November 10, 2008

Board Approves Resolution Supporting Cutting Poverty in Half

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, by unanimous consent, has approved a resolution of support for “Cutting Poverty in Half by 2017.” The Loudoun Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB) approved the goal of “Cutting Poverty in Half by 2017” in June and proposed that the Board adopt the resolution of support. Loudoun County is one of the first counties in the country to adopt a goal of this nature.

“We are very pleased to have the support of the Board of Supervisors as we work towards cutting poverty in Loudoun County. The worsening economic climate makes our job both harder and more urgent. The support of our local government leaders is very important to us,” said CAAB Chairman Bill Druhan.

“Part of the mission of the Community Action Agency is to help people move from poverty to self-sufficiency,” said Robert Chirles, Department of Family Services. “The Loudoun CAAB has been very active in pursuing this mission through work on the goals identified at last year’s Poverty Symposium.  Reducing poverty by 50% in ten years will require a commitment from the entire community, including faith-based organizations, businesses, non-profit and government agencies.”

Last year, the CAAB sponsored two events, a Poverty Simulation and a Symposium on Poverty. A report of the symposium was released in January 2008 and included eight specific issue areas related to poverty with goals and action steps associated with each issue area.

The poverty symposium report is available online through the county government website at www.loudoun.gov/poverty-report. For more information call 703-771-5855.

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Contact: Susan Jane Stack, Department of Family Services, 703-771-5855