Poverty is Not Always What it Seems--Part Two

Disclaimer: I am not an expert. In anything. Well, except in making baklava. Other than that, I do not claim to be expert on anything. However, I can give you a quick "snap shot" of how I feel on certain subjects. If you want the full explanation of everything I believe about a subject, take me out for coffee. I'll even let you pay.

Warning: You are allowed to disagree with me. However, I respect myself too much to allow you to be a jerk face to me or other people. So, jerk faced comments will be deleted.

I would like to suggest an article that gives an overview of poverty in America over the last 50 years. I especially like this bit about how the Great Recession changed what "poor" looks like:

In the space of only a few months, millions of people entered the ranks of the officially poor—not only laid-off blue-collar workers, but also downsized tech workers, managers, lawyers, and other once-comfortable professionals. No one could accuse these “nouveau poor” Americans of having made bad choices or bad lifestyle decisions. They were educated, hardworking, and ambitious, and now they were also poor—applying for food stamps, showing up in shelters, lining up for entry-level jobs in retail.

To me, poverty means people. Like some of these people:

•  A single mom was laid off from her job (white collar, not blue collar position) and used food stamps until she could get back on her feet. Did I mention she was raised upper middle class, is active in her faith community, does foster care and has adopted children? You'd never look at her and think, "poor." You'd think "compassionate professional."
• A man works his butt off to support his wife and four children. His career path took a major turn in a different direction when he got married. He works at a major home improvement store chain where he is allowed to work just 40 hours a week for a decent wage that still never seems to be enough to get ahead. He is fortunate enough to have medical insurance and prescription drug coverage. However, his family can’t afford the vision and dental plans offered by his employer. Did I mention he went to a major Christian university for pastoral studies and missions? You'd never look at him and think, "poor." You'd think "hard-working provider."
• Another couple has been struggling to get out of debt for years. She and her husband (both raised upper middle class and came from "good Christian homes") have faced eviction, repossession of their car and ultimately, bankruptcy. They used Government funded nutritional programs while he was working toward his career. Did I mention the source of their debt? The life saving surgeries their baby had to have because of a brain deformity. You'd never look at them and think, "poor." You'd think "parents of a special needs child."
• Another woman grew up in poverty. She has struggled for years to make ends meet while learning how abusive, good-for-nothing men can love you and leave you...with two young children. She works at a fast food restaurant and is going to college. She used her food stamps this summer to purchase plants. These plants grew all summer and fall and supplied her family with vegetables that they worked to grow themselves. You might look at her work uniform and think, "poor." I look at her and I think, "Hard-working mom with crazy children."
• Another woman was raised middle class without a college fund. Student loans and a full time, minimum wage job helped her through two years of community college and then three years at a major university. But that money mostly put gas in her car and a roof over her head. She wasn't one to party or buy expensive electronics. She also didn't spend much on clothing. She used food stamps while in college. Some of her family members shamed her because they raised a family without the help of the government. You'd never look at her apperance and listen to her vocabulary and think "poor." You'd think "diligent student with potential."

One more story....

Yet another woman was in full time ministry and going to college just before the Great Recession. Thanks to her job and her choices regarding living accommodations, she was able to pay for college out-of-pocket. When the Great Recession hit America, those affected weren't giving charitably to ministries. She lost her job. She had commitments such as a car payment and paying for college out-of-pocket based on her salary. That salary was gone. She moved back in with her parents to make ends meet. She probably qualified for food stamps but didn't apply.

She lost the motivation to finish her ministry-related degree (just a few credit short) since she wasn't able to work in ministry. She met an amazing man. They paid for most of their own wedding. But this caused her to miss car payments and her car was repossessed. She and her husband moved out of state for a job opportunity her husband discovered. They used their wedding gift money to pay for their bills for the first two months they were married until they started work. Her husband worked part time for an electrician until he found a job. They were able to live rent free for six months in a back room in the electricians warehouse/shop. It was one bedroom, one living area with kitchen and a bathroom. Nothing worked and it was cold and miserable and filthy. They had no TV or internet for several months. 

They eventually were able to move into an apartment and get internet. She got pregnant and did not have insurance. She received WIC benefits and was on Medicaid. They moved back to her home state and moved in with her parents just before the baby was born. The baby was on Medicaid until her husband was able to get a job with benefits. He worked 3rd shift for minimum wage as a "temporary employee" for over a year before he was able to bid on a position.

You wouldn't look at this woman and think "poor." You'd think..."That's Jaimie."