The Fight to End Poverty Takes the Stage at Harper Joy

How to End Poverty in Ninety Minutes (With 99 People You May or May Not Know), conceived by the Sojourn Theatre, takes the stage at Whitman College.  This performance – described as “not a play” but a “container for dialogue” – seeks to engage audience members in a discussion of poverty at the local and national level.  Audiences are tasked with voting how to invest $1000 in the approach that will most effectively bring an end to poverty in Walla Walla. The show has been performed before, requiring an update to the script every time it arrives in a new community. Previous productions took place at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Northwestern in Chicago, Illinois; Portland Playhouse, Oregon; and Big Sky, Montana.  How To End Poverty will be presented in English and Spanish, in order to serve the greater Walla Walla community.  Any night the show is presented, there will be moments of translation (both from Spanish to English and vice versa).

Writers, actors, and other students have worked many hours to research and include important issues and themes relevant to Walla Walla to give the show a sense of pedestrian locality.  Some of this research took place at the Whitman College and Northwest Archives where students in Professor Jenna Terry’s Composition classes explored the history of poverty in Walla Walla.  Research not only fueled conversations, but found its way into monologues and scenes of the show. Other research focused on the present with cast members attending community meetings and inviting local poverty experts to rehearsals.  Local poverty experts will appear in live cameos during the shows, in order to complicate and fuel the discussion on poverty within the 90 minutes the show allows.

Here’s a recap from some of the individuals who spoke and helped provide the background that shaped the script:

  • Jeff Matthias; Matthias is the Food Bank Director of the Blue Mountain Action Council, an organization that focuses on problems of poverty within the Blue Mountain Region of Washington.  He elaborated on the complex process of attaining food from one of the many food pantries in Walla Walla can sometimes hold.  The city requires a food card, which must be renewed every month.  Food pantry hours and transportation to and from the pantry can be challenging for some. Matthias also discussed backpack programs–or programs that give children meals at school and food to take home for the weekend.  Over 5,000 Walla Walla public school kids are currently eligible for free and reduced lunch program.
  • Danielle Garbe; Garbe works with the Sherwood Trust in Walla Walla, allocating funds to organizations/individuals as the Trust sees fit.  This includes existing charity organizations within Walla Walla, supporting students internships with local nonprofits, and other endeavors that the Trust deems an “effective way [of] giving money.”  Garbe also pointed to facts broadcasted by the Walla Walla Community Council: residents of the Blue Mountain Region find themselves in economic hardship more frequently and more severely than the residents of other parts of Washington and that this economic hardship centers in the Latino community near downtown Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater.
  • Dr. Harvey Crowder; Crowder works in the health department in Walla Walla, as the director. He sees many low-income clients within the department, whether it be mothers looking to ensure their babies’ health or individuals with special needs who are attempting to find care fit for their situations.  Crowder noted that funding, help with navigating the system, and care about environmental health hazards all have gone down considerably. Currently 18% of individuals in Walla Walla live below the poverty line.
  • Joe Fields; Fields works at the STAR program, with inamtes in and being released from the penitentiary.  He is a housing coordinator within the program.  Fields shared that individuals released from the prison leave the penitentiary with a white t-shirt, khakis and $40 in cash. The STAR program assists these individuals with finding lodging, jobs, and other necessities within society with resources that they do not readily have available.  Importantly, Fields finds that most people who express that they’re willing to give a second chance suddenly redact their statements when the STAR project looks into helping an individual integrate into society near their homes.
  • Noah Leavitt; Leavitt, the Associate Dean for Student Engagement at Whitman, has a background in law, working in public policy, and community organizing. He is active with the Interfaith Coalition on Poverty here in Walla Walla,  Leavitt drew attention to the work of many individual organizations in Walla Walla and expressed that the community has an openness to ideas and adapting for the community, collaboration as a community, and a strong sense of charitable actions.  Leavitt, however, also pointed out the capacity that our community has to improve, citing the lack of communication between the white community and the Latino community.
  • Sergio Hernandez; Hernandez, a retired superintendent of Eastern Washington, now runs the INK-OUT program in Walla Walla.  This program offered through the Health Center, allows ex-gang members who want to disassociate with the gang by removing tattoos.  These tattoo removals do require, however, some commitment from the person wanting the removal.  All applicants are required to complete 25 hours of community service and select a mentor to help them on their journey. The creation of the INK-OUT program, Hernandez explained, followed the model of a short term solution intending to have long term effects.

To finish off this update, here’s one of the artifact projects from one of Professor Jenna Terry’s students, who studied the labor camps that many farm workers still live in today.  This story will appear in the preshow, alongside six other stories in the Listening Booth.  Without any further ado, this is “The Not-So American Dream” by Liezel Lenhart.

How To End Poverty opens on April 13th and runs through the 18th.  Tickets are on sale now!  Adults are $12, non-Whitman students and seniors are $8, and Whitties are FREE! HJT box office: 509 527-5180. Come have a conversation with us!

Ben Caldwell, Megan Gleason and Shireen Nori rehearse for the scene: The History of Poverty and Policy in America in under 4 minutes.
Ben Caldwell, Megan Gleason and Shireen Nori rehearse the scene: The History of Poverty and Policy in America in under 4 minutes.

238 comments

  1. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with
    SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Many thanks!
    You can read similar text here: Eco blankets

  2. sugar defender I’ve dealt with blood glucose changes for several
    years, and it actually affected my energy degrees throughout the day.
    Given that beginning Sugar Defender, I really feel extra balanced and alert, and I don’t
    experience those mid-day plunges any longer! I love that
    it’s a natural service that functions without any extreme side effects.
    It’s genuinely been a game-changer for me

  3. This is the perfect blog for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been discussed for many years. Great stuff, just great.

  4. I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  5. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people don’t speak about these subjects. To the next! Kind regards.

  6. I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your site content. This content has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your internet site and maintain checking for first time details.

  7. But talent does not make up for a matrix management structure (wherein resources in a division or pool are “lent out” to a venture till they are not wanted anymore) ill-suited to the game business, and it does not make up for being off-site.

  8. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  9. Violet Herpafend is a dietary supplement designed to help manage herpes symptoms.

    It boosts the immune system and minimizes the number
    of outbreaks. Containing ingredients like elderberry extract,
    echinacea extract, and L-lysine compound, Herpafend promotes wellness.

    Made in America in an FDA-certified facility, Herpafend maintains
    premium standards. It is non-GMO and gluten-free. People mention a reduction in outbreak frequency and severity.

    Experience Herpafend and see the difference in your symptom control.

  10. As such, if a person unrelated to the vendor that gives no providers to the partnership purchases an API, any achieve allocated to the API would nonetheless be topic to Part 1061.

  11. If Sarah does not pay her bank card steadiness in full, she is going to find yourself paying important interest on her burrito that she could have paid cash for.

  12. Ding had been unable to play all through a lot of the COVID-19 pandemic, nevertheless, and had to play a number of hastily arranged matches to reach the minimum FIDE activity requirements to safe his place in the tournament.

  13. Tie breakers for non-first place: (1) results in tie-break video games for first place, if any; (2) Sonneborn-Berger score (SB); (3) total number of wins; (4) head-to-head score amongst tied players; (5) drawing of lots.

  14. TTA presents one of the best occasion management courses to ensure students study every little side of event management, thereby building profitable event administration careers.

  15. As stated by the SEC, a “fidelity bond .. aims to protect its holder against certain types of losses, including but not limited to those caused by malfeasance of the holder’s officers and employees, and the effect of such losses on the holder’s capital”.

  16. Candidates sit a two hour competency based exam, and require a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Risk Management together with a year’s appropriate experience (or more with other qualifications); certificants are then required to uphold a Code of Ethics and meet continuing education requirements in order to maintain the certification.

  17. Cost within the form of the acquiring company’s stock, issued to the shareholders of the acquired firm at a given ratio proportional to the valuation of the latter.

  18. First, gas dryers require a gasoline line connection; if you don’t have already got one, you’re in all probability out of luck, since they’re harmful and costly to put in in an occupied residence.

  19. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx.

  20. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t discuss these topics. To the next! Cheers!

  21. I’m extremely pleased to discover this website. I want to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every part of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new things on your web site.

  22. Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from
    an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.

    I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where
    to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
    Thank you

  23. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more on this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but typically folks don’t discuss such issues. To the next! All the best.

  24. Good blog you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  25. I blog frequently and I genuinely appreciate your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I will take a note of your site and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  26. You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

  27. Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe this website needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the advice!

  28. After looking over a few of the blog posts on your website, I truly like your way of writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site as well and let me know how you feel.

  29. Hi! I just wish to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you have here on this post. I am coming back to your web site for more soon.

  30. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉

  31. Right here is the right webpage for anybody who wants to understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject that’s been written about for ages. Great stuff, just great.

  32. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t fail me just as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I actually thought you’d have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.

  33. Right here is the right web site for everyone who would like to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a topic that has been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent.

  34. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  35. You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

  36. I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  37. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  38. I’m very pleased to uncover this web site. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you saved to fav to check out new information in your site.

  39. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else having identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  40. It’s hard to find well-informed people about this topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  41. Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.

  42. Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing.

  43. Hi there! This post could not be written much better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

  44. After checking out a handful of the blog posts on your website, I seriously like your technique of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website as well and tell me what you think.

  45. Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes which will make the most important changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!

  46. Having read this I thought it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  47. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  48. Aw, this was an extremely good post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  49. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this subject here on your site.

  50. I seriously love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own website and would love to know where you got this from or what the theme is called. Thanks!

  51. After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Kudos.

  52. Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It’s the little changes that produce the most significant changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!

  53. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins
    to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not
    seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
    Kudos! I saw similar text here: Code of destiny

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *