The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction  is calling on all provincial political parties to make poverty reduction a key election issue this fall.

In their recently released statement “A Call to Action on Poverty in Ontario”, they say:

“As the October provincial election approaches, we call on all Ontario political parties to make the reduction and eradication of poverty a key election issue and to clearly outline their commitments and concrete plans to tackle poverty in our province.”

Many of the women and children who come to Nellie’s are not only leaving situations  of abuse, but of poverty and homelessness as well.   The Toronto Community Foundation reported in their 2010 Vital Signs report that “almost one quarter (23.4%) of children in female lone-parents families were living in poverty in 2008.”

As countless social service agencies around the city see their demand for services increase and their financial capacity to provide these services threatened by funding cuts, it is of utmost importance that the government we elect takes a serious and progressive stance on tackling poverty. 

Please check out http://25in5.ca  for more information on how you can get involved.