Target Poverty Not People : IMC Worcester

Real Solutions is a group of concerned community members who have come together around the treatment of poor people in Worcester, specifically with the recent “anti-panhandler” campaign and the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) response to social service sighting. This community-based coalition says both of these responses target the people instead of the root causes of poverty and disempowerment.

The group, which has been meeting regularly for the last three months, held an event today to make public their concerns and demand a serious response from the City Manager’s office as well as the taking down of the “Panhandling is Not the Solution” billboards. The next Real Solutions meeting, which is open to anyone sharing the coalition’s concerns, will take on Tuesday, September 20th, at 7pm at Abby’s House, 52 High Street, Worcester.

Mike True of Assumption College spoke first, explaining that it is urgent at this time that we all look at how poor people, panhandlers and social service agencies are being treated in this city. “There are two competing visions regarding progress and development in Worcester.” The first is one that targets poor people and the second is one based on compassion. True suggested we support the latter and address the root causes of the issues. “Our long-term experience in community work of many of us from Real Solutions tells us that we, as a city, could be doing much better than we are doing now,” he added. True recognizes that violence and poverty are complex issues, but asserts that they are the responsibility of all, and the burden should not be placed solely on poor people and social service agencies. If these real problems are addressed with real solutions, True is sure that “we make Worcester a city we are proud of once again.”

Several prominent media outlets were present at the event. This broadly representative community group now expects response from the city government. The call also go out to all Worcester residents to consider these issues seriously and speak out when they see people being mistreated as a result of the climate perpetuated by actions such as the anti-panhandling campaign.

Walter Tilleman, of Pleasant Street Baptist Church, spoke on behalf of many faith leaders who reject the City’s anti-panhandling campaign. “Panhandling is not the problem,” he began, “it is a reminder that individuals are falling through the cracks, that there are real issues, systematic problems that have yet to be addressed.” To show the flaw in the City’s approach, he gave the example of how Jesus touched people as individuals while exposing the problems behind their misery. Telleman explained, “Jesus brought healing to the individual and treated the underlying issues.” If panhandling is hidden, he argues, giving to charities will decrease. Taking it to a larger scale, he said that in New Orleans the problems are seen, but so many problems in Africa remain out of sight. He urges people to “give to panhandlers, but also give to non-profits.”

Worcester resident, Nancy Senior, is especially disturbed by the reactions of West Side homeowners who put out “Site Responsibly” signs on their lawns. “Social service agencies are doing very important work,” she commented. She reminds us that people in residential treatment programs, “can be our sister or brother, let’s not forget that.”

Anne Lewenberg of Worcester Global Action Network made closing comments on behalf of Real Solutions. She pointed out flaws at the conceptual level of the “hide the undesirables” approach. Getting at the economic reasons behind this approach she state, “some feel that there will not be economic development in Worcester until the streets are cleansed of undesirables. We challenge that notion of development. There will be no justice in this city until the poor all are treated with dignity.” She ended by restating the coalition’s demands for the taking down of the anti-panhandling signs and beginning to build a “Compassionate Worcester.”

The following is the Real Solutions vision statement:
“As citizens, social service workers, and religious and community leaders, our vision is one of compassion for everyone in Worcester. ‘Poor people cleansing,’ whether it takes the form of the recent anti-panhandling signs and billboards or of Not In My Back Yard demands to push social service agencies out of the City, means creating an image of Worcester as a “prettier” city by keeping poor people out of sight, mind, and heart. This current climate is being pushed by desire for economic development in the city by officials who claim to want “progress”. But progress is not won through targeting the poorest and most vulnerable in the city; it is not won by declaring “moratoriums”, ongoing attacks against PIP, supporting new community barriers or outright barring of residential programs from some neighborhoods. We envision a Worcester that is compassionate to all, especially those most in need.”

Real Solutions can be contacted at: (508) 561-1164 or by email at: anne@riseup.net