The Poverty Project (inspired by Niebuhr Medal winner Father Gustavo Gutiérrez's message to EC regarding his work with the poor) is a yearlong process in which EC is bringing together the efforts of many in attempt to raise awareness on poverty, both locally and globally.
“There are two ways to spread light; to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it” EC senior and president of the Global Poverty Club, Dan Zarlenga, said.
Zarlenga thinks students should take this opportunity to be the mirror and he is looking forward to EC's efforts of spreading awareness on poverty and its fulfillment of the strategic plan's core values regarding social responsibilities.
Throughout the years several programs have begun to embrace the prevalent issue of poverty into their course curriculum.
The Poverty Project which will shed light on these efforts and potentially create more awareness of the poverty in DuPage County by pulling together elements and creating things such as “a website which will offer resources for the community”, states Desiree Chen- Managing Director of Public Affairs.
Associate professor of English and advisor to The Leader, Ron Wiginton, and his News Writing class (ENG 305) is currently investigating poverty which will be published as part of the project.
"The class project assignment gives my students the opportunity to do some real journalism in a collaborative environment,” said Wiginton.
“If we can do that and also provide a legitimate public service to the community, then that is ideal. The college's poverty initiative was perfect for us.”
"Poverty sometimes seems to be hidden from the non-poor, so students learning about it not only raises their own awareness, but hopefully their work will help to educate others," he added.
The education program has also taken the initiative to address poverty in its program.
“Ms. Kaminski helped co-direct a large grant for partnering with local schools who are classified as high need,” said Debra Meyer, professor of education.
“She has established eight partnerships in area elementary, middle, and high schools through which our EC students offer after school tutoring, after school science programs, and during school tutoring.”
Terry Johnson, associate nursing professor, states that the nursing students are required to complete a community and public health clinical which includes working at places such as WIC (Women, Infants, Children) and DuPage Community Clinic.
The future nurses use this experience to “put a face on it [poverty],” stated Johnson, which has been more prevalent than ever during the recession due to the number of uninsured and the cost of health care and they must always be aware of cost for their patients.
"Most of these wonderful classroom efforts have been going on for some time, but in relative isolation," said President Alan Ray.
"But as we identify them and bring them to the fore, and augment their actions with cultural events for the College community and beyond, we can fully appreciate the power of what we are doing.”
President Ray added, “These efforts by students and by the faculty also provide perfect examples of how we live our core values of engagement, intellectual excellence and social responsibility.”
President Ray is positive about the influence the program will have in the future.
“My hope is that this yearlong look at poverty will lead to similar efforts next year and in years to come for the College to take up other issues of social justice, to look around our community with fresh eyes, and realize the extent of our contribution."