"As the economic gap widens, we collectively need to re-imagine how those living in or near poverty can see and live a path to prosperity," according to Colette Murphy, Executive Director of the Atkinson Foundation.
In Toronto, an organization that has been writing about social policy for more than 75 years. "Community benefits agreements' that guarantee training, apprenticeships and jobs for those most in need as part of large, local public and private procurements, is a path that's breaking new ground in
cities like Cleveland, Glasgow and most recently, Toronto."
On September 24 the Halton Poverty Roundtable had Colette Murphy as its inaugural speaker at the first of a five forum series over the coming ten months entitled "Poverty Lives Here." More than 60 community leaders representing the social service sector, those with lived experience, community foundations, and local and regional governments took part in the half-day session.
"The Roundtable seeks to be a convener of organizations with shared interests and a broker of innovative thinking around poverty reduction strategies and tactics," according to Co-Chair June Cock'well. "With this first forum, the HPRT established a fresh platform for sustaining dialogue
about the growing realities of poverty across the Halton community."
HPRT is a 20-member organization comprised of those from poverty related social service agencies, governments, business leaders and individuals with lived experience. The Roundtable not only helps raise the level of awareness about poverty in our Region, but also leverages investment, research and community expertise to incubate and grow innovative projects centred on poverty reduction.