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The Core Issue

We are seeing it everywhere. We can’t even turn on the news without seeing a piece about the price of eggs, or gas, or automobiles. The hard reality is that poverty is intensifying in the United States. Pandemic-era programs like expanded child tax credits and food assistance are expiring, we are experiencing rising inflation, and our leadership is overseeing policy shifts that are resulting in significant economic pressures – most of which disproportionately affect low-income households.

With the rise of inflation, US purchasing power has been eroded and low-income households are being hit hardest. Over the last five years it has become increasingly harder to cover basic essentials like housing, food, medication, and utilities. All the while, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25, despite the value of those dollars experiencing a 30 percent decrease over the last 15 years. This means that full time work alone is often insufficient to lift individuals out of poverty. 

Invisible Poverty and Hidden Hardship

A lot of the individuals we help are experiencing invisible poverty. When we say invisible poverty we are referring to people who appear to be getting by on the surface but are silently struggling to meet their basic needs. Many of these individuals have jobs, homes, vehicles, etc. They have all the outward markers of stability, but they live paycheck to paycheck, skip meals to feed their children, and go without medical care because they can’t afford it.

It isn’t uncommon for these people to be overlooked because their struggles don’t fit the stereotypical image of poverty. They are often misunderstood, dismissed, and unseen. This hidden hardship can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and helplessness – and oftentimes they do not seek support from systems that are designed to help them.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

As of 2023, Jefferson County, Alabama, reported a poverty rate of 16.3%, surpassing the national average of 12.4%. Child poverty is notably higher, with 21.5% of residents under 18 living below the poverty line. Shelby County is doing considerably better than Jefferson at a reported poverty rate of 6.92%.  According to data from Alabama Possible, 900K Alabamians currently live in poverty. Chilton county is perhaps the worst of all, with an overall poverty rate of 13.6% and a childhood poverty rate of 22.4%.

The Poverty Experience

But poverty isn’t just a statistic, and the people we serve aren’t numbers on a spreadsheet. Poverty affects every decision that these people make on a daily basis. Basic needs like food, diapers, housing, and healthcare are constant concerns. They experience relentless stress that is often invisible to outsiders, but is always present. It means counting change at the gas station, skipping meals so your children can eat, and dreading the arrival of bills you already know you can’t afford to pay. Even asking for help becomes complicated because they can experience shame and be afraid of judgement.

Take the story of Jasmine, a 27-year-old single mother in Shelby County, Alabama. After escaping an abusive relationship, Jasmine found herself living in a motel with her newborn son, Micah. The cheapest daycare in the area still cost more than her weekly income from a part-time retail job. She wanted to work more hours, but without childcare, it was impossible. Government support programs required in-person appointments during work hours, but her job didn’t offer paid time off. When she finally saved enough to apply for an apartment, she was denied due to a past eviction—one that stemmed from missing rent after unpaid maternity leave. 

Jasmine’s story is far too common. Poverty, especially for parents of young children, is not just about lack of income—it’s about the structural barriers that make escaping hardship nearly impossible. When every solution requires resources you don’t have, the cycle becomes self-perpetuating. Without transportation, you can’t reach the help you need. Without help, you can’t work. Without work, you can’t qualify for housing. And through it all, a child depends on you for everything. It is a heavy, unrelenting burden that millions of Americans carry silently each day.

Poverty is Everyone’s Problem

Poverty is often viewed as an individual misfortune, but in truth, it is a societal issue that affects us all. When large portions of our communities are unable to meet their basic needs (like safe housing, food, healthcare, and education) it strains public systems, increases healthcare costs, and weakens the economy. Poverty contributes to higher crime rates, greater mental and physical health challenges, and lower academic outcomes, which impact the overall well-being and safety of entire neighborhoods, not just those who are directly affected.

When families struggle, children suffer—and those children are the future workforce, leaders, and caretakers of our communities. Generational poverty limits access to opportunities, creating cycles that are difficult to break without intervention. This persistent inequality undermines social stability and economic growth. If we continue to allow poverty to grow unchecked, we risk widening the divide between the haves and have-nots, creating resentment, social unrest, and a diminished sense of collective responsibility.

Addressing poverty is not only an act of compassion—it’s a practical investment in a stronger, healthier society. By ensuring that all people have access to basic resources and opportunities, we reduce the burden on emergency services, increase consumer spending, and foster a more educated, skilled, and productive population. Poverty doesn’t live in a vacuum, it spills over into every aspect of public life. That means fighting poverty isn’t charity – it’s community care, and it’s everyone’s responsibility.

Point of Life’s Promise

At Point of Life Resource Center, we believe that no one should have to choose between feeding their children and keeping the lights on. Our promise to tackle poverty in Jefferson, Shelby, and Chilton counties is rooted in compassion, action, and accountability. We are committed to supporting struggling families with dignity and understanding, recognizing that poverty is not a personal failure but a systemic challenge. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term barriers, we strive to create a community where everyone has the tools and resources to thrive, not just survive.

To fulfill this promise, we are taking direct, impactful steps every day. We provide essential items like diapers, baby formula, clothing, and hygiene products through our donation drives and emergency response programs. Our mental health initiative, The Listener, offers peer-based emotional support and referrals to professional services. We are also developing community-led partnerships and outreach programs to ensure underserved families know they are not alone. Through advocacy, education, and hands-on aid, Point of Life is not just responding to poverty, we are working to dismantle it.

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help Point of Life Resource Center make a lasting impact in our community. Donating essential items like diapers, baby wipes, formula, and hygiene products helps us meet the most urgent needs of families in crisis. Financial contributions, no matter the size, go directly toward our programs and outreach efforts, so every dollar makes a difference. Volunteers are also vital to our mission, whether helping with donation drives, events, or administrative tasks. If you come across a grant opportunity or community resource we might qualify for, sharing it with us could open new doors. And one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support us is by spreading the word – tell your friends, share our posts, and help others discover the work we’re doing. Together, we can lift families up and build a stronger, more compassionate community.