Pathways Out of Poverty—Creating a Poverty Center at LSU

August 22, 2007 — In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the eyes of the nation focused on the extreme poverty conditions in Louisiana. Pictures of children and elderly individuals stranded on interstates without food or water, or abandoned at the Convention Center, brought home the plight of many of Louisiana’s citizens.

The issues surrounding poverty in Louisiana did not begin when the levees collapsed. Sadly, poverty is all-too-common characteristic of life in our state, and statistics reflect the dire needs of so many Louisianans, impacted by years of disadvantage. Twenty-eight percent of Louisiana’s children live in poverty; 42 percent live in families where no parent has full-time year-round employment, and many impoverished children live in crowded homes without phones, vehicles or well-educated parents.

In light of these facts, LSU’s School of Social Work is leading an effort to create a Poverty Center at LSU. The Center would focus on research, and design action-oriented strategies to alleviate poverty. Through the Center, LSU can create programs to develop the capacity of individuals, correct social injustices, and show residents how to improve their schools and communities.

“A child may grow up with poor nutrition, leading to poor brain development, leading to poor educational attainment, leading to a weak labor force attachment in adulthood, leading to another family mired in poverty,” said Pam Monroe, professor, LSU School of Social Work. “LSU is in a prime position to assume a national leadership role in poverty research. Policies and practices could be developed to stop the vicious cycle and lead people out of poverty.”

More than, 50 LSU researchers, across departments and disciplines, are willing to commit to an expansion of existing poverty research projects under the umbrella of a Poverty Center. This interdisciplinary group, regionally and nationally recognized as experts, has already produced a strong body of poverty research.

The pathways out of poverty are within reach. With funding, The LSU Poverty Center will create pilot projects with community partners designed to have an immediate impact for children living in poverty. Funds would also provide graduate fellowships for Ph.D. students to assist research efforts, and create the next generation of scholars in the area of poverty.

Forever LSU thanks you for your continued financial support of LSU students, faculty and programs. If you are interested in supporting The LSU Poverty Center, please contact Tammy Abshire at 225-578-1106 or tvabshire@lsu.edu. Our goal is to raise $750 million by 2010. Please visit www.foreverlsu.org for more information on how we're progressing and how every Tiger can help.