Dec 7, 2007 4:02 pm US/Eastern
Urban League Releases African Amer. Poverty Report
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A new report by the Urban League of Philadelphia takes a hard look at the lives of African Americans in Philadelphia and hopes the report will be used as a tool to advance the African American community.
Benjamin Lee, who is currently homeless, said a divorce followed by unemployment, landed him on the streets. In two years, he went from a working family man, to alone and living below the poverty line.
The Sunday Breakfast Association, an organization that helps homeless men get back on their feet, is helping Benjamin.
According to the Urban League report on black in Philadelphia, Benjamin's story is not all that rare:
- 32-percent of blacks in the city, like Benjamin, are living below the poverty line
- 25-percent have less than a high school diploma
- 12-percent have no health insurance (double the percent of whites in the city)
"The overall equality index for African Americans in Philadelphia is .72. Meaning that blacks in the city are only 72 percent as well off as their white counterparts," said Patricia A. Coulter, Chief Executive Office of the Urban League of Philadelphia.
The report covers five areas including economics, health and education. It is the first report that focuses solely on African Americans in Philadelphia.
"This book is not just a book of complaining. This book also puts forth an agenda for some of the things we can do to uplift our community," said Michael Rashid, Chairman of the Urban League of Philadelphia.
The hope is that lawmakers will use the information to fund and create more effective public programs, similar the one Benjamin is in. He calls it a life preserver.
"Without them with out them the homelessness in the city is going to explode. It's going to be too much to handle," said Benjamin.
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