Ending Poverty in the U.S.

My Call to?Action

What if I told you we could end poverty in our time? Would you believe me? It’s not a far-fetched idea. It’s within our reach if we decide to make it a priority. All it takes is a dedicated movement involving millions of people determined to make a change. This is my passion, my calling?—?and I know it can be done.

The Reality of Poverty in America

Poverty in the United States affects millions of individuals and families, and we cannot afford to ignore it. According to the Official Poverty Measure (OPM), as of 2022, 41.16 million people?—?or 12.8% of the population?—?lived in poverty. These numbers are staggering. They represent real people, real lives, and real struggles that extend beyond financial difficulties to affect every aspect of their well-being.

Children are among the most vulnerable. In 2022, 14.4% of children?—?around 10.5 million?—?lived in poverty. That means millions of young people in America are growing up without access to adequate nutrition, housing, education, or healthcare. These children represent the future of our nation, and their poverty impacts us all. We must ask ourselves: how can we accept a system that allows so many children to suffer?

Poverty disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including people of color, single mothers, and those living in rural areas. 19.5% of Black Americans and 17.1% of Hispanic Americans live in poverty, compared to 8.1% of White Americans. These disparities reflect systemic inequalities that must be addressed if we are serious about ending poverty.

A Movement for Change

We need a movement?—?a nationwide commitment to making poverty eradication a top priority. We can’t afford to treat it as a background issue any longer. Imagine if we made the fight against poverty as central to our national agenda as any other crisis. Imagine if we truly invested in solutions and empowered communities to thrive rather than survive.

The resources are there, but our priorities need to shift. The United States spends more than $1 trillion on defense each year. Meanwhile, millions of Americans struggle to afford basic needs like housing, healthcare, and food. The issue isn’t whether we have enough resources to end poverty?—?it’s whether we have the will to use them in the right places.

We can and must do better. We can make a meaningful difference by addressing wage inequality, expanding access to affordable housing, and reforming our healthcare system. These are not easy tasks but necessary to live in a just society.

What It Will Take to End Poverty in the U.S.

The first critical step in tackling poverty is raising wages. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour for over a decade, far too low for anyone to live on. Research by the Economic Policy Institute shows that raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour would lift nearly 1.3 million people out of poverty. We can make a change right now that would positively impact millions of families.

Next, we must address the affordable housing crisis. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that there isn’t a single state in the U.S. where a person working full-time at minimum wage can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Housing costs have skyrocketed while wages have remained stagnant, leaving many Americans to struggle with rent or fall into homelessness. Expanding affordable housing programs and increasing rental assistance could make a significant difference in the lives of millions.

Healthcare is another major factor. Every year, thousands of families are pushed into poverty due to the high costs of medical care. According to the American Public Health Association, medical bills annually drive 530,000 families into bankruptcy. No one should choose between getting the care they need and going bankrupt. Expanding access to affordable healthcare could prevent families from falling into poverty because of illness or injury.

Lastly, education is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against poverty. A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that individuals with a bachelor’s degree earn 67% more per year than those with only a high school diploma. Investments in education, particularly early childhood education, are critical to breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.

My Commitment to This Cause

At WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries ), we are dedicated to improving the lives of people facing poverty. Every day, we provide food, financial assistance, job training, and housing support to individuals and families in need. But as important as this work is, we cannot do it alone. It takes a national effort.

As individuals, we can all contribute to this movement. Whether volunteering, donating, advocating for policy changes, or raising awareness, we all have the power to make a difference. Desmond Tutu once said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

A Call to Action

We can end Poverty in America. We have the resources, knowledge, and ability to do so?—?but we must decide it’s a priority. If we unite in this movement and commit ourselves to making poverty eradication a national goal, we can make it happen.

In the words of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, “Poverty is not created by the poor. It is created by the system we have built.” Let’s rebuild that system?—?one that ensures equity and opportunity for all Americans, regardless of their background or circumstances.

This is my passion. This is my calling. The question isn’t whether we can end poverty in our time?—?it’s whether we will. Let’s get to work.

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Sources:

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Income and Poverty in the United States: 2022. Retrieved from [census.gov ](https://www.census.gov )

National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2021). Out of Reach Report: The High Cost of Housing. Retrieved from [nlihc.org ](https://www.nlihc.org )

Economic Policy Institute. (2021). Raising the Minimum Wage to $15: How It Will Affect Workers and Families. Retrieved from [epi.org ](https://www.epi.org )

American Public Health Association. (2019). Medical Bankruptcy in the United States. Retrieved from [apha.org ](https://www.apha.org )

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Education Pays: Median Earnings and Unemployment by Educational Attainment. Retrieved from [bls.gov ](https://www.bls.gov )