Global Scale Problem:

Across the globe, in 2022, 9.2% of the world’s population are currently living below the poverty line (on less than $1.90 per day).

Outcomes:

Students will learn about issues related to poverty. This can cover a range of problems people are facing including access to housing, medical care, employment, and food. The United Nations has named no poverty as one of its Sustainable Development Goals. Specific areas of AWE-aligned focus include:

Week 1

Journal Reflections

Today, the students defined poverty and discussed what it means to different people. They were also introduced to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. At the end of the day, they had the opportunity to self-reflect in their journals about their introduction to poverty.

Grocery Store Budgeting Exercise

The seventh grade Co.Lab students participated in an activity which simulated family structures with various financial constraints. They were tasked with creating a shopping list for a weekly grocery run for a family with specific budget limitations. The activity required students to collaboratively think about how to maximize their assigned budget and family size, and recognize the challenges of specific dietary, health, and financial situations. Students looked online and created shopping lists to meal-plan for a week, and then went to several local grocery stores to check the accuracy of their work and make adjustments based on prices they encountered.

True Cost of Living

In the seventh grade Co.Lab, students have been discussing what it means to live with dignity and what the cost of living is in NYC. As part of their final project, they will be presenting proposals to Councilman Erik Bottcher to consider for his cost of living legislation. Students reviewed the most recent mid-term election ballot and some of the responses to this proposal. Then, the students voted on the proposal themselves.

Week 2

Guest Speaker: Steve Fanto

On Wednesday, January 18, the students heard from Steve Fanto, the Volunteer and Outreach Manager at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. The organization provides soup kitchen and pantry services for the local Chelsea community. Steve spoke to the students about what the organization does and how they can also help people in poverty. They discussed what resources one needs to afford a "dignified life" in NYC. Next week, the group will visit the soup kitchen and help make lunches for those in need.

Organization Spotlights

Over the course of J-Term, the seventh grade Co.Lab students have each conducted research in small groups about a different organization. The organizations chosen all serve people in poverty in different ways. Each group will take a turn presenting to the grade and educating their peers about the organization. Some of the chosen spotlight organizations include:

Coalition for the Homeless
Children's Scholarship Fund
ONE Campaign
Foodbank of NYC
Art From the Streets

Click here to explore the students spotlight organizations!

Robin Hood Foundation Speakers

On Thursday, January 19, Giselle Henriquez, Marianne Macrae and Margaret Schilling from the Robin Hood foundation came and spoke with the seventh grade students. The Robin Hood Foundation is a charitable organization which attempts to alleviate problems caused by poverty in New York City. They spoke to students about how they address the main issues people in poverty face including food, housing, education, legal services, and workforce development. The guests also reviewed the final presentations students prepared for Councilman Erik Bottcher to consider for his cost of living legislation

Week 3

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen

On Tuesday, January 24, the seventh grade Co.Lab students visited the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. Building upon their visit from last week, the students were able to tour the facility and get a better sense of the day to day operations. Before visiting, the students helped to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that will be distributed by the organization to community members in poverty around Penn Station.

Tenement Museum Field Trip

On Wednesday, January 25, students visited The Tenement Museum to explore how immigrant women coped with economic hardship through the stories of Natalie Gumpertz and Mrs. Wong. They heard how these two women, living a century apart, shared similar struggles, hopes, and survival strategies as they made new lives while working in New York City’s garment industry.

Councilman Erik Bottcher

Students formed small groups of action teams who created presentations for District 3 NY Council Representative, Erik Bottcher. Representative Bottcher’s District includes Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and the West Village. Bottcher is involved in the “True Cost of Living' initiative to measure the actual cost of living in New York City. City officials have said that the 'true cost of living' should include more than just the bare minimum. It should include what it costs to live a full life, with dignity.

Students created proposals for Erik Bottcher about what it means to live with dignity, and what resources all NYC residents need access to in order to live a 'dignified life'. On Friday, January 27, student representatives from the Co.Lab had the opportunity to present their proposal in front of Erik Bottcher.

Final Presentations Showcase

On Friday, January 27, the seventh graders had the opportunity to show parents the presentations they have been preparing for the past couple of weeks. Take a look at the program and photos from the event below!