SWASTIKA/KIRKLAND LAKE – Poverty is currently a growing concern in our area.
Erin Cowan of the Timiskaming Health Unit said 43 percent of Timiskaming’s population makes less than $20,000.
In addition, Cowan said 22.6 percent of children and youth (under the age 18 years) live in low income.
“That is 1,430 children and youth,” Cowan said. “For Ontario it is 17.3 percent.”
Cowan said 17.1 percent of Timiskaming residents aged 18 to 64 years live in low income.
“That is 3,475 people,” Cowan said. “For Ontario it is 13.9 percent.”
Cowan who is part of the Kirkland Lake Temiskaming Chapter of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario hosted an interactive poverty simulation entitled ‘Hungry for Action: From poverty to prosperity’ on Tuesday at Riverside Church in Swastika, giving the participants an insight on the experience of poverty in our community.
The event included engaging speakers, lunch, and an action-oriented discussion on increasing prosperity in our community.
Cowan said participants came away from the awareness event with three key benefits.
The first benefit, Cowan said people will came away with is an understanding of the constraints and challenges that come with a limited income and the challenges to accessing available services.
“Rarely is it as simple as asking for help and receiving it,” Cowan said.
The second benefit the participants and service providers came away with was they were able to learn about available services.
“Many small organizations and charitable programs are working in isolation and are missing out on the benefits of partnering,” Cowan said.
Cowan said they had the opportunity to network with community stakeholders, politicians, and service organizations.
The final benefit of the awareness event was the opportunity to share ideas on ways to look forward in increasing prosperity in our district.
“Poverty is a complex issue,” Cowan said. “It requires intersectoral collaboration.”
The day also included a simulation, where individuals are placed in a family scenario and must access booths and social services in order to balance their budget.
While the afternoon session included speakers and small group discussions regarding poverty reduction strategies and what we would like to see in our district.
