For me, one of the best parts about working in the social services field is that when times are tough, area community providers rally together to help Hamilton County citizens.
Last week, I joined individuals from 60 area social service providers, plus private citizens and representatives from charitable organizations, to discuss recommendations to send to Gov. Strickland for his anti-poverty task force. The governor asked the task force to develop a short-term and long-term vision that addresses the growing problem of poverty in Ohio; the task force wanted recommendations from 22 Ohio communities, including Hamilton County.
A lot of information was shared during the meeting, but the main topics were jobs and education. The group recommended the creation of meaningful jobs and improvements in job training and education in order to overcome poverty in Ohio.
The economic situation in Hamilton County and Ohio has been difficult for everyone, but I am hopeful that with so many key players stepping up, the task force will be able to develop and execute a plan that reduces the amount of Ohioans living at or below the poverty level.
You – the citizens of Hamilton County – are my biggest concern. I want you to be successful in the job field of your choice. I want you to receive the training necessary to be able to choose the right job for you. I want your children to have access to an excellent education so they can grow up and be whatever they want to be.
The state’s anti-poverty task force is a good step in the right direction, but you can help us, too. If you have ideas of how the agency and area community providers can help fight poverty and work towards the goal of self-sufficiency for clients, please send me a comment below.
