Nov. 13, 2008
DETROIT - Almost 5,000 people attending the 2008 Voices for Action Poverty Summit on Thursday committed to invest in solutions and programs that increase economic opportunities and reduce poverty in the state.
"Fighting poverty and helping families who are facing economic crisis is critical to improve Michigan's economy," Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm told summit participants. "Together, we can ensure that, as Michigan's economy recovers, our citizens are not left behind."
About 37 million Americans live in poverty, including 13 million children. In Michigan, one out of five people lives in or near poverty, including 500,000 children.
That's why the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Governor's Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Community Action Agency Association cosponsored the summit, DHS Director Ismael Ahmed said.
"This isn't just a one-day event, but kickoff of a statewide initiative to reduce poverty and maximize opportunities in Michigan," Ahmed said. "We are working on creating new economic opportunity that is the only long-term answer to poverty."
Participants viewed best practice presentations, broke into regional sessions, and prioritized actions they will continue to work on in the coming months with others in their region. They left armed with practical solutions they can implement back home.
"I applaud the successful work you are doing to help clothe, house, feed and employ Michigan's citizens," said civil rights activist Martin Luther King III, who was the event's keynote speaker.
The work done at the summit is in tune with Gov. Granholm's 2008 State of the State priorities of a job for every worker, a quality education for every child, training for every citizen, health care for every family and safe places to live and work for all of us.
Said Sonia Harb, the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity chair: "We're all aware that no single agency, commission or organization as the ability to reduce poverty and increase economic opportunities in our state. We can only be successful in that effort if we partner with others, including those who are living in poverty, to combine resources and share strategies."
To find out more about poverty reduction efforts in your region, visit www.michigan.gov/poverty.
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