JAMESTOWN – Chautauqua County has a poverty rate of nearly 20 percent, making it the seventh highest among New York’s 64 counties. In addition to 1 out of every 5 county residents being at or below the poverty rate, a recent report also shows Chautauqua County having 31.7 percent of children under the age of 18 living in poverty.
The alarming statistics has not gone unnoticed by community leaders, who’ve scheduled a seminar later this month to tackle the issue.
The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is partnering with several local organizations and county officials to bring a nationally recognized workshop, known as “Bridges Out Of Poverty,” to Jamestown. The workshop is part of a community support program, providing assistance to employers, community organizations, social-service agencies and individuals to reduce poverty in a comprehensive way.
It will be held April 23 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theatre. The price is $10 per person, and a lunch will be included.
In addition to the workshop, a free community forum on poverty will also take place April 23 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Darrah Hall of Christ First United Methodist Church (663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown). For more details regarding the evening forum, call 664-5803.
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