>> Gary Walker: JUST AHEAD ON
"NEED TO KNOW," MOST OF US
THINK OF ROCHESTER AS A
HIGH-TECH AND PROSPEROUS
COMMUNITY, AND IT IS.
BUT IT'S ALSO A CITY WITH
SIZABLE POCKETS OF POVERTY.
>> Elissa Marra: AND IT'S NOT
JUST THE CITY.
IN MONROE COUNTY, ONE IN FIVE
CHILDREN LIVES IN POVERTY.
LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT THE
EFFECTS POVERTY HAS ON OUR
COMMUNITY AND THE WAY IT'S
MEASURED.
>> Gary Walker: TONIGHT, WE'LL
TOUR A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THAT'S TRYING TO GIVE ITS
STUDENTS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD A
SECOND CHANCE AT A HEALTHY
FUTURE.
>> Elissa Marra: AND LATER ON
TONIGHT'S PROFILE, WE'LL TALK
ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE REVEREND
KENNETH FOX.
>> Gary Walker: THAT'S ALL
AHEAD ON "NEED TO KNOW."
>> THIS IS "NEED TO KNOW," THE
ROCHESTER AREA'S ONLY IN-DEPTH
NEWS PROGRAM.
"NEED TO KNOW" IS A PRODUCTION
OF WXXI NEWS AND PUBLIC
AFFAIRS, COVERING ISSUES,
POLITICS, EDUCATION AND
CURRENT EVENTS.
>> "NEED TO KNOW" IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE DAISY MARQUIS
JONES FOUNDATION, BY DORSCHEL
LEXUS, AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT
OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
>> NOW FROM WXXI PUBLIC
BROADCASTING, HERE ARE GARY
WALKER AND ELISSA MARRA.
>> Elissa Marra: GOOD EVENING
AND THANKS FOR JOINING US
TONIGHT.
FOR ALL OF OUR PROSPERITY AND
PROGRESS, ROCHESTER STILL
FINDS ITSELF RANKED 13 IN THE
NATION FOR THE NUMBER OF
CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY.
TONIGHT, "NEED TO KNOW"
CONTINUES ITS REPORT WITH A
LOOK AT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO
ADDRESS CHILD POVERTY,
INCLUDING THE WORKING POOR.
AND THERE ARE ANSWERS.
CONGRESSWOMAN LOUISE SLAUGHTER
WAS IN ROCHESTER OVER THE
HOLIDAYS TALKING ABOUT ONE
PROGRAM SET UP SPECIFICALLY
FOR THOSE IN NEED.
GOVERNMENT STUDIES INDICATE
PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE
FOR FOOD STAMPS MIGHT NOT BE
GETTING THEM, AND SLAUGHTER IS
PUBLICIZING AN AWARENESS
CAMPAIGN TO GET FOOD STAMPS TO
THOSE WHO NEED THEM.
>> THIS EFFORT THAT WE HAVE
STARTED WILL TARGET THE THREE
GROUPS MOST UNDERREPRESENTED
AMONG THE FOOD STAMP
RECIPIENTS: THE WORKING POOR,
THE ELDERLY, AND ILLEGAL
IMMIGRANTS.
AND I STRONGLY URGE EVERY
INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE
FOR FOOD STAMPS TO APPLY.
>> Elissa Marra: ONE OTHER
LOCAL AGENCY, FOOD LINK, SAYS
THAT 75% OF KIDS IN THE
ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR
REDUCED-PRICE MEALS.
BUT STATISTICS SHOW THAT
POVERTY IS NOT JUST AN URBAN
PROBLEM; IT'S ALSO A SUBURBAN
PROBLEM.
THE LATEST U.S. CENSUS FIGURES
FOR THIS AREA SHOW 20% OF
MONROE COUNTY CHILDREN ARE
LIVING IN POVERTY.
THAT'S ONE IN FIVE.
IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER,
38.4% OF CHILDREN GROW UP
POOR, MEANING ALMOST EVERY
OTHER CHILD LIVES IN POVERTY.
AND ACCORDING TO BOTH THE
CENSUS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS,
THOSE NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE
FOR THE YEAR 2000.
POVERTY HAS AN EFFECT ON
EVERYONE.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT
FIRSTHAND, YOU ARE PAYING FOR
IT.
THAT PRICE IS APPARENT WHEN
THE POOR FAIL TO GET ADEQUATE
HEALTH CARE.
GARY RECAPS THE NUMBERS AND
THEN TAKES A LOOK AT HOW THE
STATE IS HELPING CHILDREN GET
A HEALTHIER START.
>> Gary Walker: THE CHILDREN'S
DEFENSE FUND LISTS ROCHESTER
AS THE 13th HIGHEST IN THE
NATION FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN
POVERTY.
HERE IN ROCHESTER, MORE THAN
23,000 CHILDREN LIVE BELOW THE
POVERTY LINE.
IN MONROE COUNTY, MORE THAN
40,000 CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN
POVERTY.
>> IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE
STATISTICS ABOUT ALMOST EVERY
DISEASE, THE RATES ARE HIGHER
IN THOSE THAT ARE POOR, AND
IT'S PARTICULARLY TRUE IN
CHILDREN.
WE KNOW THAT POOR CHILDREN ARE
MORE LIKELY TO BE BORN
PREMATURELY, ARE MORE LIKELY
TO DIE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF
LIFE, AND MORE LIKELY TO BE
LEAD-POISONED.
>> Gary Walker: TWO-YEAR-OLD
LAMONT ADAMS IS IN THIS DAY
FOR A WELL-CHILD VISIT AT
ROCHESTER GENERAL HOSPITAL.
>> I'M GLAD YOU'RE SO HEALTHY.
SEE YOU LATER, OKAY?
>> Gary Walker: FOR LAMONT'S
MOM, LASHANA JAY, A DOCTOR'S
VISIT FOR HER SON USED TO BE A
LUXURY SHE COULD NOT AFFORD.
>> EMERGENCY VISITS AND STUFF
LIKE THAT, I WAS HOPING
NOTHING DID HAPPEN BECAUSE
THOSE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.
I WAS HOPING HE WOULDN'T GET
SICK AND HAVE TO GO IN THE
HOSPITAL FOR MONTHS AND STUFF
LIKE THAT AND THEN I'D HAVE
THESE BIG OLD DOCTOR BILLS.
>> Gary Walker: PARENTS HOPING
THEIR KIDS STAY HEALTHY,
THAT'S A FAMILIAR STORY FOR
MANY PEDIATRICIANS.
AND IT ADDS UP TO INADEQUATE
HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN.
>> A JUDGMENT OF PARENTS
TRYING TO DECIDE, "IS IT
SERIOUS ENOUGH TO BRING THEM
IN IF I'M GOING TO RECEIVE A
MEDICAL BILL FOR IT?"
SO IT'S NOT THAT THEY HAVE
UNUSUAL ILLNESSES.
THEY HAVE THE SAME ILLNESSES
THAT ALL THE OTHER KIDS HAVE,
BUT IT'S JUST THAT THEY'RE
LESS LIKELY TO HAVE THAT TAKEN
CARE OF.
>> Gary Walker: Dr. HERENDEEN
PRACTICES MEDICINE IN A
COMMUNITY WHERE A FULL 10% OF
KIDS DO NOT HAVE HEALTH
INSURANCE OR ARE SELF-PAY.
>> I THINK DAY-TO-DAY HEALTH,
FEELING ABLE TO PERFORM AT
THEIR BEST, IS WHAT THESE KIDS
ARE MISSING OUT ON.
>> Gary Walker: THAT MEANS
EVEN COMMON IMMUNIZATIONS ARE
MISSED.
POOR KIDS ARE SICKER, SICKER
LONGER, AND CAN FALL BEHIND AS
A KID.
>> BEING READY FOR SCHOOL IN
BOTH TERMS OF COGNITIVE
DEVELOPMENT BUT ALSO PHYSICAL
DEVELOPMENT, AS A GROUP, WE
SEE MORE LEARNING
DISABILITIES, WE SEE MORE
COGNITIVE TROUBLE IN KIDS THAT
ARE POOR, KIDS THAT HAVE NO
INSURANCE.
>> Gary Walker: AT ROCHESTER
GENERAL HOSPITAL, CHRISTINE
STRASSNER SAYS ABOUT 750 KIDS
HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING
NO HEALTH INSURANCE.
>> WE SEE THEM ONE WAY OR THE
OTHER.
WE NEVER TURN A CHILD AWAY.
YOU KNOW, THEIR HEALTH IS MUCH
MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE BOTTOM
LINE.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS STILL
THERE.
>> Gary Walker: IF KEEPING
KIDS HEALTHY AND IN SCHOOL IS
A PRIMARY PROBLEM, NEW YORK
STATE'S SOLUTION IS CALLED
CHILD HEALTH PLUS.
IT'S STATE-SUBSIDIZED HEALTH
CARE INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN,
ALL CHILDREN ACTUALLY BUT
MOSTLY FOR THE POOR AND THE
WORKING POOR.
AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ON
THE STUMP PITCHING THE
PROGRAM.
>> TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT
THERE TO PARENTS AND THE
GRANDPARENTS, THE NEIGHBOURS,
THAT EVERY CHILD IN THIS STATE
SHOULD HAVE THE ACCESS TO
GREAT HEALTH CARE AT NO OR
LIMITED COST, AND WITH CHILD
HEALTH PLUS, THAT OPPORTUNITY
EXISTS.
>> Gary Walker: IT'S AN
OPPORTUNITY LASHANA SAYS IS
THE REASON FOR TODAY'S
WELL-CHILD VISIT FOR LAMONT.
LASHANA SAYS HER PAYMENT FOR
LAMONT'S INSURANCE THROUGH
CHILD HEALTH PLUS IS AN
AFFORDABLE $9 A MONTH.
>> AND NOW, I'LL PAY THE BILL,
BUT $9, THAT'S REALLY NOT A
LOT OF MONEY.
IT'S CHEAPER AND BETTER FOR
ME, YOU KNOW, AND WHILE I'M
WORKING AND GOING TO SCHOOL,
THAT'S A LOT CHEAPER AND
BETTER FOR ME.
>> Gary Walker: CHILD HEALTH
PLUS IS SUBSIDIZED ON A
SLIDING SCALE DEPENDING ON A
PARENT'S INCOME.
BY ANY MEASURE, IT'S A GOOD
DEAL.
BUT EVEN THE GOVERNOR ADMITS
THERE ARE STILL HUNDREDS OF
CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY
WITHOUT COVERAGE.
>> IT IS THE BEST PROGRAM IN
THE COUNTRY.
IT IS NOW THE BIGGEST PROGRAM
IN THE COUNTRY.
WHILE WE'RE PROUD OF THAT
MILESTONE, WE STILL HAVE A
LONG, LONG WAY TO GO.
>> Gary Walker: THAT SO MANY
DO NOT AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE
PROGRAM, DESPITE THE FACT THAT
CHILD HEALTH PLUS HAS BEEN
AVAILABLE FOR FIVE YEARS NOW,
MAY BE DUE IN PART TO THE
STIGMA OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
AND THE ONEROUS APPLICATION
PROCESS.
>> WHEN YOU HAVE DEALT WITH
MEDICAID OR DEALT WITH SOCIAL
SERVICES IN THE PAST, YOU'RE
ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT LEERY OF
GETTING YOURSELF INTO A
TEN-PAGE FORM THAT TAKES A
COLLEGE EDUCATION TO EVEN
FIGURE OUT HOW TO ANSWER THE
FIRST SIX QUESTIONS.
>> THEY HAVE TO HAVE PROOF OF
INCOME, PROOF OF RESIDENCY,
PROOF OF AGE FOR EACH OF THEIR
CHILDREN, ANY TYPE OF CHILD
SUPPORT THEY MIGHT BE
RECEIVING.
IF THERE'S MORE THAN ONE ADULT
IN THE FAMILY, EVERYBODY HAS
TO PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF
INFORMATION.
AND IT'S JUST VERY, VERY
LENGTHY AND DRAWN-OUT.
AND IT'S VERY INTIMIDATING.
I BELIEVE THAT MANY FAMILIES
JUST SAY, "FORGET IT.
I DON'T WANT TO DO IT."
>> Gary Walker: AT ROCHESTER
GENERAL, CHRISTINE AND SEVERAL
VOLUNTEERS SEEK OUT CHILDREN
WITHOUT INSURANCE AND COACH
THE PARENTS THROUGH THE FORM.
SHE SAYS IT'S GOOD FOR THE
KIDS AND IT MAKES GOOD
ECONOMIC SENSE FOR THE
HOSPITAL AND FOR THE
COMMUNITY.
>> WHEN CHILDREN ARE HEALTHY,
THEY GO TO SCHOOL.
THEY LEARN.
THEY GROW PROPERLY.
THEY'RE JUST MUCH MORE VITAL.
AND YOU DON'T HAVE AS HIGH AS
A DEFICIT ON THE MEDICAID END
OR THE SOCIAL SERVICES END.
>> Gary Walker: AND FOR
LASHANA AND LAMONT, THE
PROGRAM MEANS A BETTER LIFE.
>> NOW MY LIFE IS DIFFERENT,
YOU KNOW.
I'M MORE STABLE RIGHT NOW AND
I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO AND I
KNOW WHAT THE NEW YEAR'S WILL
BRING FOR ME AND MY CHILD NOW.
>> Gary Walker: WE KNOW PUBLIC
ASSISTANCE ROLLS ARE DOWN, YET
POVERTY RATES AND THE NUMBER
OF CHILDREN NEEDING MEDICAID,
FOOD STAMPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS
ARE ON THE RISE.
JOINING ME IN STUDIO ARE
ROCHESTER MAYOR WILLIAM
JOHNSON AND PROFESSOR BRUCE
JACOBS, DEAN OF GRADUATE
STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
ROCHESTER.
GENTLEMEN, THANKS AGAIN FOR
JOINING US.
AGAIN, JUST AN INTERESTING AND
A QUICK REACTION TO, AGAIN,
THIS ANOMALY OF US BEING 13th
IN THE NATION FOR CHILD
POVERTY, AND YET SOUGHT OUT TO
LIVE AS A PLACE FOR GOOD
QUALITY OF LIFE.
>> I THINK THE KEY IS
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POCKETS OF
POVERTY, WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A
VERY CONCENTRATED POVERTY AREA
WITH A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP
IN THAT AREA EMBEDDED WITHIN A
METROPOLITAN AREA THAT IS
DOING AT LEAST FAIRLY WELL.
IT'S NOT QUITE AS WELL AS SOME
OF THE HIGHER GROWTH
COMMUNITIES.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE
KEY CONCERN IS, IN
CONCENTRATION.
>> Gary Walker: MAYOR?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN A CENTRE FOR
HIGH-TECH, BUT WE'VE ALSO BEEN
THE LARGEST MANUFACTURING
CENTRE IN THE STATE IN NEW
YORK, AND THAT SECOND FACTOR
IS DECLINING.
SO THAT MEANS THERE ARE FEWER
GOOD JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PEOPLE WITHOUT A GOOD
EDUCATION, AND I THINK THAT
REFLECTS IN PEOPLE SHIFTING
FROM, YOU KNOW, SUSTAINABLE
LIVING INTO A VERY, VERY
SERIOUSLY IMPOVERISHED KIND OF
LIFESTYLE.
>> Gary Walker: ONE THING
WE'RE NOT DOING HERE IS
IMPLYING THAT PEOPLE ARE
SITTING ON THEIR HANDS ABOUT
IT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE
WORKING ON THIS, A LOT OF
WELL-INTENTIONED PEOPLE.
GOVERNMENT IS DOING WHAT IT
CAN DO.
BUT I'M WONDERING, IS THE
SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE NOW FOR
SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, I MEAN,
IS THERE SOMETHING THAT'S
GOING TO BE -- CAN WE KEEP
DOING IT PIECEMEAL, IN OTHER
WORDS, OR DOES SOMETHING MAJOR
HAVE TO CHANGE IN THIS OVERALL
SYSTEM?
>> WELL, I THINK THERE HAS TO
BE -- I THINK THERE HAS TO BE
A GREATER AWARENESS THAT
POVERTY IS NOT A CONDITION
THAT PEOPLE CHOOSE.
I THINK CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE,
AND I THINK THAT ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OUT
OF THIS CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL
ERA THAT WE'RE IN IS THAT
THERE WAS A FIERCE EFFORT TO
TRY TO END WELFARE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO
THINK THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF
WASTE, A LOT OF SHIFTLESSNESS,
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE
PERPETUALLY ON WELFARE, AND I
THINK THAT WE'RE SAYING THIS
HAPPENED ALL ACROSS THIS
COUNTRY, AND I BELIEVE EVEN IN
SOME OF THESE AFFLUENT AREAS
IN THE SOUTHWEST, WE'RE GOING
TO BEGIN TO SEE MORE POVERTY
AS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
CONSTRICT.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY,
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE
OF YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
WE'RE SEEING THIS CONTINUED
EFFORT TO DOWNSIZE COMPANIES,
AND I THINK THAT GOVERNMENT
NEEDS TO REALLY TAKE A MUCH
MORE HUMANE LOOK AT SOME OF
ITS POLICIES, AND I WOULD BE
CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABSOLUTE
DESIRE TO JUST REDUCE THE
WELFARE ROLLS.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR
DOING IT THAT WAY.
>> Gary Walker: PROFESSOR?
>> WE RARELY CHANGE OUR
WELFARE SYSTEM DRAMATICALLY.
THE INVENTION OF
MEDICARE/MEDICAID WAS PERHAPS
THE MOST DRAMATIC CHANGE THAT
WE HAVE WITNESSED, FOOD STAMPS
AS WELL.
WE DO THINGS INCREMENTALLY.
THE UNMET NEEDS IN TERMS OF
CHILD HEALTH ARE BEING
ADDRESSED TO SOME EXTENT BY
THE CHILD FOR HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM.
THAT PROGRAM NOW IS IN ITS
INFANCY --
>> Gary Walker: CHILD HEALTH
CARE PLUS THAT WE HAVE JUST
SEEN.
>> EXACTLY.
AND THE OTHER THING THAT'S
HAPPENING THAT'S IMPORTANT AND
WE REALLY DON'T PAY ATTENTION
TO IS THE EARNED-INCOME
CREDIT, THE EARNED-INCOME TAX
CREDIT THAT GIVES A BONUS UP
TO 40% OF EARNED INCOME FOR
LOW-INCOME EARNERS.
THAT'S HAD A MEASURABLE AND
DRAMATIC EFFECT ON POVERTY
AMONG WORKING FAMILIES.
>> Gary Walker: THE WORKING
POOR.
>> THE WORKING POOR.
EACH OF THESE IS AN
INCREMENTAL CHANGE, AND I
SUSPECT WE'LL NEED SOME MORE
INCREMENTAL CHANGES.
I DON'T EXPECT A RADICAL
CHANGE.
>> Gary Walker: LET'S TAKE IT
FROM THAT POINT.
I THINK IT'S UNREALISTIC AND,
MAYOR, SITTING HERE AS THE
MAYOR OF THE CITY, IT SEEMS
UNREALISTIC THAT CITY
GOVERNMENTS OR THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT ARE GOING TO INCREASE
THE SALARIES OR INCREASE THE
EARNED INCOME OF PEOPLE.
IT'S JUST NOT A REALISTIC
THING TO DO.
SO HOW DO YOU MEASURE A
PROGRAM THAT THE CITY TAKES ON
OR A LOCALITY TAKES ON?
I SAY THAT BECAUSE I LOOK AT
SCHOOL 17.
112 KIDS IN PRESCHOOL, ALL OF
THEM HAVE LEVELS OF LEAD,
HEIGHTENED LEVELS OF LEAD.
50%, HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD
BECAUSE OF PAINT CHIPS IN
HOUSING AND -- SO I'M JUST
WONDERING, WHAT IS REALLY THE
BEST FOCUS FOR US HERE
LOCALLY, COUNTY, CITY, HEALTH
DEPARTMENT, TO REALLY FOCUS ON
FOR CHILD POVERTY?
> I'M GOING TO SAY VERY
QUICKLY, I THINK -- I STRUGGLE
WITH THIS ALL THE TIME BECAUSE
I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE
ISSUES FROM AN ACTIVIST'S
POINT OF VIEW FOR CLOSE TO 30
YEARS.
I HAVE SEEN PROGRAMS COME AND
GO.
WHAT I HAVE NOT SEEN IS ANY
DEEP-ROOTED DESIRE TO REALLY
CHANGE, TO DO WHAT PROFESSOR
JACOBS SAYS, TO MAKE RADICAL
CHANGE.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO
NOW IS HOW DO WE TAKE THIS
NEWEST ITERATION OF JOB
TRAINING AND RATHER THAN FOCUS
IT ON SHORT-TERM RELIEF,
STATISTICAL KIND OF RESULTS
THAT, "OH, YOU KNOW, WE
TRAINED "X" NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
THEY WENT OUT AND GOT A JOB,"
BUT YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT HOW
LONG THEY STAYED ON THE JOB...
HOW DO WE RETOOL THIS LOCALLY
TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO USE
THESE RESOURCES, WE'RE GOING
TO SUPPLEMENT THEM WITH LOCAL
RESOURCES, WE'RE GOING TO DO
EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO DO TO
ONCE AND FOR ALL PROVIDE
MEANINGFUL JOB TRAINING TO THE
CHRONICALLY UNEMPLOYED?
IF WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT
GETTING THEM INTO THE WORK
FORCE, LET US DO THAT.
LET US NOT PLAY GAMES.
THAT'S WHAT BOTHERS ME AS I
GET OLDER.
[continued in next column]
|
[continued from left column]
I RECOGNIZE THE GAME IS MUCH,
MUCH, MUCH QUICKER, AND I
DON'T HAVE MUCH PATIENCE FOR
THAT.
I THINK WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO
SOLVE PROBLEMS.
SO FOR US, THE CITY AND THE
COUNTY, WE'RE SITTING DOWN AND
REALLY TRYING TO DESIGN A
SYSTEM THAT EXCEEDS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL
LEGISLATION BECAUSE WE WANT TO
SOLVE THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR
ALL.
>> Gary Walker: PROFESSOR,
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> I THINK MAYOR JOHNSON, LIKE
MAYORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HAS
TO STRUGGLE IN A
SCARCE-RESOURCE ENVIRONMENT TO
DEAL WITH BIG PROBLEMS.
THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF THIS
EQUATION THAT ARE SIMPLY NOT A
FUNCTION OF WHAT LOCALITIES
DO.
THE MOST IMPORTANT TREND VERY
RECENTLY THAT I HAVE SEEN IS A
REDUCTION IN TEENAGED BIRTH
RATES, A REDUCTION IN THE
NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN WHO
BECOME MOTHERS WHILE THEY'RE
IN SCHOOL.
IF THAT REALLY CONTINUED, FOR
WHATEVER SET OF REASONS, OVER
A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF TIME, IT
WOULD HAVE MONUMENTAL IMPACT
ON THE LEVEL OF POVERTY ACROSS
THE COUNTRY, IN MONROE COUNTY
AND IN THE CITY AS WELL.
>> Gary Walker: MAYOR, WE ONLY
HAVE LIKE A BRIEF PERIOD LEFT,
AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE
LAST WORD HERE AND ASK YOU
OUTRIGHT: SINGLE-FAMILY
HOUSEHOLDS IS A BIG ISSUE;
PROFESSOR JACOBS HAS SAID SO.
DO YOU THINK THAT IF POORER
CHILDREN WENT TO SCHOOL WITH
WELL-OFF CHILDREN, WHETHER A
CHARTER SCHOOL OR MAGNET
SCHOOL OR WHATEVER, THAT THAT
WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD MORE OR
LESS GIVE THEM MORE OPTIONS OR
HAVE KIDS SEE THAT THERE'S
OTHER WAYS, OTHER PATHWAYS,
OTHER LIVES TO LEAD THAN BEING
STUCK IN A SITUATION WHICH IS
POVERTY, LIVING WITH POVERTY
ALL THE TIME?
>> WE HAVE TRIED THAT, GARY,
INTEGRATION.
NOBODY IS CLAMBERING FOR IT
ANYMORE.
I MEAN, EVEN UNDERSTANDING ALL
THE BENEFITS THAT YOU
DESCRIBE, I THINK THAT MORE
PEOPLE ARE NOW FOCUSED ON
EQUITY.
HOW DO WE TAKE A KID WHERE HE
OR SHE IS AND HOW DO WE
PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SAME
LEVEL OF EDUCATION THAT THE
KID WHO LIVES 20 MILES AWAY
HAS IN A MORE AFFLUENT
NEIGHBOURHOOD?
WE HAVE NEVER DEALT WITH THE
EQUITY ISSUES, AND WE HAVE TO
BEGIN TO ADDRESS IT FROM THAT
POINT OF VIEW.
>> Gary Walker: MY THANKS TO
OUR GUESTS, AND WE'LL BE BACK
TO TALK TO AN EDUCATOR WHO IS
ALSO IN THE HEALTH CARE
BUSINESS.
ELISSA?
>> Elissa Marra: GARY, 39 OF
ROCHESTER'S CITY SCHOOLS ARE
DEALING WITH HIGH NUMBERS OF
STUDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY.
AT SCHOOL 17 ON ORCHARD
STREET, ALMOST 99% OF SCHOOL
STUDENTS LIVE BELOW THE
POVERTY LEVEL.
BUT AS "NEED TO KNOW'S"
JENNIFER REED FOUND OUT, BEING
POOR AND BEING POORLY EDUCATED
DO NOT HAVE TO GO
HAND-IN-HAND.
>> AS A PRINCIPAL AND AS
TEACHERS, WE CAN DO ONE OF TWO
THINGS: WE CAN WRING OUR
HANDS AND GRIND OUR TEETH AND
GNASH OUR TEETH AND JUST SAY,
"OH, THIS IS A MOUNTAIN TOO
HIGH TO CLIMB."
OR WE CAN HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF
"NO EXCUSE, NO EXCUSE."
>> Jennifer Reed: SCHOOL
NUMBER 17 BELONGS TO ONE OF
THE LARGEST CENSUS TRACT RED
ZONES, AN AREA EXTREMELY HIGH
IN UNEMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC
ASSISTANCE, INFANT MORTALITY,
TEENAGE BIRTHS AND CRIME.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS ZONE,
THERE IS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
A SCHOOL THAT REFUSES TO
ACCEPT POVERTY AS AN EXCUSE.
>> WHEN OUR CHILDREN GO
THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND
THEY APPLY FOR A JOB AT KODAK,
KODAK IS NOT GOING TO ASK
THEM, "DID YOU GO TO A POVERTY
SCHOOL?
DID YOU LIVE IN A POVERTY
AREA?"
THEY WANT TO KNOW, "ARE YOU
READY TO WORK?
ARE YOU READY FOR THE
WORKFORCE?
ARE YOU READY TO BE A
PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY?"
AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO
FOCUS ON.
WHAT WE DO HERE IS PUT THINGS
IN PLACE TO LEVEL THE PLAYING
FIELD.
>> Jennifer Reed: AND
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD
FOR THOSE AT SCHOOL NUMBER 17
MEANS RE-CREATING THE WHOLE
GAME.
>> AND WE SAY WE REACH A
CHILD'S MIND THROUGH THEIR
HEART.
AND THAT'S WHAT MY STAFF DOES.
THEY STAND AT THE DOOR EACH
MORNING; THEY READ THAT CHILD
AND THEY PUT THOSE EMOTIONAL
PIECES TOGETHER EACH AND EVERY
DAY SO THAT THE CHILDREN CAN
RELAX AND LEARN.
>> WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT SOME
OF OUR CHILDREN COME TO US IN
THE MORNING WITH AND WE HAVE
TO DEAL WITH AS TEACHERS
BEFORE WE GET TO THE
INSTRUCTIONAL PART, AND YOU
HAVE TO SAY TO YOURSELF AS AN
ADULT, "WOULD I BE ABLE TO
COME TO WORK THIS MORNING
HAVING TO DEAL WITH SOME OF
WHAT THEY HAVE HAD TO DEAL
WITH IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THE
NIGHT BEFORE?"
AND YET THEY'RE ABLE TO COME
IN, TO A SANCTUARY, IF YOU
WILL, FOR THESE SIX OR SEVEN
HOURS THAT THEY'RE HERE AND
KNOW THAT THEY ARE SAFE;
THEY'RE GOING TO BE PROTECTED,
NURTURED, AND ALL THOSE NEEDS
ARE GOING TO BE MET AND THAT
SOMEONE IS HERE WHO WANTS TO
DO IT.
>> Jennifer Reed: SCHOOL
NUMBER 17 IS NOT ONLY TRYING
TO EVEN THE ODDS, IT'S TRYING
TO BEAT THE ODDS.
AND THAT MEANS REACHING BEYOND
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
>> EVERY SINGLE DAY WE COME
HERE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT
POVERTY DOES NOT HAVE TO EQUAL
LOW ACHIEVEMENT.
WE HAVE BROUGHT A NUMBER OF
PARTNERSHIPS IN TO HELP US
OUT.
WE'VE BROUGHT MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS OF RESOURCES INTO THIS
BUILDING AND WILL CONTINUE TO
DO SO.
THIS IS THE BAR, AND WE'RE
GOING TO JUMP THAT BAR.
THIS IS THE STANDARD AND WE'RE
GOING TO MEET THE STANDARD,
AND THAT'S OUR PHILOSOPHY.
>> Jennifer Reed: AND THAT
PHILOSOPHY HAS GRABBED THE
ATTENTION OF SOME OF OUR
CORPORATE COMMUNITIES LIKE
EASTMAN KODAK.
KODAK TEAMED UP WITH THE
SCHOOL TO HELP CREATE A HOME
FOR ITS NATIONALLY ACCREDITED
MONTESSORI PROGRAM.
>> THIS PROGRAM, IT EXISTS IN
THIS AREA ONLY IN PRIVATE
SCHOOLS, JENNIFER, AND IF YOU
WENT INTO THE SUBURBS, IT
WOULD BE BETWEEN $4,000 AND
$5,000 FOR THE SAME PROGRAM
THAT WE HAVE RIGHT HERE.
BUT HERE IT'S FREE,
AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LIVE
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
>> Jennifer Reed: IT'S NOT
JUST COMPANIES.
MANY LOCAL UNIVERSITIES ARE
TEAMING UP WITH THIS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LENDING
THEIR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
FOR TUTORING AND A LITTLE
ROLE-MODELING.
>> WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM WITH SAINT JOHN FISHER
AND ROBERTS WESLYAN, WHERE OUR
COLLEGE STUDENTS COME IN AFTER
SCHOOL AND TUTOR OUR CHILDREN,
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
BY TEACHERS AS STUDENTS WHO
COULD BENEFIT FROM ONE-ON-ONE
EXPERIENCES.
IT'S AN AWESOME TIME FOR
CHILDREN TO HAVE -- AND IT'S
AFTER SCHOOL -- FOR ONE ADULT
TO COME AND "YOU'RE GOING TO
BE ALL MINE FOR AN HOUR AND A
HALF."
THEY HAVE CONNECTED WITH
SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THEIR
CIRCLE.
>> Jennifer Reed: ONE OF THE
MOST POWERFUL PARTNERS HAS
BEEN SAINT MARY'S AND
PARKRIDGE HOSPITAL.
THE SCHOOL RAISED $1.2 MILLION
OF ITS OWN MONEY, PRIVATE
MONEY, TO HELP BUILD THIS
ONE-OF-A-KIND MEDICAL CENTRE,
WHICH IS LITERALLY ATTACHED TO
THE SCHOOL.
>> THIS IS A FULL-SCALE
ARTICLE 28 MEDICAL CENTRE,
LIKE JORDAN, LIKE WILSON.
IT HAS TWO DOCTORS, A MALE AND
A FEMALE.
IT HAS A FULL-TIME NURSE
PRACTITIONER, A REGISTERED
NURSE, A WHOLE TEAM OF MENTAL
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
IT'S A FIRST OF ITS KIND
BECAUSE WE ALSO BROUGHT IN ALL
OF THE AGENCIES.
BEFORE, YOU HAD THE HUMAN
SERVICE AGENCIES AND YOU HAD
THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND THE
SCHOOL, AND THE COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM WAS VERY CLUMSY.
NOW THEY'RE ALL IN THE SAME
BUILDING.
TO BE A TRUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL,
WE FIRST HAVE TO BE A
NEIGHBOURHOOD SCHOOL.
THE MEDICAL CENTRE DOESN'T
SERVE JUST THE CHILDREN; IT'S
OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY,
TO SENIOR CITIZENS, EVERYONE.
>> Jennifer Reed: SCHOOL
NUMBER 17 MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
LIFT FAMILIES ABOVE THE
POVERTY LEVEL, BUT IT IS
TRYING TO LEVEL THE PLAYING
FIELD.
>> THIS MEDICAL CENTRE WILL
SERVE AS THE CORNERSTONE AS WE
REBUILD THIS COMMUNITY, AND I
DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY
PROBLEM, ANY MOUNTAIN THAT'S
TOO HIGH TO CLIMB.
>> Gary Walker: JOINING ME IN
STUDIO IS SCHOOL 17 PRINCIPAL
RALPH SPEZIO.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
QUICK QUESTION: AMBITIOUS,
EVEN IMPRESSIVE.
LOTS OF LOCAL MONEY, LOTS OF
PRIVATE MONEY INTO THAT
INSTITUTION.
I HAVE GOT TO ASK OFF THE BAT,
DO YOUR TEST SCORES REFLECT
THAT KIND OF INVESTMENT?
>> WELL, THEY'RE GOING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION, GARY.
WE HAVE, I'M PROUD TO SAY,
EARNED THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
CLASSROOM RESOURCE AWARD FOR
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT TWO YEARS
IN A ROW.
SO WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
WE'RE NOW AIMING AT THE NEW
STANDARDS AND WE'RE MAKING
GREAT PROGRESS WITH THAT, TOO.
>> Gary Walker: THIS "NO
EXCUSE FOR POVERTY" POLICY
THAT YOU HAVE, IT'S GOT TO BE
DIFFICULT.
IS IT REALISTIC TO TELL THE
COMMUNITY, EVEN HOW MUCH
RESOURCES YOU'RE PUTTING INTO
IT, BUT YOU'RE STILL TAKING
KIDS WHO HAVE A VARIETY OF
DIFFICULTIES TO COME INTO THAT
CLASSROOM EVERY DAY AND TO
EDUCATE THEM.
>> IT'S VERY REALISTIC.
THERE'S NO QUESTION.
ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE DONE,
I'M PROUD TO SAY, IS
SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH A STAFF
THAT HAS THAT SAME PHILOSOPHY.
THAT'S A PHILOSOPHY THAT
REACHES DEEP TO MEET THE NEEDS
OF A CHILD.
IF YOU -- IT JUST TAKES
PERSEVERANCE AND TENACITY, AND
WE CAN DO THAT.
>> Gary Walker: HOW ARE YOU
GOING TO MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS?
>> WELL, IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
OF COURSE, WITH THE REGULAR
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT TEST
SCORES, BUT THERE ARE OTHER
THINGS, TOO, GARY.
THERE'S HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE.
THAT'S A FUTURE THAT WE'RE
GOING IN THE DIRECTION VERY
SOON.
>> Gary Walker: YOU'RE A
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TALKING ABOUT
HOUSING.
>> WELL, WE CAN -- SEE, THE
SCHOOL DOESN'T EXIST IN A
VACUUM.
WE ARE EVERY BIT A PART OF THE
COMMUNITY, AND THE COMMUNITY
IS A PART OF US.
WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT.
THERE ARE SO MANY INITIATIVES
THAT WE CAN DO AS A SCHOOL
COMMUNITY, NOT JUST A SCHOOL
BUT A SCHOOL COMMUNITY WORKING
TOGETHER WITH CITY GOVERNMENT,
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
THE POTENTIAL IS ABSOLUTELY
UNLIMITED.
>> Gary Walker: LET ME FINISH
WITH THIS.
CAN YOU REPLICATE -- I MEAN,
DOES EVERY SCHOOL HAVE TO
REPLICATE WHAT SCHOOL 17 IS
DOING?
>> NO.
WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS THIS:
EVERY SCHOOL DOES NOT NEED AN
ARTICLE 28 FULL-SCALE MEDICAL
CENTRE.
BUT WHAT I HAVE FOUND SUCCESS
IN DOING IS IDENTIFYING A
PROBLEM, CREATING DATA THAT
SUPPORTS THAT PROBLEM, AND
THEN GOING OUT TO THE
COMMUNITY.
GARY, I HAVE NEVER ONCE IN MY
MEMORY BEEN DENIED FROM THIS
COMMUNITY WHEN I HAD TO GO OUT
AND GET RESOURCES FOR THE
CHILDREN.
>> Gary Walker: SO --
>> NOT ONCE.
>> Gary Walker: THAT'S
PROBABLY THE KEY.
Dr. SPEZIO, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
ELISSA?
>> Elissa Marra: TONIGHT IN
OUR "NEED TO KNOW" PROFILE, A
MAN WHO HAS WORKED WITH THE
POOR AND NEEDY FOR ALMOST 25
YEARS.
HE'S THE REVEREND KEN FOX OF
THE OPEN DOOR MISSION ON NORTH
PLYMOUTH AVENUE.
REVEREND FOX HAD UNIQUE
TRAINING FOR HIS JOB.
HE WORKED AS AN ENGINEER FOR
KODAK IN DUPONT AND EVEN
WORKED DESIGNING SPACE SUITS
FOR NASA.
>> YOU KNOW, I AM SO THANKFUL
BECAUSE AS I PLAY BACK THOSE
MEMORY TAPES AND THINK ABOUT
THAT, I CAN THINK -- I CAN SEE
SO MANY POTHOLES WHERE I COULD
HAVE GONE DOWN THE TUBES BIG
TIME.
I'M HERE BECAUSE OF THE GRACE
OF GOD, YOU KNOW.
I SHOULD BE IN JAIL OR PUSHING
UP DAISIES SOMEPLACE IN SOME
CEMETERY BECAUSE I HAD BECOME
AN ALCOHOLIC, ACTUALLY.
I WAS A DRUNK.
AND I -- AT THAT TIME, I
DIDN'T REALLY GIVE A HOOT
ABOUT ANYTHING, FAMILY OR
ANYTHING ELSE.
I WORKED TO DRINK.
BUT ONE NIGHT IN A STRANGE
CITY, I FOUND MYSELF IN AN
E.G. ROOM, AND IT WAS THAT
NIGHT I REALIZED I WAS
POWERLESS.
I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.
DESPITE ALL OF THE THINGS I
HAD DONE IN MY LIFE AND MY
CAREER, THIS WAS ONE THING I
COULD NOT DO ON MY OWN AND I
COULDN'T CONTROL.
AND I CRIED OUT TO GOD THAT
NIGHT AND GOD CAME INTO MY
LIFE, AND I WOULD PASS THIS
PLACE CALLED THE OPEN DOOR
MISSION.
ONE NIGHT I STOPPED AND WENT
IN AND I ASKED IF HE NEEDED
ANY HELP AND SO HE SAID,
"WELL, YOU CAN WASH DISHES."
SO THAT NIGHT I ENDED UP
WASHING DISHES, A JOB I HATE
TO DO.
SO I WOULD GO TO WORK, CHURCH
ON WEEKENDS, AND I WOULD GO TO
THE MISSION.
GOD WAS WORKING ON ME, AND ON
THIS PARTICULAR TUESDAY, GOD
HAD BEEN IMPRESSING ME TO
LEAVE THE ENGINEERING FIELD
AND GO INTO FULL-TIME
MINISTRY, BUT I ARGUED WITH
GOD, OF COURSE.
YOU KNOW, I COULDN'T AFFORD TO
DO THAT.
BUT THAT MORNING I GOT INTO MY
OFFICE AND I WAS WORKING ON A
SOLAR RECOVERY PROJECT FOR
DUPONT AND I GOT CALLED IN TO
THE CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE
AND HE SAID, "WELL, WE ENJOY
HAVING YOU HERE, BUT THINGS
ARE TIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LET YOU
GO."
THE ONLY DOOR LEFT OPEN WAS
THE OPEN DOOR AND I FIGURED
$100 WAS BETTER THAN NOTHING.
AND I FIGURED, QUITE FRANKLY,
I WOULD ONLY BE THERE FOR, YOU
KNOW, A MONTH OR SO AND I'D
GET ANOTHER JOB IN ENGINEERING
AND MOVE ON.
BUT THAT WAS ABOUT 24 YEARS
AGO, SO...
WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT PEOPLE
COME TO US, AND THEY HAVE BEEN
BEATEN UP SO BAD THEY DON'T
TRUST ANYONE.
AND YOU NEED TO EARN THAT
OPPORTUNITY.
BUT WHEN THEY SEE THAT YOU
GENUINELY CARE ABOUT THEM,
YOU'RE NOT THERE TO HARM THEM,
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM, TO
HURT THEM, THAT YOU WANT TO
HELP THEM WALK THROUGH THIS
PROBLEM OR PROBLEMS, THAT THEY
CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.
IN OUR HUMANNESS, WE OFTEN GET
OVERWHELMED BY THE PROBLEMS IN
LIFE.
BUT I'M LEARNING GRADUALLY
THAT PROBLEMS ARE REALLY
OPPORTUNITIES IN WORKCLOTHES
TO WORK THROUGH.
BUT I CAN GO ALONGSIDE
SOMEBODY AND ENCOURAGE THEM
THAT WAY BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN
THERE, DONE THAT; I KNOW THE
STRUGGLES THEY'RE GOING
THROUGH.
I KNOW THE STRUGGLES OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS, OF SMOKING
EVEN.
WE THINK IT'S A THEM AND US
ISSUE.
"I'M OKAY; YOU'RE NOT."
BUT THE REALITY IS WE ALL HAVE
OUR ADDICTIONS.
YOU KNOW, SO THERE BUT BY THE
GRACE OF GOD GOES YOU AND I,
AND WE NEED EACH OTHER.
GOD HAS CHOSEN TO WORK THROUGH
US, AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
>> Elissa Marra: NEXT WEEK,
"NEED TO KNOW" PROFILES "D&C"
COLUMNIST MARK HARE.
>> Gary Walker: AND WE'LL TAKE
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO WILLS
AND ESTATE PLANNING.
>> Elissa Marra: IF YOU WOULD
LIKE TO CONTACT US ABOUT THIS
TOPIC, PLEASE WRITE TO US OR
E-MAIL US AT THE ADDRESSES ON
YOUR SCREEN.
>> Gary Walker: THANKS FOR
JOINING US.
GOOD NIGHT.
>> Elissa Marra: GOOD NIGHT.
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