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March 1999
"Bible Study: The Poor Are Not the Enemy" by Kolya Braun-Greiner
Read this article and Bible study by clicking here.
"Rethinking Welfare" by Ann Withorn and Diane Dujon
"The fundamental question behind debates over welfare reform is whether low-income parents have a right to receive public assistance for their children or whether they can expect temporary financial aid only until society decides they must become employed." This article explores the questions of welfare; what changes were involved in the reform, assumptions about welfare participants; what is happening across the country; and the critical questions citizens of the U.S. need to ask.
"The New Welfare Law" by Ann Withorn and Diane Dujon
This sidebar looks at the key provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which changes "welfare as we knew it" in significant ways. It explains the provisions in layperson's terms.
"Christian Values and Welfare" by Ann Withorn and Diane Dujon
This sidebar looks at eight Christian values. One such value includes: "We believe God wants all children to have the opportunity to thrive." The article then looks at the welfare policy implications on this value and the way the current law relates to the Christian value. For instance, "Policy implications: Welfare should help poor children whatever their parents' circumstances. Current law: Children can be denied assistance based on their parents' inability to find and maintain employment, and will be cut off in five years or less."
"Reflections from Women Who Know" by Yvette Moore
You can read this article by clicking here.
"A Credit to the Neighborhood" by Dave Flessner
You can read this article by clicking here.
"United Methodist Women: Filling the Gaps" by Sheryl Nance-Nash
The decline in welfare recipients' doesn't tell the whole story. More and more, religious and community groups, including the Women's Division, are pitching in to help those who are left dangling and desperate because of welfare changes, and who are part of the story. This article looks at Women's Division grants, made possible by United Methodist Women's undesignated giving, that have made ministries to those left dangling possible. Projects around the U.S. incorporate youth empowerment, micro-enterprise loans, food banks, job and skills training, transitional help, and advocacy projects.
"Reducing Poverty, Not Welfare" by Woody Woodrick and Dana Jones
Sandra once worked in a shrimp-processing plant, 18-hour shifts, because under the welfare-to-work rules, no job can be refused. But this left her with very little money after she paid for child care, and in a dire situation when her son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. This is not a unique situation for Mississippi, where 250,000 children live in poverty--one-third of the state's children. This article looks at the results of a study made possible by a Women's Division grant to Congregations for Children. The study looks at poverty and children in Mississippi, and provides recommendations for alleviating the problem. This article also delves into a second study that explores the needs and healthcare of children in this state.
"A Cold Shoulder for Detroit's Working Poor" by Yvette Moore
You can read this article by clicking here.
| Responsively Yours |
| In Your Unit: A Program for Your
Unit "The Ten Chairs" |
| Spanish: Compremetidas a Cuidar de Otros |
You Belong Here: A Model For Listening |
| Bright Lights |
| Letters |
| How to Use This Issue |
| Women's Division News |