Advocacy

One of the goals of Catholic Charities is to reduce poverty by 50% by 2020.  Mindful of this goal, the following data are highlighted from the American Community Survey and the 2010 census.  (The American Community Survey is an annual project of the U.S. Census Bureau.)

• 15.3% of Missourians have incomes below the poverty level.  (The poverty level for 2011 is $22,350 for a family of four, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

• 17.5% of Missouri families with children have incomes below the poverty level.

• When children are under age 5, the poverty rate rises to 21.6%.

• In families headed by a single female with children under age 5, the rate reaches 48.2%.

• The median income for a full time, year round female worker in Missouri is nearly $10,000 less than for her male counterpart.

• 15.3% of Missourians in the labor force have no health insurance.

• 27.8% of Missouri households have incomes below $25,000, while 15.2% have incomes above $100,000.

The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) is the public policy agency of the Missouri Catholic bishops. It advocates in the state capitol and in Washington, D.C. The MCC does not endorse candidates or engage in political campaigns. Its focus is on legislative advocacy.

Click here to go to the MCC’s website or email them at mocatholic [@] mocatholic.org.