(PHILADELPHIA) July 11th, 2013 – Today the City of Philadelphia announced a comprehensive plan to fight poverty among city residents. The plan calls on city agencies, organizations and community groups to work together to achieve five goals. Among them is ensuring that children enter school prepared to learn and expand opportunities for year-round learning. The plan calls for wider availability to quality childcare and public preschool programs.
Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) supports this plan and sees it as a step in the right direction to helping Philadelphia Families. “For families in poverty this announcement is good news” said Executive Director Donna Cooper, “Delivering on this plan can significantly improve the lives of our city’s poorest children.”
According to City statistics, 28% of Philadelphians live in poverty. What’s more shocking, U.S. Census figures show 39% of Children in Philadelphia live at or below the poverty line. PCCY believes this could reverse a trend of poverty in the city and get Philadelphia on the right track. Cooper remarked “What’s important to understand is that the benefits of the plan’s success will accrue to the lives and every Philadelphian and our businesses and institutions.”
The city says persistent poverty is one of the biggest threats to Philadelphia’s future. Cooper agrees, saying “We must all do our part to ensure the plan is successfully implemented. It’s vital to our city’s future.”
For additional comment or to set up interviews, please contact Anthony Hopkins, Communications Director at 215-563-5848 ext. 23 or 484-433-7490(c).
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Founded in 1980, Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY, www.childrenfirstpa.org) is dedicated to improving the lives and life chances of children in the Delaware Valley. Through thoughtful and informed advocacy, community education, targeted service projects and budget and policy analysis, PCCY seeks to safeguard and speak out for the region’s children. PCCY is an independent, non-profit organization.
