Poverty is a significant issue in Canada that perforates many facets of our lives including health outcomes, education and crime rates.
People who live below the poverty line are less likely to pursue higher education and more likely to drop out of high school. They are also more likely to be convicted of a criminal offence.
One study even found that people living in lower income neighborhoods in Canada have a life expectancy of less than 20 years that of those living in higher income areas.
In Peterborough, recent studies seem to suggest that poverty is increasing, and it’s clear that something needs to be done. But how can we, as students, work to change this?
As students, we have a unique position in the community. Whether we plan to be in Peterborough for four years or 20, we have the chance to make a real difference in the community we are living in, even if just for a short time.
Most students have the time to devote a couple hours a week to causes such as these, and even our sheer number makes us a force to contend with in events such as elections and rallies.
Our varied degrees and interests also give us a multitude of ways to get involved. As nursing students we can spearhead community health initiatives, or as education majors we can work with at-risk children.
A group of students thinking along these lines recently founded Anti-Poverty Activism, an OPIRG working group that aims to educate students about poverty and also support anti-poverty initiatives in the community.
The group’s current project is a panel featuring local activists and experts talking about Why Poverty Matters, how change is happening here in Peterborough and how we can get involved.
The panel will feature Diane Therrien, a newly elected city councilor in the downtown area to fight poverty here in Peterborough.
As well, Paul Brown, who works with both the United Way and the Workers Action Centre, and Professor Gillian Balfour, a sociology professor here at Trent University will also be speaking.
Interested in learning more? Check out the Why Poverty Matters panel event occurring Wednesday November 19 from 7–9pm In Gzowski room 103. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information about the event or Anti-Poverty activism e-mail: opirglistings@gmail.com.