The term ‘poverty’ is used often but rarely defined.   One of the most important lessons I hope students in my Urban Poverty and Policy  Class take with them is an understanding of how their personal beliefs and values shape the way they view poverty.

One tool I use to get students to think about poverty from the perspective of people who live it, is by sharing Joe’s Story with them.  “Joe” (not his real name) describes what life in poverty is like for him. Joe is in a situation that requires him to rely on the  generosity of others to survive.  Living in poverty, says Joe, is to “have no choices…I  hate having no choices”.

Joe’s story is a great way to get students to think about poverty in a different way.  To think about what it would be like to have to rely on charity each and every day.  To begin to understand the limitations of charity and the damaging effects that poverty has on a persons sense of self.  To begin to see poverty as a structural problem that cannot be solved by charity.

I met the man who has come to be known by my students as “Joe” after receiving a telephone call from him in the summer of 2009.  He found my contact information after reading a newspaper article that I was quoted in.  The article was about the shortage of safe and affordable housing for people living in poverty in our city.

Joe called to tell me his housing story.  Every once in awhile I get calls like this.  I feel terrible when I receive them because there really isn’t anything I can do except listen or refer them to various service organizations or government representatives.  I hate that it must seem to them like I am yet one more person passing them off to someone else.

I had quite a long conversation with Joe.  He was very articulate about his situation and had a solid analysis.  It led me to think that if he was willing, it would be useful to tell his story.  Joe was familiar with the “fast facts’ series that the CCPA produced.  Often these commentaries are picked up by the Winnipeg Free Press – the primary local print media.

So, I made the suggestion that he tell his story in a ‘fast facts’.   He said that he wasn’t much of  a writer.  “No problem” I said “I can help you with that”.  And to ensure his privacy I suggested we could refer to him as “Joe”.  He liked that idea.

A few days later Joe dropped by my office with his notes.  We worked together to type them up.  He ensured that I accurately captured the details he wanted to share.  We sent it out to CCPAs many ‘fast facts’ subscribers and the Winnipeg Free Press published it as well.  Joe was delighted.  He said it felt good to tell his story.

Joe kept me informed over the following months as he tried to find affordable accommodations.  He dropped by one day, thrilled to report that he had been accepted into public housing.  He would finally have a safe and affordable place to live.

I’ve seen Joe many times since then.  Not as much lately since i’ve relocated to the University of Winnipeg, but he continued to visit me every few months at CCPA, updating me on the events of his life.   While Joe continues to live in poverty,  life is better.  Stable housing has made a difference.

I decided to share this story in this post as a way of thanking Joe for sharing his story with me.  Joe doesn’t know that he has made a huge contribution to my student’s education.  I’ve never told him that and I should.

A note to self for the next time that we meet.