Strengthening Families
What it means to build community:
Did you know that over half the people living in poverty in the United States are women, and 25% of the US population is comprised of children who are poor?* Poverty impacts our most vulnerable populations and creates circumstances that rob people of meeting their most basic human needs, such as having food, clean water, and shelter. In turn, it becomes a struggle for people in poverty to access the other things they need to get along in society-jobs, health care, and education. In particular, families living in rural poverty are challenged by their geographical location which often prohibits access to public transportation, community services, and social supports.
LightShare has developed a program called FamilyShare that brings generations together to strengthen families living in marginalized rural areas. Our services are offered within the community itself so that residents are more likely to engage in programming. We begin first by meeting basic human needs, like creating a food/clothing/diaper pantry, and then by supporting secondary concerns, like offering parenting classes, so that families then have choices that were once unattainable due to poverty.
Over time, we have found that everyone in the community, regardless of age, culture, or socioeconomic status, has something to offer to FamilyShare. A farmer may provide fresh vegetables to our pantry. A consignment store may donate clothing and equipment to new mothers and babies. A senior adult with time to spare may cook lunch for the families in the parenting program. By building on the talents and resources of young and old, LightShare is helping communities to impact issues related to rural poverty.
