Circles Initiative squares off against poverty

SANDPOINT — When it comes to helping residents lift themselves out of generational poverty, Idaho has a long way to go, according to local nonprofit workers.

The state ranks dead last when it comes to helping residents escape poverty, Bonner County Circles Initiative public liaison Shirley Paulison said, and that’s a problem that affects everyone.

Fortunately, there are ways for Idaho to move forward. These potential solutions will be the focus of an upcoming meeting between nonprofit workers, community members and public officials like state Rep. George Eskridge, state Sen. Shawn Keough and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare North Idaho director Joyce Broadsword.

One major subject under discussion will be the “cliff effect,” Paulison said. A phenomenon prevalent in several states including Idaho, the cliff effect occurs when a family receives a slight bump in income — perhaps amounting to an extra dollar an hour — that nevertheless precludes them from receiving several hundred dollars a month in food stamps and other benefits.

It’s a problem that can cause some tricky situations, according to Paulison. On the one hand, the goal of Circles is to help residents acquire the skills and resources they need to end generational poverty. That typically happens through achieving the experience or education required to support a family without the need for government assistance. On the other hand, removing monthly benefits without sufficient personal income to replace it can be a huge setback in achieving that goal, Paulison said.

Paulison said she also hopes to break down some of the myths that can be harmful or distracting from the real issues of poverty.

For example, some people feel annoyed or angry when an individual uses an EBT card to pay for groceries that include frivolous items like snacks or beer. However, government benefits aren’t being used to pay for those items, Paulison said. EBT cards only pay for items approved by the program in a grocery bill. Non-essential items, on the other hand, must be paid for out-of-pocket.

Another destructive myth is the idea that parents on welfare can live comfortably through government assistance alone. In reality, a single mother of four only receives $309 a month in benefits.

“That’s a stereotype that we still encounter regularly when we talk,” Paulison said.

While they may seem like small details, Paulison says these myths only make the real goal of helping families out of poverty more difficult to achieve. Building a healthier society isn’t possible until individuals embrace the reality of the situation, she said.

“We need to have everyone at the table or nothing is going to happen,” she added.       

These issues and more will be discussed at an upcoming dinner set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sandpoint United Methodist Church. Anyone is welcome to attend the dinner and meeting, which is free of charge. Those wishing to attend should notify Paulison with a head count by emailing her at s.paulison@cap4action.org or calling her at 946-7780 or 255-2910. The meeting will also include free childcare.