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Fighting Poverty

Crossroads Urban Center facilitates political advocacy groups that bring together community members interested in working towards a system that aligns with the needs of the people.  Our political advocacy groups (listed below) create space for voices often left out to be actively part of the political process.  These community groups work with political leaders to make policies that are inclusive and support people in their fight to escape poverty.

Anti Hunger Action Committee (AHAC)

The Anti-Hunger Action Committee is a membership organization for food pantry clients and volunteers who work together to change policies that cause hunger and poverty.  Over the years AHAC members have worked successfully on many important issues, including:

• Simplifying the process for applying for Food Stamps benefits
• Preserving funding for Medicaid services, and
• Opposing cuts to bus service to low income neighborhoods.  (Read More)

Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC)

The Coalition of Religious Communities brings people together from 15 different faith communities to: 

• Educate faith communities about poverty and how to engage decision makers in finding solutions
• Educate elected officials about Utah’s religious diversity and the commitment of faith communities to justice for the poor.
• Organize events to draw attention to specific poverty issues and give people of faith opportunities to express support for their low income neighbors.
• Build Community between people from different faiths who share a commitment to reducing poverty and its consequences.  (Read More)

Community Housing Advocacy Project (CHAP)

The Community Housing Advocacy Project (CHAP) works to preserve and increase low income housing opportunities in Utah. CHAP has worked to preserve scarce single room occupancy (SRO) housing units in Salt Lake City, merge Section 8 waiting lists in Salt Lake county, call attention to the growing number of homeless, and identify additional resources for low income housing development.
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For more information contact the project director of CHAP, Tim Funk, at 801-364-7765, ext. 105.

Utah Poverty Partnership (UPP)

The Utah Poverty Partnership (UPP) unites several advocacy & community groups under one umbrella as they work on a common goal of reducing poverty.
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Each July, the UPP offers a free barbecue, with attendance in the hundreds.  The event is a great way for community members from multiple groups to mingle with other people interested in combating poverty, as well as to meet current/prospective legislators and ask them about their stance on poverty issues.
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Each fall, the UPP hosts a poverty summit to discuss specific ways to cut hunger and extreme poverty in Utah.  The summit also honors the tenacious volunteers and advocates who have worked tirelessly throughout the year.  It is a time to celebrate and a time to plan.