To wrap up today's event at the Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia about issues of poverty and prosperity in Philadelphia, each of the break-out groups are going to share one idea that they found exciting, interesting or novel.
First suggestion from an audience member: "Shoot all politicians." Perhaps not the best way to start off.
So, seriously:
1. Create social networks or foster those that already exist. Neighborhood stability and trust of one's neighbor is also important. The Mayor's Office could help various groups within the neighborhoods.
2. Funding needs to be provided for a commission on poverty. Having a commission is important, but it must be adequately funded.
3. Look at what New York is doing as far as Cash Transfers for individuals, perhaps the same could be done at the community group level.
4. Find a better medium of exchange than cash: There's work to do and people who want to do it, but cash isn't always available. How else could they be reimbursed?
5. What does diversity mean for the common goals of the community? How do we bridge those gaps? Creating ways for people to come together based on common issues, such as immigration.
6. Identify possible programs, like Habit for Humanity a version of which could be done at a local level. Maybe government community partnerships, too. A common theme is reinvesting in communities.
7. At the end of every year at the Pennsylvania State University main campus in State College, students run a flea market for things that they might have just gotten rid of. That kind of event could bring in money to go toward helping communities.
All of the ideas from the small groups has been recorded, and the information will be posted on the Great Expectations Web site, greatexpectations07.com. This information will eventually be presented to the city's next mayor.
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