We know that in order to eliminate generational poverty, we must create an interconnected system that provides supports for all factors impacting those living in poverty. Through partnerships and countywide collaboration, CAP joins the Coalition to Combat Poverty in its commitment to cutting poverty in half in the City of Lancaster by 2032.
In the summer of 2015 Franklin and Marshall College Floyd Institute for Public Policy published the report “Lancaster Prospers? An Analysis of Census Data on Economic Opportunities and Outcomes”. The report pointed out that while incomes were rising in the rapidly developing downtown, incomes had decreased in the surrounding census tracts. This report prompted former Mayor Rick Gray to form the Commission to Combat Poverty. Chaired by CAP CEO Dan Jurman, the Commission was made up of 12 commissioners and 48 workgroup members who researched the factors contributing to the city’s high poverty rates, best-practices, and provided recommendations, with the guidance of residents living in poverty, to address these systemic challenges.
After 14 months of research and community meetings, the One Good Job strategic plan was published and outlined recommendations to address the following key areas:
- Community
- Education
- Workforce
- Housing
Measurable goals were created, with benchmarks years 1, 5, 10 and 15, around the following seven indicators:
- Living Wage Employment
- Pre-K Access
- Post-Secondary Completion
- Affordable Rentals
- New Homeowners
- Block Captains
- New Neighborhood Groups
In order to ensure these recommendations and goals were actionable, the community-based Coalition to Combat Poverty was formed. The Coalition, chaired by Jen Koppel (Director of the Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness) is made up of eight action teams populated by community leaders, advocates, and professionals in their respective fields.
The Coalition’s goals guide much of CAP’s work in eliminating poverty.
Read One Good Job and access the Year 1 annual report at http://combatpovertylancaster.org/