by PPL's Executive Director, Steve
Cramer
The average annual income
for families participating in PPL 's Self Sufficiency Program is
less than $10,000.
I learned that fact the
same day cuts were proposed in state health care for poor Minnesotans.
And on my desk was an article from the Chronicle on Philanthropy
expressing grave concerns about the future of federal efforts to
assist low-income Americans.
I am finding it hard to
reconcile deepening poverty facing people in our community — the
reality we are seeing at PPL — with weakening commitment to addressing
that condition through public action. I see misplaced priorities
in tax and budget policies everywhere I look, both in St. Paul and
Washington D.C.
Since the work of government
is an expression of our collective will, it is also hard to reconcile
the increasingly hard edge of public policy aimed at the poor with
continued, amazing acts of generosity by individuals and organizations
supporting PPL 's work. The spirit of compassion, and the philosophy
of offering a hand-up to folks who are down, guided the many volunteers
and funders who helped us in 2004. Several examples of their work
are noted in this newsletter. Yet that same spirit falls short when
it comes to the decisions of political leaders on our behalf.
The problem here is that
while acts of personal compassion are important and welcome and
needed, they can't make up for the public sector turning a deaf
ear to hardship. Nor can corporate, foundation and individual philanthropy
compensate, as encouraging as recent signs of increased giving are.
If we are our brother's keeper, that counsel must guide the commonwealth
as well as inform our individual actions.
Government does not have
all the answers. PPL knows that well. By working with our families
so closely we see the contradictions, inflexibility and negative
incentives embedded in many programs. But when the shortcomings
of publicly sponsored anti-poverty efforts are used as an excuse
to simply withdraw resources from those most in need in favor of
lesser priorities, greater damage is done.
The volunteers and financial
backers who fuel our work take the right approach. They are dedicated
to helping people help themselves. If public priorities become more
aligned with the values reflected by these supporters, we have a
real chance to assist families facing hard times today create a
better future. Despite what you might think by listening to some
of our politicians these days, we all have a stake in that result.
-Steve Cramer |
