Lemontree links: Clarifying poverty definitions

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”

Nelson Mandela

It was brought to my attention that, what one person may consider poverty may be a fairly good living to someone else... and vice versa. Homelessness, for example, can be considered strictly by what it says “home-less” as in without a home, without a roof; living on the streets or in a shelter. But, there are many who are considered “hidden homeless” – those couch surfers (who are not couch surfing by choice) or those who sleep in their cars and shower at the Y. So – what is “homelessness” to you?

To help you, Lemonhead friends, here are a couple of Websites that can help us understand. If we understand and internalize our definitions, we will be able to focus our actions to make a real difference!

Previously known as the National Anti-poverty Organization,

Canada without poverty has a goal: to eradicate poverty from Canada by 2020. Their Websites helps shed some definitions around what poverty really means. South of the 49th (parallel), a fantastic blog: Poverty in America provides some clarity in definition and food for thought on actions and questions to ask.

For me – poverty starts from the notion that opportunity has been removed from a person’s realm of possibility. If someone has lost their hope, or their ability to see opportunity; or – if someone truly doesn’t have plausible opportunity, then this is poverty. Let’s be clear: I am referring here to the opportunity of accessing a better life, not buying a bigger boat!

I would like to make it my goal to help people restore the ability to see opportunity. It’s there, it needs to be seen, and then – opportunity needs to be seized.