October 6, 2025 Census Survey Includes Statistics on Children Living in Poverty, Pre-K Counts Eligibility The U.S. Census Bureau recently released results of the 2024 Community Survey (ACS), an annual source of up-to-date information on social, economic, and housing data and trends. This year’s survey found that the number of Pennsylvania children under the age of 18 living in families below the federal poverty level decreased by about 1%. Learn More The survey provides local statistics on a variety of demographic and economic topics, including health insurance coverage, household income, and educational attainment. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children highlighted some of the most noteworthy statistics in a recent newsletter. These include: The number of Pennsylvania children under age 18 living in families below the federal poverty line – less than 100% FPL – decreased from 404,000 to 396,000, or from 16% to 15%. Racial gaps remain for children living in poverty: Approximately 31% of Black children live in poverty as well as 26% of Latino children, 10% of non-Hispanic white children, and 20% of children with two or more races. The rate of Pennsylvania children under age 6 who have all available parents in the labor force remained at 72%. Pennsylvania children under 6 who are eligible for Pre-K Counts (less than 300% FPL) decreased from 54% to 51%. For more statistics, visit the Pennsylvania KIDS COUNT Data Center or the 2024 Community Survey.
November 29, 2018 Tickets for Kids Book Club Tickets for Kids and the Sto-Rox Library announced the discussion dates for their new collaborative book club. The book chosen by their group is: “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this book was also the One Book One Community choice of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Jennifer Gray by email (jgray@forstorox.org) or phone (412.771.1222). Parking is located in the parking lot on the side of the building, PNC parking lot after banking hours, or on the street. Discussion Dates Discussions will be held at the Sto-Rox Library on the following dates: December 10, 2018: 4-5:30 PM February 11, 2019: 6-7:30 PM April 8, 2019: 6-7:30 PM June 10, 2019: 6-7:30 PM About the Book “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond describes the plight of poor families who, for want of a few dollars, are forced to move from their homes, apartments, or trailers. An ethnographer, Desmond shares the intimate vicissitudes of his subject/friends as they struggle to make ends meet while negotiating a bewildering system of slumlords, public agencies, law enforcement, and courts, a system that seems almost designed to reinforce a downward spiral of poverty. The consequences of eviction are especially felt by mothers with young children, whose development is jeopardized by substandard housing, low-quality neighborhoods, and poor nutrition. *Information provided by Tickets for Kids Charities and Pitt Public Health*
November 28, 2018 Film Screening | We Wear the Mask: The Hidden Faces of Women in Poverty Join Just Films in their free screening of Pittsburgh filmmaker Tammy Thompson’s “We Wear the Mask.” After the screening, Thompson and the women featured in the documentary will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public. Register here. For any questions, contact Melody Harris via phone (412.365.1578) or email (m.harris@chatham.edu). About the Film “We Wear the Mask” powerfully represents the challenges for low-income women in Pittsburgh, and demonstrates the psychological effects of poverty. Women are disproportionately disadvantaged by growing economic inequality in our country and region. This evocative documentary follows three different women who have faced similar struggles, and illuminates the human impact of economic injustice through their stories. Just Films Just Films is brought to you by the Chatham University Women’s Institute, Gwen’s Girls, the Women and Girls Foundation, the Women’s Law Project, and YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. Share their flyer with your networks.
