DELTA—Poverty is no stranger to many towns and cities in Colorado, including Delta and Montrose.
Alarming statistics and persisting problems have prompted nine non-profit organizations, different in name but with a similar goal, to find ways to help those who struggle financially.
The Paycheck Away Project, a statewide initiative aimed at battling poverty, which almost always leads to homelessness, hunger and lack of proper health care, jump-started its first meeting in Delta Thursday evening.
Community leaders, area residents, and organizers from as far as Denver gathered at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center to voice their concerns regarding the issues, and discuss possible strategies to sway public policy.
Starlene Collins, Manager of the Food Bank of the Rockies, explained that hunger is a much larger issue on the Western Slope than most people think.
“Currently, there are 40,000 people living in poverty in Northwestern Colorado,” Collins said. “Approximately 9,000 of them are children, and almost 5,000 of them are seniors.”
She explained that rising gas prices, high living costs, increasing food prices, and sometimes bad choices are reasons that would force people to seek help from the food bank.
“You still need to help everyone, regardless of what their situation is,” Collins said, noting that many people are reluctant to seek help from a food bank because it can be humbling for an individual.
Poverty and lack of proper health care almost always go hand in hand, and Dr. Meg Tomcho, a pediatrician in Montrose, spoke about the programs available to children who do not have insurance.
“Children who are uninsured are seven times more likely to have delayed medical care,” Tomcho said, adding that the absence of medical, dental, and important immunizations will lead to bigger, possibly more expensive health ailments in the long-run.
Tomcho also urged area residents to contact state officials regarding health care concerns, and persuade the state to provide more help to individuals.
Large electric bills are also major problems for low-income families. Robin Henn from Delta-Montrose Electric Association, said that there are many opportunities for people to get help with hefty bills.
DMEA provides a payment program where customers can make their bills consistent each month.
“Instead of paying $50 dollars in the summer and $100 dollars in the winter, you can pay $75 dollars year round,” Henn said.
DMEA will also send a representative to a customers home to make sure their house is efficiently using electric, and not wasting it.
Something as simple as an energy saving light-bulb, or properly insulating your home can decrease a monthly electric bill.
Organizers stressed that there are numerous solutions for people to take advantage of, and they need to be aware of this.
“This year, we’re really trying to learn as much as possible from family and folks who are struggling with these issues so we can arrive at a community driven decision to make changes,” Scott Downes said.
Downes is the Communication Director of the Colorado Center on Law and Policy in Denver. He did not attend Thursday’s meeting, but played a role in organizing the initiative.
“It’s not just a matter of talking about the issues, but finding a way to fix them and the many challenges that Colorado families face,” he said.
The Paycheck Away Project will hold subsequent meetings in Durango, Fort Collins, Lamar and LaJunta, Parker and Thornton.
Non-profit and advocacy groups sponsoring the state-wide initiative are the Colorado Anti-Hunger Network; Colorado Consumer Health Initiative; Colorado Coalition for the Homeless; Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute; Energy Outreach Colorado; Lutheran Advocacy Ministry; 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women; Colorado Progressive Coalition; and Mile High United Way.
“People need to be made aware of the resources that are available to help them,” Collins said. “If they know there is help out there, that may take away some of their hopelessness.”
Contact Marissa Brunner via e-mail at marissab@montrosepress.com |
