Growing Poverty Rates, Green Jobs for Low-Income Workers on Tap for Anti-Poverty...

Growing Poverty Rates, Green Jobs for Low-Income Workers on Tap for
Anti-Poverty Convention in Philadelphia

WHAT: As foreclosures and job losses continue at a rapid pace and an
increasing number of American families and individuals are falling deeper into
economic despair, 1200 Community Action leaders from across the country will
meet at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown hotel September 1-4 to develop new
ideas and approaches for tackling America's growing poverty problem. The
Community Action Partnership's 2009 Annual Convention--occurring one week
before the US Census Bureau is scheduled to release its 2008 poverty
figures--will also feature initiatives Community Action Agencies have
undertaken to address increased demand for services in their local
communities, including training low-income individuals for "green jobs" and
utilizing funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand
their programs for those in need. In addition, participants will mark an
extraordinary milestone--the 45th anniversary of the Economic Opportunity Act
of 1964 being signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, which created
Community Action Agencies.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1 - Friday, September 4, 2009

WHERE: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: 215-625-2900

MEDIA: Members of the media are invited to cover the convention. Highlights
of the event follow. For a complete convention schedule or for more
information, please contact Lisa Holland, 202-449-9777 (office) or
202-236-6887 (cell, media only)

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS:
Tuesday, September 1
Cradles to Crayons Community Service Project at the Philadelphia Zoo (12:00
p.m. - approximate start time for backpack stuffing; 2:00 p.m. - approximate
start time for zoo tour)

Participants will head to the Philadelphia Zoo to stuff backpacks full of
school supplies for hundreds of low-income Philadelphia children from the
Cradles to Crayons organization. Afterwards, they will join the children for a
tour of the zoo.

-- Witnesses to Hunger: Mothers Taking Action to Improve Policy Photo
Exhibit (on display from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday,
and
Thursday in Franklin 3, 4th Floor of the Philadelphia Marriott
Downtown)

Witnesses to Hunger, a project of Drexel University, is a group of forty
low-income mothers from Philadelphia working to improve the lives of
themselves and their children by challenging politicians and the public to
look at their photographs, listen to their stories, and work to make a
difference for low-income families nationwide. The corresponding panel
discussion for this exhibition is listed below under Thursday, September 3.

Wednesday, September 2
-- Juan Williams - Opening Speaker (approximately 9:30 a.m., Grand
Ballroom, 5th Floor of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)

Williams--a senior NPR correspondent, Fox News contributor, and author of Eyes
on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965, and "Enough: The Phony
Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black
America--and What We Can Do About It"--will look back on the Community Action
and civil rights movements over the last 45 years and discuss what's in store
for the future.

Thursday, September 3
-- Mini General Sessions

-- The Federal Reserve's Role in Consumer Protection (10:30 a.m.,
Salon A/B, 5th Floor of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)

Sandra Braunstein, Director of the Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, will discuss how the Federal
Reserve uses its expertise to write consumer protection rules, enforce those
rules, and conduct community outreach and education activities to protect
consumers and to build strong, healthy, sustainable communities.

-- Green Jobs (10:30 a.m., Salon C/D, 5th Floor of the Philadelphia
Marriott Downtown)

Presenters, including Ladan Sobhani of Green for All, Marty O'Brien of The
Corps Network, and Neil McCabe of WSOS Community Action Commission, will
discuss how investments in a clean energy economy can improve America's
economic security and create pathways out of poverty for millions of people
facing barriers to economic opportunity.

Thursday, September 3 (continued)
-- Mini General Sessions (continued)

-- Women in CAA Leadership (1:30 p.m., Salon A/B, 5th Floor of the
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)

Sarah Martinez-Helfman, Executive Director of the Eagles Youth Partnership
(NFL Philadelphia Eagles), and Frazierita Klasen of the Pew Foundation will
share their experiences and offer suggestions for leadership and program
effectiveness.

-- Witness to Hunger: Mothers Taking Action to Improve Policy Panel
Discussion (3:30 p.m., Salon K, 5th Floor of the Philadelphia Marriott
Downtown)

Three mothers from Witnesses to Hunger and the project's founder will discuss
how they are working to make a change in Philadelphia and the barriers that
they've faced.

Friday, September 4
-- Marshall Howard - Closing Speaker (approximately 10:30 a.m., Grand
Ballroom, 5th Floor of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)

Howard, founder of Marshall Howard & Associates in Canoga Park, California and
author of Let's Have Lunch Together--will discuss how his firm is helping the
California/Nevada Community Action Partnership promote its use of American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to provide jobs, training, and essential
services for local residents.

Based in Washington, DC, the Community Action Partnership is the national
association representing the interests of the 1,000 Community Action Agencies
(CAAs) across the country that are helping low-income people change their
lives and embody the spirit of hope. CAAs care about the entire community and
are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. For more
information about the Partnership and CAAs, visit the association's Web site
at www.communityactionpartnership.com.

CONTACT: Lisa Holland of Community Action Partnership, +1-202-449-9777, Cell:
+1-202-236-6887

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Aug. 31/

SOURCE Community Action Partnership