You can help end poverty in America

Some people think poverty in America is a thing of the past. They are wrong. Millions of families struggle to make ends meet and break out of the cycle of poverty. According to the Census Bureau, about 44 million Americans (14.3 percent) lived below the poverty line ($21,947 for a family of four) in 2009. Shockingly, 20.3 percent of children live in poverty.

“To Catch A Dollar,” a Sundance film documentary, offers proof that we can do something practical to help Americans lift themselves out of poverty. In addition to helping female entrepreneurs start their own businesses, we can build on effective anti-poverty policies such as the Earned Income Tax Credit to help low-income working families build their savings and be a part of the American dream. These are serious solutions that can help Americans everywhere.

I encourage everyone to join our RESULTS Cedar Rapids Volunteer Chapter at Galaxy 16 theater at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and watch “To Catch A Dollar.” Then get involved by going to www.results.org.

Judy Smith

McDowell