About Us
What is the Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination?
The newly-formed Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination is a community initiative composed of concerned and affected residents, organizations, business, all levels of government, the research community and others working together move poverty reduction issues forward.
The task force formed out of the February 12, 2009, Poverty Symposium, hosted by the United Way Social Planning Department. Over 100 people met to discuss and learn more about poverty in Guelph and Wellington. Key recommendations from the symposium included developing a cohesive poverty elimination strategy based on the examples of other Ontario cities, identifying “local champions” and community education.
Why do we need a Poverty Elimination Task Force?
In our community:
1 in 10 children is living below the poverty lineOntario Works cases increased over 13% in 2008over 1,600 people visited a shelter in 2008 food bank usage has increased by over 28% in the last four yearsService providers are reporting that they are seeing an increase in families and individuals using their services. The cost of basics like housing and food is increasing, as is the number of individuals in need of Ontario Works and Employment Insurance (data provided by United Way Social Planning, 2009).
We need to reduce the numbers of people living in poverty. We need to plan how to better support individuals and families. We need a new approach to eliminating poverty in Guelph and Wellington County, one that includes all voices in the community.
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