Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative Report on Proposed New Initiatives to Reduce Poverty in Saint John Spring, 2000.

Business Community Anti-Poverty Business Community Anti-Poverty InitiativeInitiative

Report on Proposed New Initiatives to Reduce Poverty in Saint John

Spring, 2000

BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE

BackgroundBackground

WHO: 100 BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS

WHERE: GREATER SAINT JOHN WHEN: ESTABLISHED IN 1997

WHY: BILL GALE WHAT: CATALYST TO PROVE POVERTY

SITUATION - BREAK THE CYCLE HOW: 7 WORKING GROUPS + CABINET

OCTOBER 19, 1999 MEETING: WHAT COULD BCAPI DO THAT WOULD BEST EFFECT SIGNIFICANT AND ONGOING REDUCTIONS IN

POVERTY?

BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE

Poverty StudyPoverty StudyTerms of ReferenceTerms of Reference

STATUS, EXISTING SUPPORTS, GAPS, BEST

PRACTICES

FOCUS?

RECOMMENDATIONS

ACTION PLAN

BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE

STUDY FINDINGSSTUDY FINDINGS

POVERTY IN SAINT JOHN

EXISTING SUPPORTS & GAPS

BEST PRACTICES

The City of Saint John has a poverty rate 35% higher than the provincial and national averages and 145% higher than the remainder of Greater Saint John.

19,100 people in the city live in poverty.

The City of Saint John has a poverty rate 35% higher than the provincial and national averages and 145% higher than the remainder of Greater Saint John.

19,100 people in the city live in poverty.

20%19%

20%

27%

11%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Canada NB Greater SJ City of SJ Remainderof Greater

SJ

Geographic Area

% living in poverty1996

5.5M 137,300 24,800

19,100

6,000

Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Canadian Council on Social Development

INCIDENCE OF POVERTYINCIDENCE OF POVERTY

73% of people living in poverty (i.e. 13,900) in the City of Saint John are part of a family.

73% of people living in poverty (i.e. 13,900) in the City of Saint John are part of a family.

73%

27%

Families

Unattached

FAMILY UNITS AND POVERTYFAMILY UNITS AND POVERTY

Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Canadian Council on Social Development

Couples with No Children Under 18

Couples with Children Under 18

Single Parent Families with Children Under 18

All Other Families

Poor

21%

23%43%

13%

Non Poor

51%

34%

5% 10%

FAMILY UNITS AND POVERTY

Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Canadian Council on Social Development

Further, people living in poverty in the City of Saint John are over 8 times more likely to be part of a single parent family compared to people not living in poverty. Further, people living in poverty in the City of Saint John are over 8 times more

likely to be part of a single parent family compared to people not living in poverty.

Gender

88%

12%

WomenMen

Poor

43%

GENDERGENDER

Source: Statistics Canada 1996

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, approximately 88% of them are women.

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, approximately 88% of them are women.

Age of Children

53%

26%

21%

0 - 5 years6 to 11 years12 to 17 years

Poor

43%

AGE OF CHILDREN

Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Human Development Council

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1125 (53%) of them have children aged 5 and under.

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1125 (53%) of them have children aged 5 and under.

Weeks Worked

11%

15%

21%

53%

26-52 Weeks

13-26 Weeks

1-12 Weeks

Didn't Work

Poor

43%

EMPLOYMENT

Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Human Development Council

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1,095 (53%) of them do not work at all. The majority receive Social Assistance. The longer they are on

Social Assistance, the less employable they become due to attitude and learned helplessness.

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1,095 (53%) of them do not work at all. The majority receive Social Assistance. The longer they are on

Social Assistance, the less employable they become due to attitude and learned helplessness.

Education

56%

27%

31%

Less than Secondary CertificateSecondary CertificatePost-Secondary

Poor

43%

EDUCATION

Source: Statistics Canada 1996, Human Development Council

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1130 (56%) of them have not attained a high school certificate. However, this is a lower percentage than that

of the entire poor population in the City of Saint John (64%).

Of the poor single parents in the City of Saint John, 1130 (56%) of them have not attained a high school certificate. However, this is a lower percentage than that

of the entire poor population in the City of Saint John (64%).

Source: NB Department of Education, Policy and Planning Branch

PROVINCIAL DROPOUT RATE BY REASON, 1998PROVINCIAL DROPOUT RATE BY REASON, 1998

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Suspension

Academic Problems

Financial Problems

Personal Problems

Employment

Alternate Education

Registered to Return Later

Grade School Dropout Rates

Personal Problems such as lack of interest, pregnancy, lack of child care and family problems account for 70% of grade school dropouts in New Brunswick.Personal Problems such as lack of interest, pregnancy, lack of child care and family problems account for 70% of grade school dropouts in New Brunswick.

INCIDENCE OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY AMONG NB YOUTH

31%

51%

47%

26%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Grade 9 Grade 11

% o

f Se

xua

lly A

ctiv

e S

tud

ent

s

NB

Canada

The Province of New Brunswick has a higher incidence of sexually active junior high and high school students when compared with the national average.

The Province of New Brunswick has a higher incidence of sexually active junior high and high school students when compared with the national average.

Source: Canada Youth and Aids Study, 1989

The City of Saint John has an incidence of teenage pregnancy significantly higher than that of the province, having declined little in the nineties. 1997 saw 50.6 births per thousand females (5%) in Saint John compared with 31.1 (3%) in the province.

In Saint John, 120 teens become pregnant each year.

The City of Saint John has an incidence of teenage pregnancy significantly higher than that of the province, having declined little in the nineties. 1997 saw 50.6 births per thousand females (5%) in Saint John compared with 31.1 (3%) in the province.

In Saint John, 120 teens become pregnant each year.Source: Vital Statistics, DHC, New Brunswick Statistical Agency (Population Estimates - August 4, 1999)

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Year

Ra

te p

er

tho

usa

nd

fe

ma

les, a

ge

d 1

5-1

9

Saint John New Brunswick

+ Includes females aged 15 - 19

CHALLENGES FACING SINGLE PARENTS

Lack family support

Estimated 20% incidence of alcohol and drug abuse

High probability of having been physically, sexually or mentally abused (by family or partner)

Suicidal tendencies

Very low self-esteem

Lack basic life skills (e.g. hygiene)

THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING FOCUS

A person living in poverty in the City of Saint John is most likely to:

Be a single parent (43% of families living in poverty are headed by a single parent compared to only 5% of families living above the poverty line)

Be female (88% of single parents are women)

Be between 21 and 39 years of age

Have two children under 5 years of age

INVENTORY OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICESINVENTORY OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Meeting Basic NeedsPromoting Economic

DevelopmentBuilding SkillsRemoving Barriers

physical security life skillschild care *

health/mental health self-employmentlanguage trainingwork-related costs*

access to capitalliteracy/numeracyhealth-related costs

technical assistancejob searchdisability-related barriers

academic upgrading/ job training

skills accreditation

access to transportation*

• food• housing; utilities• clothing• clean water; sanitation• protection from violence; abuse

• Health care services• early childhood development• self-esteem; support• counselling; mental health

services• substance abuse services

• Reviewed 47 programs

• Focus of programs:• Basic needs

• Self-esteem/support• Building skills

• Job search• Job creation• Life skills• Academic upgrades

• Most programs provide some support services

• Capacity exists in many programs

Source: Torjman, Sherri, Community Based Poverty Reduction

job creation/retention

* Support services

INVENTORY OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Meeting Basic NeedsPromoting Economic

DevelopmentBuilding SkillsRemoving Barriers

physical security job creation/retentionchild care

health/mental health self-employmentlanguage trainingwork-related costs

access to capitalliteracy/numeracyhealth-related costs

technical assistancejob search

academic upgrading/ job training

skills accreditation

access to transportation

• food• housing; utilities• clothing• clean water; sanitation• protection from violence;

abuse

• Health care services• early childhood development• self-esteem; support• counselling; mental health

services• substance abuse services

• There are approximately 150 service organizations in Saint John; information has been gathered on 45 programs

• Many programs targeted beyond PLPs

• 25 programs account for $6M - includes approx. 175 staff

• Over 750 volunteers involved in organizations

Source: Torjman, Sherri, Community Based Poverty Reduction

Life skills

Disability related barriers

BEST PRACTICES CONTACTED TO DATE

Langs Farm Village Association, Cambridge, On. - Community development organization targeting social assistance recipients.

West End Community Ventures, Ottawa, On. - Community economic development project designed to increase community wealth.

Yonge St. Mission, Toronto, On. - Community development project designed to assist youth and battered women break the poverty cycle.

Massey Centre, Toronto, On. - Centre established for high risk young mothers teaching job, life, day to day living skills.

OP2000, Waterloo, On. - Project designed to move 2000 people out of poverty.

Parry Sound Harvest Share Program, Parry Sound, On. - Food security program.

BEST PRACTICES CONTACTED TO DATE (continued)

Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Sandy Hill, On. - Health centre providing services to non insured and addictions abuse clientele.

761 Community Development Corp., Toronto, On. - Economic development project funding new businesses operated by PLPs.

Edmonton Kids in the Hall Bistro, Edmonton, Al. - Program for “at risk” youth providing training for life skills and job skills with job placement opportunities.

BEST PRACTICES COMMON THEMES

Philosophy

Concentrate on programs to break the cycle

Holistic approach

Develop strategies for target groups as needs vary widely

Avoid government-type supports which maintain systemic issues and are considered very restrictive

Non judgmental environment

Involve the people and community in decision making

Approaches/Programs

Vital to provide life skills, self esteem programs

Vital to provide supports after social assistance

Concentrate on youth programs and supports

Programs should provide learnings, not just handouts

Computer training programs

Creation of long term jobs3.8

BEST PRACTICES COMMON THEMES

Getting Help

Partnerships with business community

Partnerships with healthcare community

Seek expert advice from private sector

Other

Ensure strategic plan in place for new projects including ways and means to meet objectives

Allocate adequate administration resources

Qualified trained staff best investment

Maintain focus

BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

TARGET - SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES HOW

MAXIMIZE USE OF EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS / INITIATIVES

BCAPI ROLE - CATALYST

- SUPPORTER

- INITIATOR OF LAST RESORT

COORDINATOR

9 SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

TARGETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIESTARGETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES

PREGNANT PREGNANT TEENSTEENS

PREGNANT PREGNANT TEENSTEENS

SINGLE SINGLE PARENTSPARENTSSINGLE SINGLE

PARENTSPARENTS

CHILDREN OF CHILDREN OF SINGLE PARENTSSINGLE PARENTSCHILDREN OF CHILDREN OF

SINGLE PARENTSSINGLE PARENTSTEENSTEENSTEENSTEENS

Helping reduce poverty among single parents will require a focus on four related target groups. Successfully addressing the needs of these groups will help break the poverty

cycle in Saint John.

Helping reduce poverty among single parents will require a focus on four related target groups. Successfully addressing the needs of these groups will help break the poverty

cycle in Saint John.

PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONSPROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

RecommendationsRecommendations

1. Teens

1.1 “Teen Choice” Program

1.2 Information Dissemination

2. Pregnant Teens

2.1 Support First Steps Program

2.2 Support School Day Cares

3. Single Parents

3.1 Case Managers

3.2 Referral System

3.3 Retention of Health Benefits

4. Children of Single Parents

4.1 Childhood Development Prog.

4.2 Funding for School-age Kids

BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVEBUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE

NEXT STEPS FOR BCAPINEXT STEPS FOR BCAPI

COMMUNICATIONS

COORDINATOR

COLLABORATION

DETAILED PLANNING

IMPLEMENTATION