ProsperUS initiative looking to end childhood poverty in Windsor

 Windsor-West has one of the highest child poverty rates in the country, 32 per cent according to an analysis by anti-poverty advocacy group Campaign 2000. A local youth-focused collective project is looking to tackle the issue. 

   According to the analysis by Campaign 2000, 32 per cent is about 8680 low income children. 

   ProsperUS is looking to support children in their education, career and life. They plan to do this through collective impact, where the work of multiple agencies is aligned to look at data, determine the important issues and contribute to the same programs and services. 

   They will also host monthly meetings with the youth involved to discuss issues they believe are important in the community and work towards diminishing those issues.

   Janice Kaffer, the president and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and the co-chair of ProsperUS, said the goal of ProsperUS is ending childhood poverty in Windsor. 

   “The goal at the end of the multiple number of milestones and years that we are going to be working on this initiative is that all children in Windsor-Essex have the opportunity to thrive and strive towards goals,” said Kaffer. 

   “Ultimately what that is intended to do is break the cycle of inter-generational poverty that we see in Windsor-Essex that is specifically located in is some very significantly deprived neighbourhoods across our community.” 

   Sarah Horan, 18, lives in west Windsor and said she thinks the initiative will make a positive impact on the community. 

   “It’s a great idea that I hope will not only help give our youth a source for support but could also potentially get some off the streets for a bit and give them a place for their voices to be heard,” said Horan. 

   “Offering a place for their voices to be heard can do a lot for a kid if they don’t have that support.” 

   According to Statistics Canada, Canada’s poverty rate is the lowest it has been in years at 8.7 per cent in 2018. For children under 18 it was 8.2 per cent but in Windsor 22.6 per cent of children under 17 live in poverty. 

   Kaffer said she thinks it is important to support youth because a healthier community creates even more opportunities. 

   “One of the things I know from my health career is that there are significant impacts of poverty on a person’s health and their entire life. So if we can chart a different course for these kids, where they are living in circumstances where they don’t have enough of the different aspects of life to help them be successful, we can change the course of their entire life, including their health status,” said Kaffer. 

   She said there is a recognition from many partners around the table and it is economically good for the city. 

   “They contribute to the community’s well-being and growth and are healthier people with careers and families.” 

   ProsperUS will be holding an event called YQG Youth Talks where the community will participate in a discussion of issues impacting youth and mentorship. The event is May 14 from 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Hellenic Centre. It costs $30 per person. Registration for the event opens March 9. 

For more information regarding the event, contact [email protected] or phone 519-252-1171, ext. 3210.