By Riki Bolster
The group has met twice and discussed what we as NPU W neighbors can do about poverty. We agreed to meet again on Monday, August 28 at 7:30 at the Ormewood Neighborhood Church. The church is located at 1071 Delaware Avenue. We are picking through Mathew Desmond’s book Poverty, by America to find some local actions.
Action items so far: Make sure the children living at the two Trestle Tree apartments have access to after-school programs; zoning changes that might create more small housing units; expanding financial services like check cashing and low barrier accounts; making inquiries about BOND Credit Union policies; working toward the regulation of payday lenders.
We heard a report from the EACA Community Responsibility committee on homelessness. Their survey has identified 48 people who are regularly homeless in the neighborhood. They are looking for resources for a dedicated case manager who could make regular contact with these residents. As always, the availability of housing is the key barrier. The committee is meeting at the Brownwood Recreation Center located inside Brownwood Park at 607 Brownwood Avenue.
