WNC Poverty: Hidden in plain sight
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With support from the Marguerite Casey Foundation's Equal Voice Journalism Fellowship, I spent a year researching and reporting on poverty in Western North Carolina for the USAToday Network and its affiliate, the Asheville Citizen-Times. The 4-part multimedia series, "WNC Poverty: Hidden in plain sight," was published in print and online in 2016. It was later recognized by the North Carolina Press Association, as well as the nonprofit, OpenDoors of Asheville. Photographer Angeli Wright and editor Brian Ponder also contributed greatly to the project.
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WNC poverty: Hidden in plain sight
Eric Howell holds painful memories of his futile treks up and down Asheville's thoroughfares looking for work. He pleaded with hiring managers at fast-food restaurants, grocery chains and retail stores. He said he was a hard worker, that he had children to feed and that he just wanted a paycheck in exchange for a day of labor. Even staffing agencies turned him away. Continue reading here at Citizen-Times.com. |
WNC Poverty: A look behind the numbers
Regional economist Tom Tveidt was a bit befuddled when he saw poverty numbers rise in Western North Carolina's metro area despite drops elsewhere. Those who work with the poor day in and day out, however, weren't as surprised. Nearly 17 percent of the population in Asheville lived in poverty in 2015, a 32 percent gain from the previous year, despite drops statewide and nationally. Continue reading here at Citizen-Times.com |
People & Poverty
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Habitual felon and former drug addict's quest for peace
John Helms lets out a short sigh when asked if he has found stability in his life. Shelter director escaped poverty through education, discipline Growing up, everyone Micheal Woods knew was poor. Health setbacks deepened poverty for aspiring chef Keedrick Jiles doesn't need much. The three-bedroom apartment on Livingston Street he shares with his girlfriend and their four kids is sparse. Dreams of a better life prompted move to the U.S. Carmen Calderón Govea wanted more than life in Mexico City and work at her family's juice stand. |
Included with the series were daily profiles of people impacted by poverty. These are their stories.
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Failed marriage helped derail plans for comfortable life
Rebecca Kingston once felt safe in the belief she would live as her parents did. A business dream led to nightmare for an aspiring restaurateur Cass Kunst moved his family to Asheville with a dollar and a dream. He lost both. Addiction, mental health problems led to homelessness Michelle Huskins doesn't have a home. She spends each night on a cot in a church. Teenage pregnancy thwarted college plans When Kwana Bailey walked across the stage at her high school graduation pregnant, she didn't know how she was ever going to get ahead. |
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WNC poverty: Child poverty ensnares the most vulnerable
When a tree fell in July and destroyed her family’s mobile home in Leicester, Kwana Bailey considered giving up. Perhaps it was time to throw in the towel, the mother of six wondered. Maybe she should take her kids and camp out in front of social services until someone came to their aid. Her landlord was refusing to fix the property, and being homeless for the second time was a setback she wasn’t sure she could handle. Continue reading here at Citizen-Times.Com. 
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WNC poverty: Stronger safety net requires action, compassion
It’s 8 o’clock in the morning on the first Monday of October. The weather has just started to turn and the line for emergency assistance at Eblen Charities has flowed from the waiting room into the hallway. One by one, families check to see whether they qualify for the program, which offers up to $450 in utility relief for people in crisis. Continue reading here at Citizen-Times.Com. 
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