The California Symposium on Poverty

Symposiums
2011 | 2010 | 2009

2010 California Symposium on Poverty: Opportunity in Action
October 27 – 28, 2010
Sacramento, CA

Symposium Brochure and Speaker Biographies
Supplemental Materials

Day 1: Wednesday, October 27, 2010

General Session
"Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America"

Author, journalist and advocate, Barbara Ehrenreich has changed the way America looks at poverty. Her landmark book, "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America," published in May 2001, describes her personal journey of exploration as she joined the ranks of the millions of Americans working for poverty-level wages.


General Session
Global Perspective: The International Context of the USA's Anti-Poverty Efforts

This panel discussed new approaches to self-sufficiency, including income subsides and incentives, and looked at Mexico's Oportunidades program and Canada's Self Sufficiency Project.


General Session
Understanding Data & the Supplemental Poverty Measure

In light of the U.S. Census Bureau's work on the Supplemental Poverty Measure and the recent release of the American Community Survey results, David Johnson provided an overview of the supplemental measure, and implications for families and policymakers.


General Session
National Perspective: The National Context of California's Anti-Poverty Efforts

Representatives from Minnesota and Illinois described the similarities and contrasts in their approaches to developing anti-poverty plans, and nationally-known advocates described the overall effort to reduce poverty—at least by one-half—within 10 years.


Day 2: Thursday, October 28, 2010

General Session
Human Perspective: Poverty 101

Donna Beegle, author of "See Poverty, Be the Difference," described generational poverty from the inside, looking out. After growing up in generational migrant labor poverty, leaving school and marrying at 15, having two children, she found herself, at 25, with no husband, little education, and no job skills. What followed in 10 short years were self-confidence and multiple academic degrees.


Mini-Plenary Sessions: Implementing Anti-Poverty Efforts in the Neighborhood
Opportunity Conferences

Developed by Donna Beegle, the Opportunity Conference provides participants with the tools to overcome the shame, blame, and isolation of life in poverty. The curriculum provides hope, skills and connections to navigators who assist families in completing their own journey out of poverty.


Bridges Out of Poverty

Kathy Estes has worked with communities throughout California to utilize "Bridges Out of Poverty," an innovative approach to working with families that begins with understanding their circumstances and world view.

    • Kathy Estes, Coordinator for Safe & Drug Free Schools & Communities and Tobacco Use Prevention Education, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

Circles

'Circles' is an approach founded on "Bridges out of Poverty," and partners volunteers and community leaders with families in need. Representatives from Merced County discussed the program's implementation and successes.

    • Crystal Andersen, Foundation for Improved Living Merced
    • Elizabeth (Liz) Feitas, Foundation for Improved Living Merced
    • Nicole Pollack, Deputy Director, Merced County Human Services Agency

Mini-Plenary Sessions: Specialized Populations
Homeless America: Changing Faces and New Approaches

This panel described the current state of homeless services, and the innovative approaches that have proven successful in reaching out and helping homeless individuals, families and youth, who each have varying needs and face different challenges.


Gray America: Linking Seniors and Services

By standard measurements of poverty, much of California's senior population seems to enjoy financial security. But standard measurements do not tell the real story. This panel described the circumstances and challenges faced by the fastest growing demographic group in America.


Immigrants in Need

Sometimes fearful of seeking help, new immigrant residents often find themselves isolated and without necessary services. This panel described the proven approaches to conduct outreach and to establish connections between the newest members of our community.


America in Waiting: Beyond Program Administration - Subsidized Employment as a Case Study

Federal stimulus-funded subsidized employment exemplifies the opportunities and constraints that confront counties as they move beyond the administration of mandated programs. This panel looked at the case study to explore how counties and communities can do more to fight poverty.