The Upper Valley Haven

Be Kind. Be Thoughtful. Be Helpful.

Ten Things YOU Can Do

Top 10 Things You can do TODAY To Fight Against Poverty and Homelessness in the Upper Valley


  1. Read About The Issues
    Two local authors have written powerful accounts of their own experience with poverty: Mary Childer’s Welfare Brat and Michelle Kennedy’s Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (with Kids) in America: My Story. We also recommend Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.
  2. Sign Up To Receive A Local Organization’s Newsletter
    Call or check out the web site of a task force member’s organization that calls out to you.
  3. Write To Your Federal And State Representatives
    Support a significant increase in the federal and state minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour). Support federal housing assistance (Section 8 vouchers).
  4. Talk With Your Local Planning And Zoning Boards
    Support affordable housing initiatives in your town. Support zoning that allows for cluster developments that are varied in home prices. Do not support the creation of socio-economic ghettos.
  5. Talk To Your Friends
    Tell them that you care about these issues and educate them. Share resources such as the Educational Task Force (information below).
  6. Give To Your Favorite Local Charity
    There are many ways of giving: financially, through clothing and food donations, or your time.
  7. Volunteer
    There’s nothing like first hand knowledge of the issues. Most organizations welcome an extra hand!
  8. Support Education Initiatives
    The cure for generational poverty is education.
  9. Give Someone In Need A Job
    Employers can help by hiring and mentoring individuals who want to change their lives but need to “get their foot in the door” and to receive a little guidance.
  10. Listen
    Open up to experiencing the reality of poverty. Hear the stories and the frustration so you can imagine and develop the solutions. We need new ideas.

The Educational Task Force on Homelessness and Poverty

Mission: To provide thought-provoking educational programming to inspire Upper Valley citizens to work toward eliminating poverty and homelessness in their communities.

For more information, please email at the Upper Valley Haven, or call (802) 295-6500.

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The Upper Valley Haven | 713 Hartford Avenue | White River Junction, VT 05001 | 802.295.6500 |