More than 50 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson declared an “all-out war on human poverty.”
This proclamation set the stage for social programs enacted in the mid 1960s dubbed the “War on Poverty”.
In 1966, nearly 30 percent of Americans over the age of 65 were below the poverty level. Since that time, the overall poverty rate for Americans has declined slightly, but not far enough. The following statistics show we have work to do in order to wipe out poverty in the United States:
• 46.5 million Americans, or one out of every six Americans, live in poverty –– the largest number in the past 54 years since poverty estimates have been published.
• 10 million senior citizens in America have incomes less than $10,800, while fewer than 2 million have income above $85,150.
• Higher poverty rate: The 2012 poverty rate was 2.5 percentage points higher than in 2007, the year before the 2008 recession.
• 150,000 residents in Duval County live in poverty –– half of these less fortunate residents are over the age of 65. (Florida Department of Health Duval County Public Health Statistics, Assessment and Research.)
• 43 percent of children in the urban core in Duval County live in poverty. (Florida Department of Health Duval County Public Health Statistics, Assessment and Research.)
Help for the hungry
Please join members of The Jacksonville Bar Association to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate this holiday season by helping to raise money for the Clara White Mission.
As mentioned by Bar Association President Troy K. Smith in the Daily Record several weeks ago, there will be a Giving Thanks Member Luncheon at the Jacksonville Main Library on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The activities of the Clara White Mission fall into six main categories: feeding program, educational programs, housing program, Clara at the Cathedral, Ashley Street Catering and White Harvest Farms.
In past years, the mission has fed breakfast to those living in poverty every day of the year. However, the reach of the mission is in jeopardy next year because it did not receive its public service grant from the city.
The Bar seeks sponsors for the Giving Thanks event. All donations will go to the mission. If you are interested in sponsoring the luncheon, please send checks payable to the Clara White Mission to The Jacksonville Bar Association, or contact the JBA for more details.
Help for the elderly
As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season, please help our senior citizens by participating in the Bar Holiday Project.
Currently, there are approximately 300 senior citizens to sponsor this year. Members and friends of the Bar association will sponsor senior citizens in Duval County who would not otherwise have a holiday celebration.
As a sponsor, you will receive an information packet this month containing all necessary directions and forms. Sponsors will be provided a wish list from a local senior.
After purchasing the gift, volunteers deliver the gifts to seniors directly.
We have partnered with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to help deliver gifts to senior citizens again this year for those who are not able. Gifts can be delivered to the JBA office from Monday, Dec. 8, to Friday, Dec. 12.
If you or your firm can sponsor one or more senior citizens, please contact Cynthia Trimmer at [email protected].
Help for the children
The Bar Association sends a special thanks to the Young Lawyers Section for coordinating yet another incredible charity
event.
The Young Lawyers Section organized and held a golf tournament several weeks ago to benefit Sanctuary on 8th Street. The Tee It Up for Charity Golf Tournament was Oct. 22 at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.
Sanctuary on 8th Street has been serving inner-city children in Jacksonville since 1992.
Today, Sanctuary on 8th Street serves more than 100 children in after-school, summer camp and home-school programs. The mission for Sanctuary on 8th Street is to encourage and empower Jacksonville children in need by ministering to their mind, body, and spirit.
With the help of very generous sponsors and participants, the Young Lawyers Section raised approximately $13,000 for Sanctuary on 8th Street.