Welcome to Urban Plunge
The Church in Social Action
Introductions:Who are you?
Who are we?
What is this all about?
Goals of Urban PlungeLearn more about the current realities of urban poverty and communities affectedLearn more about the role of CST – Catholic Social Teaching- and it’s role in relation to the Church to respond to the current realities of urban povertyLearn more about asset-based social actionGet to know your local metro areas betterGain experience of learning from a new textbook: Communities and their stories will become your textbook
For 48-72 hours you will encounter the realities of urban poverty and the communities affected the most by these realitiesFor 48-72 hours you will learn and work alongside many great people and organizations that are seeking to fight against the root causes of injustice and poverty.
Course overviewPoverty in the U.S. –class 1Catholic Social Teaching & Church response -class 2Building Justice & Dignity within Urban Communities –class 3Immersion: Urban Plunge (48-72 hours after New Years)
o Reflection & Analysis: Faculty and peer groups –-class 4
How Catholic social tradition can be integrated on a practical level
Poverty: more than just insufficient income
Benefits of asset-based approach to poverty reduction
Rethinking Poverty
Logistics:Syllabus Plunge info
Site info / Site leaderTransportationParent infoAgreements
Registration – November 18th
See agreement for last date to drop without $100 penalty Website: http://www.nd.edu/~uplunge
Class tonightIntrosLogistics Poverty in the US (mini lecture)Panel on Urban Poverty(7-8pm): Faces and voices beyond the history and statistics
***Intro Question: Turn to your neighbor…
“Why do you think urban poverty exists”
Urban Poverty in the US 101o Numerous elements to take into account including
things that can and can’t be controlledo US Historyo Demographics – eco/socialo Access to
o Opportunityo Housingo Health Careo Transportationo Education
o Mental illnesso Addictiono Incarceration in the US/ targeted traps
Just the facts Ma’am….In 2012, the official poverty rate was 15.0 percent. There were 46.5 million people in poverty24 percent of that population was under the age of 18Females make up the larger group of the 46.5 millionAfrican Americans (27%) make up the larger of the 46.5 million (Latino 25%, White 12%)In 2011 43 percent of people in poverty were living in central cities while 40 percent were living in the suburbs
Incarceration and Family Structures
2.3 million Americans are in prison or jail; 1/100 adults.Current American incarceration rates are unprecedented historically or comparatively.About a third of young African American high school dropouts are in prison or jail. Two thirds of these young men will have been in prison or jail before they reach their thirties.Crime is more common in poor, urban minority communities.Poor, urban, minority young men are more likely than others to be arrested and incarcerated.Some young men turn to crime—especially drug and property crimes—because of the lack of other income-generating opportunities.
Incarceration and Family StructuresMass incarceration has been devastating for poor minority communities.A quarter of all black children will have a parent incarcerated at some point during their childhood.A prison record makes it much more difficult for a young man to get a job or succeed economically.Incarceration depresses marriage rates in poor communities.Of poor African American children, 78 percent were in female headed families.Jobless men, incarcerated men and men with criminal records are seen as less desirable marriage partners.
ResourcesMary Jo Bane –Political Science, Harvard -2012 lecture can be found on CSC websiteKathy Edin –Sociologist, Harvard Law -Promises I Can Keep: Why Poor Women put Motherhood Before Marriage
William Julius Wilson, Sociologist, Harvard -The Truly Disadvantaged -When Work Disappears -More Than Just Race
2012 US Census Data
Bruce Western (Harvard) and Todd Clear (Rutgers) –both in Criminal Justice – 2 articlesVideo Segment from: Just Neighbors: Communities of Faith Helping People in Need –can be found in the CSC (see Melissa or Bill Purcell)
Voices beyond the figuresSegment from Just Neighbors
Panel:-Charles Jenkins-Charles Austin-Laura
