Report on Rochester Community Outreach Forum for Poverty Alleviation

A Community Outreach Forum was convened in Rochester, New York, to formulate a strategic plan addressing systemic poverty. Community leaders and members gathered to advocate for policy changes and initiatives directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Advocacy for Economic Justice and Decent Work (SDG 1 & SDG 8)

The forum placed significant emphasis on the need for economic reforms to combat poverty. Jalil Muntaqim of Citizen Action of New York highlighted Rochester’s status as the third most impoverished city in the state, underscoring the urgency of achieving SDG 1. The core of the discussion centered on the inadequacy of the current minimum wage in providing a sustainable livelihood, a key target of SDG 8.

• Living Wage Demand: Roxana Siacam from the Worker Justice Center of New York stated that a single individual requires approximately $23 per hour to live sustainably in Rochester. This call for a living wage, rather than a minimum wage, is a direct effort to ensure decent work and economic security.
• Personal Testimony: The personal account of attendee Jeal-Paul Klem, who experienced housing instability while earning $15 an hour, illustrated the direct link between insufficient wages and precarious living conditions, reinforcing the need for economic policies that support individual and community well-being.
• Proposed Policy: Leaders are advocating for the state-level adoption of the Working Families Tax Credit, a measure designed to provide direct financial relief of up to $1,600 per child, contributing to the reduction of poverty (SDG 1) and inequality (SDG 10).

Addressing Community Vulnerabilities and Basic Needs (SDG 2 & SDG 11)

The forum also addressed the interconnected issues of housing and food insecurity, which are critical components of sustainable community development. The goal is to create a more inclusive and resilient urban environment as outlined in SDG 11.

• Housing Security: The instability caused by low wages leading to potential homelessness was a primary concern, directly challenging the objective of SDG 11.1 to ensure access to adequate and affordable housing for all.
• Food Security: Michael Marshall of the Immanuel Baptist Church described the essential role of the church’s food cupboard in providing mutual aid. This initiative addresses immediate needs related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) for community members facing economic hardship, such as a nurse on workman’s compensation who relies on the service.

Strategic Objectives and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The forum itself exemplified SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together diverse stakeholders, including non-profit organizations, religious institutions, and citizens, to build a coalition for change. The primary objectives established during the meeting aim to create a comprehensive framework for poverty reduction.

1. Establish a Public Bank: A key proposal was the creation of a public bank in Rochester to reinvest in the local community and support sustainable development projects.
2. Secure a Higher Living Wage: The central demand is to move beyond the minimum wage to a living wage that reflects the actual cost of living, directly supporting SDG 1 and SDG 8.
3. Ensure Housing Security: Implement policies and support systems to prevent homelessness and ensure stable, affordable housing for all residents, in line with SDG 11.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses several interconnected issues in Rochester, primarily revolving around poverty, wages, and housing. These topics directly align with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The central theme of the article is the community’s effort to address and end poverty in Rochester, which is explicitly mentioned as the “third worst city for poverty in New York state.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The demand for a higher living wage and the discussion around the inadequacy of the current minimum wage connect directly to the goal of achieving decent work for all.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights the economic struggles of specific community members and advocates for policies like the Working Families Tax Credit, which are designed to reduce economic inequality and support vulnerable families.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The call for “housing security” and the personal account of losing an apartment due to financial instability relate to the goal of ensuring access to adequate and affordable housing for all city residents.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific actions and goals mentioned in the article, the following targets can be identified:

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.” The forum’s stated aim to “create a concrete plan to address poverty” and the quote “we want to end poverty in Rochester” directly align with this target of poverty reduction.
• Target 1.3: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all…” The push for the state to adopt the “Working Families Tax Credit” is a direct call for a specific social protection policy aimed at providing financial support to families, which is a key component of this target.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The advocacy for a higher living wage is central to this target. The article contrasts the current minimum wage ($15/hour) with the estimated living wage needed to “sustain” a single person (around $23/hour), highlighting the gap that needs to be closed to ensure decent work.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.4: “Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.” The article’s focus on advocating for a higher living wage and the implementation of the Working Families Tax Credit are prime examples of the fiscal and wage policies mentioned in this target, aimed at creating greater economic equality.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing…” The community’s call to advocate for “housing security” and the personal story of an individual losing their apartment because it was “bleeding what little money you have dry” directly point to the need to achieve this target of affordable housing for all residents.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to track progress:

Indicators for SDG 1 & 10

• Poverty Rate: The statement that Rochester is the “third worst city for poverty in New York state” implies the existence of a measurable poverty rate (related to Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line) that can be tracked over time to measure the success of anti-poverty initiatives.
• Social Protection Benefits: The proposed “Working Families Tax Credit” provides a specific financial metric: “$1,600 per child annually.” The adoption and disbursement of this credit can be tracked as a measure of social protection coverage (related to Indicator 1.3.1 and 10.4.1).

Indicators for SDG 8

• Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage: The article provides clear monetary figures that serve as indicators. Progress can be measured by tracking the gap between the current minimum wage ($15/hour) and the proposed living wage ($23/hour). Any increase in the local minimum or average wage would be a direct indicator of progress (related to Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings).

Indicators for SDG 11

• Housing Affordability/Security: While no specific number is given, the call for “housing security” and the personal testimony of housing loss due to cost imply that metrics like eviction rates, the number of housing-insecure individuals, or the percentage of income spent on housing could be used as indicators to measure progress towards affordable housing (related to Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: whec.com