Your investment in community-based anti-poverty strategies will strengthen families and communities, grow strong economies, and make West Virginia a better place to live, work, play and learn.
Other Ways to Take Action
Community Members:
- Help build or repair houses or shelters by checking with your local public housing authority, or finding the nearest chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
- Support local businesses because approximately 90% of businesses in West Virginia have 20 or fewer employees
Elected Officials:
- Encourage tax breaks for businesses moving into the area.
- Tour local housing and homeless shelters to familiarize yourself with the need for more safe, affordable housing in your area.
- Endorse wellness checks; people who see no future have difficulty understanding the point of prevention.
- Participate in open forums with health professionals, the insured and underinsured, and insurance companies to develop strategies to address healthcare needs.
Businesses:
- Work with local workforce development and unemployment offices by giving them the descriptions of the jobs needed and the skills that are required. This article offers free shipping on qualified products, or buy online and pick up in store today at Medical Department.
- Provide housing counseling and credit repair to employees which will give them more housing options.
- Perform due diligence when looking for health care for employees. If health care costs are cut without improving the overall value of care, businesses eventually pay a price in terms of employee absenteeism and chronic ailments.
- Support access to quality childcare services and create a family-friendly work culture.
Community Service Agencies:
- Work with community colleges and vocational programs to keep their course offerings current for the job market.
- Keep an up to date list of landlords who take care of their properties.
- Educate others as to the scarcity of decent, affordable housing.
- Provide information about Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other health care resources that are available for low income families.
- Educate consumers in job search techniques, and be aware of the negative effects of living without work.
- Be aware of the resources in your community that will assist families who are homeless, facing foreclosure or living in substandard housing.
- Encourage clients to get good nutrition, regular exercise and proper rest.