Niagara Poverty Reduction Network Position Statement: Building Belonging to Wipe-Out Poverty
Purpose
This position statement highlights how building belonging is vital to ending poverty and aligns with the work of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network, Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy, and the Community Safety and Well-being Plan.
Guided by Tamarack, a Canadian Institute focused on enabling positive community change, this statement can support implementation efforts and facilitate consistent messaging about the impact that belonging can have on poverty.
Why
The healthiest and happiest communities are those where people feel connected to others. These connections are crucial to our well-being; people who are lonely are more likely to be in the top five percent of health care users.[i]
There is a strong connection between poverty and isolation. In Niagara, many people, especially those living in poverty, feel socially isolated. During community engagement for Niagara’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, residents named stigma as one of the most significant poverty related issue. Lived experts provided these insights:[ii]
“I used to live a good life, and now I don’t feel like a human…When you’re down, everyone wants to kick you. I now know what that saying means, it’s a never-ending cycle.”
“People look at you like you are worthless”
“Poverty feels totally isolating”.
“Stigma keeps people from asking for help or reaching out. You’re worried about what people will think and how they’ll react.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada confirms, “Stigma … keeps people away from the resources they need to live a healthy life, such as having housing, an income, and accessible health services”[iii]
Belonging is crucial in fighting poverty. Connected communities facilitate better access to resources and opportunities, leading to healthier, more resilient lives.
- Strong community bonds reduce isolation and stigma, and open doors to education, better jobs and financial stability
- Inclusive environments help people break free from poverty
- Good social connections improve well-being, lower healthcare costs and increased life expectancy
“Belonging is as a subjective feeling of connection to places, people, and collective experiences. It is the fundamental human need to be in relationship with others, to be known, noticed, and missed. More than a concept, belonging is a practice requiring intentional action at the individual, community, and systems levels.” – Tamarack Institute
What We’ll Do
To build belonging, the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network will:
- Educate and raise awareness of poverty-related issues
- Change mindsets to reduce stigma attached to living in poverty
- Elevate voices of lived experts to deepen understanding of isolation’s impact on poverty
- Advocate for income solutions to poverty
How We’ll Do It
We will enhance cross-sector collaborations to address belonging at a systems level, fostering inter-agency partnerships and aligning policies to tackle structural inequalities, ultimately creating inclusive and supportive environments that significantly impact poverty
We will use social media, forums and presentations to raise local awareness of income solutions to poverty.
We will meet with community groups, share stories from lived experts and identify ways to support each other and build on local assets that can help wipe-out poverty.
By focusing on Niagara’s assets, we’ll bolster existing efforts to enhance community connectedness and work together to address challenges.
“When we recognize and share our gifts, we grow relationships. When we acknowledge other’s talents and create opportunities for lived experts to shine, we foster an environment where mutual responsibility and inspiration flourish.” Jennifer Gauthier, Chair, Niagara Poverty Reduction Network
Who We’ll Do It With
A future of belonging for all requires collaboration among governments, businesses, and community organizations and community members. By elevating the voices of lived experts, we can increase their influence on solutions that are grounded in local experiences and needs.
How We’ll Know We Made a Difference
We’ll track improvements in mental health, civic participation, and essential needs like housing and food security to measure our success. These metrics underscore how belonging is a crucial component of well-being.
Call to Action
- Email info@wipeoutpoverty.ca to embark on this journey with us. Together, let’s build an inclusive Niagara where everyone feels a sense of belonging and hope.
- Join a growing national movement – sign the pledge to support the work of co-creating a Canada-wide Strategy for Belonging — Communities Building Belonging | National Strategy for Belonging https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/national-strategy-for-belonging#join-us
- Dive into our reading list to learn more about building belonging: <<To be added>>
[i] Williams, D. D. (2019). Connected community healthier together. Ontario Ministry of Health.
[ii] Niagara Region Community Services (2023). Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy. Phase 1: Identifying local priorities – Interim report on community engagement. Thorold, Ontario. https://niagararegion.ca/community-safety/poverty-reduction-strategy/pdf/interim-report-community-engagement.pdf
[iii] Public Health Agency of Canada (2019). Addressing Stigma: Towards a More Inclusive Health System. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/corporate/publications/chief-public-health-officer-reports-state-public-health-canada/addressing-stigma-toward-more-inclusive-health-system.html.
