Transforming the University through Community Engagement

The universal belief that poverty is a matter of low income and correctable through economic growth, more jobs, and increased income is precisely why poverty has persisted in the United States and elsewhere. We view the poor as those not yet in the middle class, but it can be shown that not all the poor can join the middle class, even in the richest country in the world. Through a project titled Rethinking Urban Poverty: Philadelphia Field Project, students and faculty at Pennsylvania State University, working together with community residents, have launched an effort to improve the quality of life in West Philadelphia. Traditionally, issues of poverty were dealt with through state welfare programs and corporate jobs. In contrast, the Penn State approach emphasizes the household economy, focusing on improving quality of life, reducing the cost of living, and creating jobs that cater to the everyday needs of household members. [author]