Project Seven Instructions

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Making Ends Meet

Tackling Women's Poverty

(Approx 500 words)

Fifteen percent of American women live in poverty, and 1 out of every 4 children lives in poverty in this country. And while those statistics may seem shocking, they do little to convey the daily struggle for existence that these women and children endure. Why are so many women and children living in poverty? How might this situation increase women's vulnerability and make them more susceptible to other risks?

Group Project: Below you will find directions for an exercise on budgeting and poverty. Given the constraints presented, come up with a budget that allows for food, housing, childcare and other expenses. Were you able to cover your expenses? How would you handle transportation costs, childcare for your other child during the summer, and other miscellaneous expenses? How much would you need to be making to have to come out in the black?

Scenario:

You are a single woman with 2 children, one of whom is in elementary school and one who is a toddler. You have just arrived in glamorous State College- hooray!

EMPLOYMENT:

Okay, now that you're here, you have to find a new job in State College. A quick glance at the Classified Ads in the Centre Daily Times yields a job opening at good old McDonalds. Assume that 'you're lovin it' and you get the job. It pays minimum wage- $5.15/hour. Calculate your weekly and monthly salary.

CHILDCARE:

You are notified that you qualify for childcare assistance from the County Assistance Office. Your co-pay is $55/week.

HOUSING:

You qualify for a Federal Housing Subsidy. This subsidy will pay for approximately 1/3 of your housing cost. You are responsible for the remaining housing costs. You find the perfect 2 bedroom apartment near your new job and your childcare facility. Your rent is $500 and includes electricity. Cool! Calculate your housing costs.

UTILITIES:

You are responsible for paying your phone bill ($40) and your cable bill ($25) if you decide to have a television. You also have a credit card that you use in emergencies and you need to pay the monthly balance on that account ($40). Calculate your monthly bills and develop your budget.

FOOD:

You qualify for the Federal Food Stamps Program. The average Food Stamp contribution is $0.78 per meal. Your food stamp budget pays for $16.83 of your food budget per week, or $65.52 per month. Additional expenses are your responsibility. Calculate your approximate food budget for your family and figure out your portion of the bill.

OVERALL

What is your budget? What are your income and expenses? What costs are not accounted for in this budget?

As a group:

  • Post your budget and brief summary.
  • Post a comment on the relationship between poverty and domestic violence.
  • Post a comment making policy recommendations that could rectify this situation.

Logistics: Publish your budget and comments on the course website by NOON on Friday.

•  Select Post Project Blog from the left menu

•  Title: Group #

•  Course Project: Project Seven

•  Copy and Paste or type your project into the text window

•  Click Preview to review your project

•  Click Submit to turn in your project

NOTICE: You will not be able to see your project until after NOON, when all of the other projects have been submitted.

Class Poll: Once the projects have been published, read the budgets and reflections of the other groups. Decide which group generated the most thoughtful responses to their budgetary situation and to the larger question of women, poverty, and vulnerability. Visit the Class Poll section of the website and record your vote for the most successful group. The winning group will be awarded extra credit.