Next Up SK alumni and Poverty Costs Team lobby together for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy!

Big news! The Saskatchewan Government has committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy! As one of only two provinces without such a strategy, this is an important step in reducing poverty and improving health in Saskatchewan. This decision is the result of decades of anti-poverty organizing in the province, most recently driven by Poverty Costs campaign, which outlined the cost of poverty and lobbied the provincial government for the strategy.

The campaign, run by partner organizations including Upstream, the Saskatoon Health Region, The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Center, the Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership, the Saskatoon Anti Poverty Coalition, and Unite Digital Marketing Co-op, has seen much Next Up influence. NU SK4 grad Rachel Malena-Chan has provided central campaign leadership through her work with Upstream, NU SK3 grad Amanda Guthrie served as campaign coordinator during the summer, and Fred Reiben, who is currently in the SK cohort, provided extensive marketing support through his work with Unite. Elizabeth Roth (current SK cohort) and Hilary Gough (NU SK4) also provided assistance through Upstream’s involvement. What an incredible success for both the Poverty Costs Team and the Next Up Saskatchewan alumni network!

Head to www.povertycosts.ca to learn more.

 

To learn about where similar action is needed, visit www.bcpovertyreduction.ca to learn about the need for a plan in BC and www.chewonthis.ca - the campaign working toward a federal plan.