Economic Security Rally

April 11, 2000

Advocates and concerned citizens gathered on the North Steps of the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 11^th to call for policies leading to economic security for everyone in Connecticut.  Rally-goers, led by the Reverend Ben Dowdell of the Urban League of Greater Hartford chanted a chorus of "Economic Security: If Not Now, When?"  The rally was part of a day-long lobbying event coordinated by the Campaign to Fight Poverty and Build Economic Security.

Rally-goers were urged to unite in the crusade to create policies leading to self-sufficiency for everyone in Connecticut.  Frank Perez of the Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum introduced speakers from state agencies and advocacy groups, as well as low-income people.  Speakers addressed five issues that are central to  self-sufficiency: affordable housing, quality education, universal healthcare, good jobs, and effective democracy.    

Clean, safe housing is a moral imperative – not a gift, said Fernando Betancourt of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.  Eileen Melendez shared the story of here severely ill infant niece who, while being treated by a feeding tube, was forced to live on the streets because her parents could not afford a place to live. 

Rev. Ben Dowdell 

A key to self-sufficiency is a living wage.  Lori Pelletier of Connecticut AFL-CIO explained that a family with two adults and one infant in Hartford would need to earn $14 an hour for 40 hours per week to be financially independent; in Stamford, the same family would need to earn $19 an hour.  Click here for more information about Connecticut's Self-Sufficiency Standard.

Another path out of poverty is access to education and training, with accompanying child care.  Luz Santana, of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, called for financial support of education and training programs.  Esther Santana, a Jobs First client and mother of three, called for access to training for good-paying jobs.  Her current wages from a job secured through Jobs First, at $9 per hour for 40 hours per week, are not sufficient to support her three children and herself. 

Child care is needed to ensure access to employment, education, and training.  Amanda Brown, a former welfare recipient with an infant, credited her parents' child care assistance as the reason she was able to attend college while maintaining full time employment.  There is currently a child care gap in Connecticut for parents of special-needs children.  Yvette Lopez, a New Britain parent, has been unable to find someone certified to care for her special-needs child.    

Miles Rappaport

Also, health care must be provided to everyone.  Suzanne Havelin of Health Care for All called for extending HUSKY benefits to parents of eligible children.  People should not be forced to make the choice between health care or basic needs such as shelter or food.     

Effective democracy plays an integral role in advancing policies that ensure self-sufficiency for everyone, according to Miles Rappaport, Executive Director of Democracy Works.  LuAnn Talbert, an ex-offender from Bristol, called for the restoration of voting rights to ex-offenders. 

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The Campaign to Fight Poverty and Build Economic Security is made up of a number of groups committed to working towards policies that will lead to economic self-sufficiency for everyone in Connecticut.  To get involved in the Campaign, contact Sara Parker-McKernan at (860)278-5688x11. 

Campaign Members:

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