POVERTY
N 1END
LEGISLATED E W S L E T T E R
January, 1992
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We won!!
Single parents on welfare don't have to look for work or training. The new welfare rule goes into effect immediately. End Legislated Poverty worked for three years to get this change in welfare rules. One of the single parents who * ' fought to change this law is Theresa Tressider . Theresa has three girls. She went on radio talk shows. She talked to lots of reporters. She put up with a lot of nasty people calling her names; telling her to get a job. Theresa said she had a job--raising her children. She kept fighting. ELP asked city councils in B. C. to lobby the province to end forced employment. Over 20 cities did, including Vancouver. ELP tried to support the single parents who fought to change the law. ELP organized the events that brought attention to forced employment of single parents. If single parents want to work outside the home, they can ask for help from the Ministry.
A lot of single parents on welfare also worked really hard.
They talked to reporters about their lives. They wrote briefs. They went to Victoria to lobby the ocreds and NDP for change. hey took the government to court. They went down to the Manpower Centre on Hastings Street to look for jobs, and they took their children with them and called the media. They held a "Sanctuary" last February. At this event single parents told thqr story about forced employment to the media. They attended all candidates meetings. They wrote letters to politicians.
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HEROIC WOMEN
By Pat Chauncey
There wouldn't be a food program without heroic effort from a handful of low income women. One or two people get attention from the press when an issue is raised. Usually there are lots of other people involved. Low income people rarely get attention and success from their efforts. Other people get called experts when they have never lived with poverty. Some of the real experts are low income women. Here is a partial list of women who deserve credit for the food program. Many others contributed. Vancouver: Debbie Ellison, Georgina Isaac, Rose Brown, Pat Garret, Mary Ellen Johnstone, Georgina Marshall, Yvonne Marks, Cora Case, Irene Schmidt, the real Margaret Mitchell, Jacquie Cowlan, Katherine and Georgine Zeron, Ellen Woodsworth, Colleen Burke, Pam Cooley, Betty McPhee Dee Martin, Sheila Baxter, and honorary women Dave Martin an Alan Alvare. Victoria: Cindy McLaren, Brenda Pohl, Dorothy Livingstone, Kathy Edwards, Abby Kindlan, Gloria Harris, Evelyn Hammond , Susan Noakes. Surrey: Saffron Kanzeon, Ann Regan,Jemifer Chobotuck, Val Watson, Burnaby : Anita Gingrich, Antoinette Naaffa, Carol WithersChow, Tim Tarter. Nanaimo: Karen Shillington, Gail VanDerLeek, Janet Doherty, Louise Ross, Mary Wasley.. The staff at End Legislated Poverty worked for years with low wages and continued to live poverty while working to get a food program in place. These people continued to work through family crisis, hunger, homelessness. depression, sick and emotionally upset kids, legal problems, child apprehensions and Ministry Investigations.
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Lots of times people had little support in their lives and had families and friends who were embarassed by their efforts. e a r g a r e t Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does. "
We can all celebrate our victory and each contribution.
NDP government to fund food for 100 school.
By Pat Chauncey
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Premier Mike Harcourt and Education Minister Anita Hagen announced a $7 million package for a provincial food program. They made the announcement on Jan. 14th in Surrey. The program is a result of End Legislated Poverty's community organizing since 1987.
"It just goes to show you that if low income people work together we can get what we need, " said Linda Marcotte one of the long time food program organizers. One problem with the food program is this: the government wants School Boards to decide between hot and cold food and between breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Children like the hot lunch program most. End Legislated Poverty is concerned about communities not admitting that they have hungry school children. If you are interested in getting food in your school phone: [phone] and ask for Linda or Pat.
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e new food program could be actly the kind of program End egislated Poverty wanted. Food will have to be available to all children within a school. People who can afford it, pay what they can. The meal is free for people who can't pay. No one will be identified if they need free food.
The food program will be expanded to at least 10 more schools in Vancouver.
NDP welfarg
On raises Feb. lst, welfare rates in B. C . will go up. The cheque you get at the end of January should include the increase. For some people the increase is less than the cost of living. The cost of living has gone up 5 and a half percent. But the increase for single employable people is only 5 per cent. The increase for employable couples is only 4.2 per cent. These people can buy less now than they could last year-even with the increase. The highest increase is for 12.8 percent for two parents with five children. For singles and couples the only increase was for shelter. These people can only get the increase they promise to give it to their landlord. Rent will automatically go up for people in public housing and co-ops. Private landlords will probably raise rents. End Legislated Poverty wants the government to raise welfare rates to the poverty line. We want them to stop separating support and shelter payments. That way people can get the full amount even if they don't give it to their landlord. Here is a list of the new rates:
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For employable singles, couples, and two parent families: Number in family Support Shelter Total
For a single handicapped person: Support: $414 Shelter: $325 Total: $739
re rates--but not much
For unemployable or age 60 to 64, singles, couples, and two parent families: Number in family Support Shelter Total
For one parent families: Number in family Support Shelter Total
End Legislated Povert will continue to work to get the government to raise welfare rates to t e poverty line and minimum wage to at least $8.26 an hour.
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Free law classes
The People's Law School is holding free law classes. Some of them are listed below. If you want to go to a class, call the phone number that is beside it.
Employees ' rights Riley Park Centre (879-6222). Wednesday, March 25th at 7 pm to 9 pm. Immigration procedures Riley Park Centre (879-6222) Wednesday February 26th at 7 pm to 9 pm.
Kensington Centre (327-9401) Tuesday March 24th at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
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Divorce law People's Law School (688-2565) Tuesday, March 31st at 7 pm to 9 Pm.
Custody and access Kerrisdale Community Centre (266-8331) Monday, March 9th at 7 pm to 9 pm.
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The Experts
THE EXPERT
Don't forget to get your tax refunds
Low income people may be able to get money from the government Ottawa. If you have children, can get a child tax credit of per child, maybe more. You can also get a GST tax credit. The amount hasn't been announced yet. Last year it was $190 for single people on welfare. The Downtown Eastside Residents Association is at 9 E. Hastings. They will fill out your tax forms for free so you can get the money. First United Church will also do this. Call them at 681-8365 to make an appointment. Before you go to either group,...