Hello fellow Renegades:

You were recently invited by our SGA President to attend the Oxfam Hunger Banquet scheduled for this Friday, March 8th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Campus Cafeteria.  I am planning on attending and have been invited to make a few remarks.

The issue they are taking on is Poverty.

We know from our recent economic downturn that many are having financial difficulties to the point of slipping into situational poverty.  Generational poverty continues to impact much of American society – even those who may have escaped poverty economically continue to be adversely affected by having grown up in poverty. It is not just the economic barriers that make poverty persist, but especially the intellectual, emotional and sociological effect that poverty has on those who have that experience.

Society has made many efforts to address poverty with varying success, reflected in a shift from declining rates in the 1970s, to fluctuation in the 1990s, to a more recent rising trend in the early 2000s. Poverty is persistent and requires innovative and lasting solutions.  These are essentials that continue to need to be addressed by many entities in our society, including community colleges with the increasing emphasis on student access, success and equity.

So do come and join us. Please bring a colleague, bring your family, bring your friends to event.

With Renegade Pride and Collegiality,

Sonya

Tagged: Bakersfield College, hunger, poverty, SGA, students