Rochester report: 40% of youth live in poverty

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A report on childhood poverty in Rochester outlines a lack of access to affordable childcare and pay gaps as some of the leading causes. The report, constructed by Rochester City Council Vice President LaShay Harris, outlines potential solutions to the ongoing issue.
Vice President Harris listed 13 recommendations to address some key issues outlined in the report, including the revelation that an estimated 42% of children in the city are living in poverty.
The following results came from community feedback and expert testimony:
Number 1: The City of Rochester should, collectively with all levels of government, local funders, organizational partners, and the community put an end to poverty.
Number 2: The City of Rochester should continue to invest in strategies that promote job creation, workforce development, and economic inclusivity.
Number 3: The City of Rochester should continue to pilot programs that support generational wealth building.
Number 4: The City of Rochester should invest in neighborhoods and listen to the residents.
'This is the most important part of this, I would say, and the more of that that we've done, that we do, the more progress we'll make,' Harris said.
Number 5: We should also invest in affordable housing and accessibility and health and housing stability.
Number 6: We should also make sure that youth development equitable opportunities for all.
Number 7: We should build family support at the R-Centers and libraries including programming that provides youth with leadership skills, job skills training, and hands-on experiences.
Number 8: Based on the findings of the Community Food Systems plan, the city should continue to move forward with innovation strategies and policies to have access to healthy and nutritious foods.
Number 9: The People, Parks, and Public Works Committee will continue to explore opportunities to amplify and implement the findings and recommendations of this report.
Number 10: Invest in safer neighborhoods
Number 11: Engage in federal advocacy to protect and secure essential social safety netprograms and funding for Rochester families.
Number 12: The city should engage in New York state advocacy for changes at the state level to advance upward mobility and address the root causes of childhood poverty.
Number 13: The city should engage in advocacy at the county level to adjust childhood poverty
Laid out in a 265-page report (see end of article), Vice President Harris said the city emphasized investing in affordable housing and accessibility, and health and housing stability.
'I have found new hope that we can work together as elected officials and local leaders to bring meaningful change to our city today,' Harris said.
Recommendations also included fully funding and investing in the recommendations of the New York State Child Poverty Task Force, which would establish a statewide food and rental assistance program.
This research is meant to help mothers like Qutisha Britt. She shared her story on how she feels the cost of living makes it difficult to afford necessities.
'One of the best things New York State, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester can do is get more money into the pockets of families living in poverty on a consistent basis, I know what my child needs most, and having the money to afford healthier meals and a better place to live is the easier way to provide for her,' Britt said.
Britt said a recommendation for the state would be to pass the Working Family Tax Credit to put money directly into the pockets of families. Britt, Harris, and Eamon Scanlon from Rochester's Children Agenda said regardless, more needs to be done.
'We can cut child poverty in our community and the entire state if we are willing to adopt transformational policies,' Scanlon said. 'Rate of child poverty is the result of policy choices, not personal failures.'
The full report is available below. The Rochester City Council, People, Parks, and Public Works Committee is expected to consider the adoption of the report at its next meeting on April 8.
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