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As went American industry in the 1970s and 80s, so went Braddock, Pennsylvania. As with so much of the “Rust Belt,” the town of 2,100 in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh has seen jobs largely dry up, and despite the spirited and sustained efforts of local workers to revitalize the local economy, its population remains a fraction of its peak in the early 20th century. Poverty today is rampant. 

  • 23.9% of households have an annual income of under $15,000
  • 64.6% are unemployed
  • 50.9% of children under 18 live in poverty

Poverty in Braddock reaches across racial and ethnic boundaries, affecting the town’s African American, Caucasian, Latino and mixed residents. In particular, children in Braddock experience poverty — around 50% of kids there live in poverty, almost triple the statewide average. 

Our community partner in Braddock is the nonprofit For Good PGH, an organization whose programs stress inclusivity in order to “create positive experiences for underserved populations” in greater Pittsburgh. Their convictions that “giving is much easier than we realize” and that “the impact is profound” are ones that Family-to-Family shares. We are proud to support their work.

Community Partner:

Kristen Michaels
For Good PGH
910 Braddock Avenue
Braddock, PA 15104

 

 

Data Sources:
2022 U.S. Census Bureau

While the prevailing stereotype of Boston is that of a cluster of tightly-knit, mostly white, working class neighborhoods, the reality is that recent decades have brought a sea change to the city’s racial and economic makeup. Boston is increasingly diverse racially (28% of Bostonians were born outside the U.S., one of the highest rates in the country), while also presenting startling levels of income inequality (it’s the 7th least equal city in the nation by some metrics).

According to the U.S. 2022 Census Bureau:

  • 33.3% are unemployed
  • 25.7% of households have an income of under $35,000

Poverty, and the food insecurity it brings, is most keenly felt by those Bostonians born outside the United States. Almost one in three Asians live in poverty — more than double the rate of white Bostonians. Many of these impoverished recent immigrants are the families we help through our Boston partner organization, Josiah Quincy Elementary School (JQES), located in the downtown section of the city.  

The largest public elementary school in Boston; Josiah Quincy is an inner city school with a diverse student body with special programs for English Language Learners and Students with Multiple Disabilities. Over 83% of the students are considered high needs (current or former English Language Learners, Economically Disadvantaged, or Students with Disabilities). The mission of the school is to prepare students to be contributing global citizens, with an emphasis on international mindedness. 

Through our sponsorship program, economically struggling families recommended by our contact at Josiah Quincy, Ashley Alvarez, receive monthly grocery store gift cards to a local grocery store near their homes.

Community Contact

Ashley Alvarez
Josiah Quincy Elementary School
885 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111

Data Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022American Community Survey

Yes, I’d like to sponsor a family!

Although Orlando brings to mind Disney stories, smiling children and summer vacations, the 2008 recession hit the city hard. The collapse of a hyper-inflated real estate market and a sharp downturn in tourism took their toll, with many residents of central Florida losing tourism related jobs. As the country and the state of Florida have rebounded since 2010, Orlando’s unemployment rate has dropped, but at least 350,000 Central Floridians remain mired in poverty, in large part because available jobs pay very low wages.  

According to 2022 data, in Orlando:

  • 32.3% of people are unemployed
  • 14.2% of people live below the federal poverty line

The working poor number is even bigger. A United Way study showed that 43% of households in Orlando’s Orange County report being unable to afford bare necessities, despite being employed. The median hourly wage in Florida is one of the country’s lowest.

Family-to-Family’s liaison in Orlando is the Jesus Loves You Outreach Ministry, led by its president and founder Pauline Jackson. Pauline opened her doors in 2002. A wife, grandmother and mother of four, she says of her service to others, “I had a rough life. But God came into my life. He saved me. This is my way to give back.” Pauline’s devotion helps hundreds of families in the greater Orlando area. The ministry opens its doors on Wednesdays to offer food, household items, baby supplies and clothing, currently serving anywhere from 70 to 110 families a week. She also runs school backpack and supply drives for low income children every summer as well as personal care item drives for the homeless. And with help from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, the Ministry also offers a children’s summer food program. On Thursday afternoons kids receive backpacks full of non-perishable foods to take home so they’ll have something to eat over the weekend.

Pauline identifies families in need for Family-to-Family’s sponsorship program and The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provide groceries for our sponsored families.

Community Partner:
Pauline Jackson
Jesus Loves You Outreach Ministries
6111 Lost Tree Ct.
Orlando, Florida 32808

To learn more:

Data Sources: 2022 American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau

Yes, I’d like to sponsor a family!

In the heart of Appalachia’s Cumberland Mountains, the town of Beverly is home to Red Bird Mission, a poverty relief organization that serves a remote, impoverished population in Bell, Clay, and Leslie counties in southeastern Kentucky. Access to the region can be difficult, depending on the weather and time of year. Public services and infrastructure are minimal, and lack of education is a significant issue. Public water is inadequate and there’s no public sewer. Telephone and electricity service are unreliable during bad weather.

According to the 2022 Census data:

  • In Bell County 15.7% of residents do not have health coverage
  • In Bell County 455 of residents are unemployed
  • In Clay County 35.1% of households have an income of under $25,000
  • In Clay County 62.7% of housing units are valued under $100,000

Red Bird Mission is the local coordinating agency that refers families in need and distributes groceries purchased by Family-to-Family donating families. Red Bird is a National Mission Institution of The United Methodist Church, and since 1921, it has provided educational, medical, and community outreach programs for residents of the Red Bird River Valley.

In addition to its regular sponsorship program to help families living under the poverty line, Family-to-Family also supports “The Gap Pantry” at Red Bird Mission, which provides food to struggling families with incomes just over the poverty line. Through this sponsorship program, low income, working families can “shop” (no funds needed), for the foods they most need at the “Gap” pantry. Read more about “Gap” family sponsorship here.

Community Contact
Candace Collins
Red Bird Mission
70 Queendale Center
Beverly, KY 40913

To learn more about the area:

Data Sources: Poverty & Education statistics – U.S. Census Bureau

Yes, I’d like to sponsor a family!

A small city located in Genesee County, Burton is a suburb of the economically devastated city of Flint. The area is still reeling from extensive layoffs and plant closings caused by the decline of Michigan’s auto industry.

According to 2022 U.S. Census data, in Genesee County:

  • 29.7% of households have an annual income of under $35,000
  • 24.1% of children under 18 live in poverty
  • 44% of residents are unemployed

Family-to-Family expanded its program to Burton ten years ago when we were contacted by a mother of six who was struggling, unable to provide for her family. Today, our partner in Burton is Atherton Middle School. School officials report that, “…daily, kids are coming into school announcing a parent’s job loss…It seems like the whole state is bleeding.” A school social worker recommends families in need to Family-to-Family for sponsorship.

We also work with Meijer Store in Burton; they provide monthly grocery gift cards for the sponsored families in our program.

Community Contact:
Colleen Kure
Atherton Middle School
3444 S. Genesee Rd.
Burton, Michigan 48519

*Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Yes, I’d like to sponsor a family!

For residents of Mingo County, a mountainous, coal-rich rural area bordering eastern Kentucky, access to the outside world is limited. Many people don’t have reliable clean water or telephone service, and transportation to jobs is difficult for the large number of households that can’t afford to repair a car when it breaks down. 

According to 2019-2023 Census Department data:

  • 38% of children under 18 live below the federal poverty line
  • About a quarter of households have an income of under $15,000
  • Only 8% of residents over 25 have a Bachelor’s degree

Mingo County has the dubious distinction of ranking last of 55 West Virginia counties for adverse health behaviors, including smoking, obesity, binge drinking, teenage births and motor vehicle crash deaths. Opioid addiction is rampant — in 2021 West Virginia had the highest rate of death due to drug overdoses of all 50 states.

Our community liaison in Kermit is Donald Bowen of Vineyard United Baptist Church, located just across the state line in nearby Inez, Kentucky. The Save-A-Lot store in Inez provides grocery gift cards to Family-to-Family’s sponsored families, which are distributed by Donald Bowen once a month. 

Community Contact
Donald Bowen
Vineyard United Baptist Church
PO Box 334
Inez, Kentucky 41224

Read more about Mingo County:

Data Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023

Yes, I’d like to sponsor a family!