The Robert Goodis Foundation

Poverty is a serious issue.  Both globally and domestically within the United States, poverty affects the majority of the world population.

Economic justice is necessary to move the world forward.  Because governments lack the capacity to micromanage on an effective level, it is up to individuals to help each other and relieve the ails of poverty.

Poverty is almost inseparable from countless issues, all of which are matters of basic human rights.  Hunger.  Homelessness.  Healthcare.  These are the obvious points.  Poverty also relates to matters of education, criminal justice systems, and so much more.

While it may not be possible to solve every problem with one action, there are many ways to begin helping.  Please read on to understand a little more and learn what you can do.

Some facts and statistics on poverty:

At least 80% of the world population lives on less than $10 USD a day and almost 50% of the world population lives on less than $2.50 USD a day.Poverty, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions."  Governments impose a more rigid definition, stating exactly what income determines a person or family's status as indigent.  Because the cost of living varies from place to place, the 'poverty-line' also varies.  For example, a person living on $75 a day in a large U.S. city may be living in poverty, unable to survive in that city, while someone earning the same money in a rural U.S. community could lead a healthy life.  Similarly, a person living on the equivalent of ten United States dollars a day could be considered wealthy in some parts of the world.

The gap between the rich and poor is widening, and the world middle-class is disappearing.  Epidemics are increasingly common among the poor, who are unable to afford adequate medical care or preventative measures such as hygienic care or proper meals and safe water.

At the turn of the century, over a billion people were unable to read or write.

About 25% of all humanity lives without electricity or any 'modern conveniences.'

According to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.”

The poor are often deprived of their civil rights, even in the Uniited States.  Basic matters of human rights, such as housing, food and water, healthcare, and simple liberties define the daily plight of the world's people living in poverty.

In the United States of America, homelessness is at record levels, and on the rise.  Existing data yields estimates where the current U.S. homeless population could range anywhere from 0.8 million to 3.5+ million persons (with about 40% of the homeless being children).  Homelessness in the United States only affects about 2-10% of the population living below the poverty level.

Individuals living in poverty, and especially the homeless, are consistently the victims of crime.  Hate crimes against the homeless are on the rise.

There are countless ways you can help to combat the problems of poverty.  As with nearly any social issue, you can start at a local level: volunteer at soup kitchens and shelters or support your local family-services program.

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Please also check out some of the great organizations listed on this page.

A featured affiliate working to fight poverty is Kiva.  Kiva allows any individual to loan any amount of money (minimum $25.00) to help an entrepreneur stabilize their business and work to pull themselves out of poverty.  With Kiva, you choose to whom you are lending your money, and all money you contribute will be repaid on the terms of the loan (often within a few months).  This provides everyone an opportunity to help fight poverty with no long-term cost or commitment.

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You can also help by donating or volunteering to build homes, maintain shelters and kitchens, and fund social projects anywhere from within your very community to the other side of the world.  With resources like The Hunger Site, you can help provide food to the hungry with the click of your mouse, at no cost to yourself.

Another way to help, at least in the United States, is by lobbying for government action.  Find out more by visiting the Bringing America Home Campaign.

Poverty is a significant issue that has such a profound impact on society, it cannot be considered solely a financial/economic matter.

To see other information relevant to poverty, please follow the links in the navigation panel on the left of this page.

National Coalition for the Homeless

Kiva (Person-to-person loans that support entrepreneurs worldwide)

Oxfam International: Oxfam America

 The Hunger Site: Donate Food for Free

 Habitat for Humanity

Hunger Action Center: Feeding America

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Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.  Contact Robert.