Protecting the Rights of Migrant Farmworkers
Summary
Throughout New York State, thousands of farmworkers face difficult working conditions, living conditions and other barriers to quality of life.
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Human Services
Increased Access to English Literacy Programs
Summary
Thousands of immigrants in New York State are thwarted in their attempts to further contribute to their new country. In some cases, immigrants have to wait years to participate in English literacy programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
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New York State Commission on Poverty
Summary
Catholic Charities USA has initiated a “Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America” with a goal of cutting poverty in half by 2020. More than a dozen states have created bi-partisan commissions to narrow the widening gap between the rich and the poor by eliminating barriers — such as lack of education, poor transportation and inadequate child care — that prevent many from finding better jobs and escaping chronic poverty. The time is right for New York State to create a similar Commission that has concrete goals for reducing poverty within a specific timeframe.
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Adopting Policies that Encourage Responsible Private Sector Job Growth
Summary
The Roman Catholic Bishops are concerned about the rising gap between rich and poor, the loss of jobs caused by the increasing globalization of the economy, the growing poverty in rural areas, and the increased economic insecurity for the poor and middle class. The Bishops, therefore, propose that the State’s leaders work together to develop policies to stimulate the creation of jobs and a stronger economy for all New Yorkers.
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Provide Education and Training Programs Leading to Gainful Employment with Adequate Benefits
Summary
Funds for education and training programs have increasingly been diverted to reduce budget deficits over the past several years. The resulting reductions in these programs threaten New York’s historic commitment to an educated workforce. For the New York families struggling to make ends meet, education and training for skilled jobs may be their best path out of poverty. This is especially true for people leaving welfare for work who, on average, earn salaries at or below the federal poverty level.
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Expanding Supports for Working Families
Summary
Low- and moderate-income working families are increasingly under severe financial strain that undermines family stability. The cost of childcare, housing, transportation, health care and diminished purchasing power all place an undo burden on working families.
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Support Efforts to Improve Economic Growth in Upstate Urban Areas
Summary
The Roman Catholic Bishops are concerned about the uneven economic picture in various parts of New York State. The problem is especially evident in upstate urban areas: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica. Our upstate cities and counties have experienced a significant loss of jobs and people, especially youth. Crime continues to be a significant problem and housing stock has deteriorated and often been abandoned. Urban schools are losing students and are having difficulty meeting performance standards while the percentage of people living in poverty in upstate cities and first-ring suburbs continues to increase. While the responses needed to address these issues are varied and often complex, we believe that rebuilding the fabric of upstate communities will not start to occur and be sustained until the state’s leaders work together to develop policies to stimulate the creation of jobs and a stronger economy for all New Yorkers.
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Meeting the Needs of Rural New Yorkers
Summary
The majority of New York State’s residents live and work in large cities, but most of the land in the Empire State is considered rural. Although the social problems that exist in urban and suburban areas of the state of New York also exist in rural areas, rural New Yorkers have needs that are unique.
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Maintaining Public-Private Partnerships in the Delivery of Health and Human Services
Summary
For decades, not-for-profit providers have worked with State and local government to deliver services in a cost-effective manner. However, contracts and payments have failed to keep pace with inflation, placing the partnership at risk.
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Increase the Availability of Affordable Housing for Low- and Moderate-Income Families
Summary
The continuum of safe, affordable housing opportunities with appropriate support services for low- and moderate-income families and individuals needs to be preserved and expanded, especially in rural areas.
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