“A Deeper Look: The Poverty Divide in Arkansas” airs June 27 A Deeper Look: Poverty in Arkansas

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on Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:59:42 -0500 21 Jun 2016

Arkansas is currently ranked fourth in the nation with most people in poverty - one of every five people lives below the poverty line - according to the UALR Institute for Economic Advancement.

How does this affect our state and what resources are available to help anyone who is struggling? Find out as we further the conversation about poverty and opportunity in "A Deeper Look: The Poverty Divide in Arkansas," hosted by Phillip Fletcher, founder/executive director of City of Hope. In the program, we'll address the numbers in the poverty divide, see how poverty affects rural and urban areas differently, and how poverty affects veterans and families.

Poverty in urban and rural areas

In urban areas, charities like Our House have access to resources, but are also receive many more requests than they can provide for. Meanwhile, Heifer USA, a division of Heifer International, helps people develop small farms in their communities, but faces complicated logistics.

Veterans in poverty

The greatest housing problem among veterans is housing affordability. In the segment, we'll meet World War II veteran Theoda "Uncle Jack" Butler, who received help with home repairs from Veterans Villages of America. Also featured is Afghanistan War veteran Taylor LaBue, whose PTSD caused difficulties when he returned home. LaBue founded Veterans Impact - Central Arkansas Veterans Mental Health Council and how his advocacy work with veterans has given him support and purpose.

Families in poverty

While Thomas Bolton works 16 hours a day, he and his wife Louise, along with their five children, struggle to make ends meet in one of the highest crime areas in Little Rock. Louise looks for work herself, but a felony arrest from her youth plagues her. In hopes to put the past behind her, Louise focuses on furthering her education. As the bills stack up, the Boltons hold onto each other, more thankful for what they have than what they don't.

Monday, June 27, 2016

"A Deeper Look: The Poverty Divide in Arkansas," 9 p.m.

"A Deeper Look: The Poverty Divide in Arkansas"

"A Deeper Look: The Poverty Divide in Arkansas" is part of the national initiative "Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America," which aims to provide a deeper understanding of the impact of poverty on society and solutions to bring people out of poverty. This is a multi-platform public media initiative that provides a deeper understanding of the impact of poverty on American society. Major funding for this initiative is provided by The JPB Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Ford Foundation.