HumanDevelopmentEssaySR


 * ESSAY**

Poverty is when you don't have enough money to survive and provide basic needs to your family. It is a real problem everywhere. In Florida, the poverty rate is 17% and in Hillsborough County it's 19.1%. Florida is ranked 36 out of all the states in the United States in level of poverty (Poverty Map). Kids under 17 have the highest rate for poverty. It is surprising to me how high the poverty rate is. Every now and then I see people asking for money but I never would have thought thought it was 19.1% of Florida. We need to take action to reduce the poverty levels in Florida. But there are ways to help stop poverty (Interactive Poverty Map). To follow are some examples of organizations that reduce poverty.

CCHD is the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. CCHD is run by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It carries out missions all over the U.S. It's main purpose is to stop poverty and live out the mission of Jesus Christ through Social Justice. They show social justice by helping other organizations that help the poor. They give out grants, and donate money to low income people. They also help spread the word about poverty and teach people ways to help the poor (Catholic Campaign for Human Development). They also use the Two Feet of Love in Action. One foot is a social justice and the other is a charitable organization. The social justice foot is for social, political, and economical aspects. They help the poor by getting at the root cause of poverty. The charitable organization are based mostly on the Corporal Works of Mercy**.** They go and help with immediate short term problems in the community (Two Feet of Love in Action). CCHD is funded by collections from each diocese. CCHD has helped thousands of people and has made a big difference in many peoples lives. It is very successful (Catholic Campaign for Human Development).

Meals on Wheels Tampa is a great example of a charitable organization whose mission is to feed the hungry. Meals on Wheels is a national organization, but I am going to focus on Meals on Wheels Tampa. They go to the houses of the elderly or disabled people, who can't afford food or are too old to go out, and deliver the meals to them. They accept donations from people to help them donate more food. They provide charity in my community by helping those who need it to get the food they need to survive. Meals on Wheels Tampa serves 750 hot freshly made meals per day. Overall 51% of participants nutrition status improved and 66% of participants were consuming more calories and grams of proteins because of the meals they received. They also have a program called animeals, a program where they provide dog food to the pet owners who cant go out and carry it home, also they keep the owners happy because they get to keep their pets without worrying about providing dog food to them. The president of Meals on Wheels is Dennis Pitocco (Home).

The Boys and Girls Club of Tampa is one of my favorite Social Justice Organizations. The Boys and Girls Club is a national organization, but I am going to focus on the Tampa location. They provide Social Justice by helping the kids who need it because they are low income or at a high risk of dropping out of school. From ages 5 to 18 they help kids learn skills that will help them get jobs in the future. These skills also help them to believe in themselves that they can grow up to live good lives. The BGS club serves more than 10,000 kids annually. The club is a safe environment for kids to go so they aren't on the streets or joining gangs. The BGC have programs to help kid's self esteem through sports and leadership programs. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa gets most of it's funding through corporate donations. Many famous athletes and celebrities and successful adults went to a Boys and Girls Club when they were young and they credit the BGC putting them on the path to success. This Boys and Girls Club has had much success helping kids. The president and CEO of this great foundation is Bradley Baumgardner (Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay).

I really believe that if everyone makes it a priority, we can end poverty. CCHD is doing their part by helps other organizations that help the poor. Meals on Wheels is feeding the hungry, and the Boys and Girls Club helps kids who need it. Ways that I can help show my love and walk humbly with God is to fundraise for the organizations that help the poor, volunteer my time at these organizations and practice the Corporal Works of Mercy in my daily life. Which means, if I see someone who needs clothes, I can donate some of my clothes. If I see someone who is hungry or thirsty, I can buy them a meal and drink. If I know someone who is sick and can't leave their house, I can take them food or medicine. If we stop poverty then we will boost the entire worlds economy. It is the right thing to do to help the poor. Everyone should have what they need to live. Some people shouldn't have a lot while other people have nothing. God would want us to share so everyone can be happy and no one should be suffering.


 * Works cited**

"Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay." Boysandgirlscluboftampabay Home. Boys and Girls Club Tampa, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. .
 * This is a valid website because it is the official website of Meals on Wheels.

"Catholic Campaign for Human Development." Catholic Campaign for Human Development. CCHD, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014. .
 * This is a valid website because it was give to us by CCHD.

"CCHD Videos." CCHD Videos. CCHD, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. .
 * This is a valid website because it was given to us by CCHD.

"Home." Meals on Wheels Tampa. Meals On Wheels, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. .
 * This is a valid website because it is the official website for Meals On Wheels Tampa.

"Interactive Poverty Map | State and County Level Poverty Information."Poverty Map. CCHD, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2014. .
 * This is a valid website because it was given to us by CCHD.

"Poverty Map." Poverty Map. CCHD, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014. .
 * this is a valid website because it was given to us by CCHD.

"Two Feet of Love in Action." Two Feet of Love in Action. CCHD, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2014. .
 * This is a valid website because it was given to us by CCHD.