico.com k-9 ) to learn about environmental and agriculture issues. As we explained below in another news item, students visit the farm five days a week, often with some parents.
The members of FWOP and I are excited about the opening this Fall of Colegio Union Mexico –CUM ( K to 9 grade, with 10thgraded next fall, 11th grade in Fall of 2014, and 12th grade in Fall of 2015) in Los Molinos in northwest Guadalajara. Some 600 students from working class community now have access high quality education at very reasonable cost, some $80 per month. With a strong focus on environmental and sustainability education they are being prepared for lead Mexico forward. FWOP and the University of North Texas will partner up in building a unique more sustainable [ Read More ]
