DIALOGUE ON POVERTY

What is it like to be poor in Southeast Missouri? Almost 45 percent of the combined populations of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties know the answer.

A family of four earning less than $15,600 in 1994 was considered impoverished.

To learn more about how poverty affects families, the East Missouri Action Agency is sponsoring a Dialogue on Poverty Tuesday at the Show Me Center. The event begins with a meal at 6 p.m. followed by discussions at 7 p.m.

The goal of the local forum is the give the poor a voice and to help identify the community leaders necessary to solve the problems that poverty creates, said Robert Fulton, EMAA executive director.

The meeting is part of a national dialogue sponsored by the National Association of Community Action Agencies. The results of the meetings will be reported to state and national leaders.

The nine critical areas to be discussed at the meeting are: housing and basic needs, health, income and work, education, family development, early childhood care and development, crime, citizenship in a civil society and anti-discrimination and inclusiveness.

East Missouri Action Agency is a community action agency serving Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties.

For more information about the dialogue or to arrange transportation, call 334-5533 in Cape Girardeau, 431-0103 in Perry County, or 238-4220 in Bollinger County.