We can end poverty, but this is why we haven't | Teva Sienicki | TEDxMileHighWomen

As the president & CEO of a non-profit, Teva Sienicki has experienced first-hand the devastating, cyclical nature of intergenerational poverty. In this inspiring talk, she argues that in order to end poverty once and for all, we need to treat the root causes of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Teva is passionate about building equity and closing the achievement gap for low-income kids. She transformed Growing Home, which began as a small shelter, into an anti-poverty organization that serves over 4,600 families annually. Winner of the Livingston Fellowship, her approach emphasizes innovation, analysis, and teamwork.

[kyle]

To save you some time she basically said, #1 don't rely on hand outs and the government. #2 work with your community and neighbors to get stuff done. #3 Educate your children so they aren't in the same situation. All three points are highly recommend.

[fossrampant]

During COVID isolation I've been bingeing on these Tedx talks. This is one of the best I've come across, on any subject.

[thatAncientArtist]

This is so inspiring!! I'm going to school right now for my mental health certification and I have so much to say about this video. I agree with everything about this. I grew up poor and still in my 30s poor trying to make it work and am now being told I cannot continue my education just because of where I reside. on top of it all i have several disabilities and struggle daily. I am fighting it of course and will continue to fight and plan to help end poverty as well.

[ubermom]

A habit of saving is a proven way to rise out of poverty, but our government poverty programs punish saving. If you have money in the bank, you can't get temporary help out of a rough patch. People learn not to bother saving. If they get a big EITC "tax refund, " they blow it immediately in order to avoid losing their benefits. As a result they never have the resources to deal with a setback.

[lightsbackon]

It is delusional, even preposterous for someone to fault the person in poverty for their circumstances. I remember us having to live without heat for a year with a newborn daughter due to affordability. There were even times when we had to choose between food or paying the electricity bill. I listened to your story about the young lady losing her home. It reminds me of us trying to find someplace to stay when we had no place to stay. I am a witness that poverty does mess with your heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit. I agree with her points and when we are on one accord, change takes place. Even though this video is from 2016, it is still relevant today. Thank you Teva, God bless you, and may your journey continue in a lifetime of success!

[cuda]

When seeking the right answers, we must first seek to ask the right questions. Seek the long term build, not the temporary fix. Give a man a fish, feed him for a night. Teach a man to fish, and feed him for a lifetime. Politics feeds on poverty, yet milks the worker, and creates laws of enslavement on every level, engulfing all aspects of life.

[gaillewis]

There is big money in oversight of poverty. That's it.

[Kiwiwanderer]

I became a divorced non tertiary educated single parent of one at 28 years old. I stopped at 1 child. Worked 2 jobs. Paid my mortgage and bills.

No social life, no dating, I’m a non drinker, non smoker, no holidays, no new furniture or clothes until I was 42. Any incidental money went on extra lessons etc for my daughter. I’m now 57 still work - but now I am mortgage free, travelled.

Sacrifice. Delay gratification. Work ethic, focus, purpose., the ability to save. Stop consuming. Self responsibility.

My now 28 year old daughter was like me and not academic - she started a Saturday dishwashing job at 15. From 16 she worked weekends and school holidays. Left school at 16 with no qualifications but only after she had a fullt8me job. She has worked full time ever since. She is a good saver, non drinker. This year she bought her first home alone in the hot Auckland market.

Life skills and stubborn focus and not education is what solves poverty.

[vsiegel]

You could solve that as a stone-cold economical problem: Invest in having healthy, educated citizens. Others did it, it pays.

[rocferguson]

Unfortunately that was nearly 13 minutes of motivational speaking that didnt offer one single idea in how to address the actual problems she kept hinting at.
Vague comments on complex issues bring nothing to the table.

[Narrowgaugefilms]

Does anybody notice what is missing here? It's not really a "what" but a "who" and the "who" is Dad. I happen to be a parent myself and I can testify that the idea of successfully raising children alone is absolutely mind-boggling to me: to never have somebody else to rely on, to never be allowed to have the flu or start dinner before you get home, somebody to go to the supermarket or watch the kids while you do. These families headed by teenage girls will always be at a disadvantage to households of two parents and no amount of raising the minimum wage and government housing can really work until we restore the two parent household.

[absolutfreak]

4:06 "Too often we focus on the immediate human needs without addressing the issues that create them"
That sounds like how we deal with all our problems in this country. We don't want to do the hard work to fix the root causes, we'd much rather slap a bandaid on and let someone else figure it out in the future.

[normallyerratic]

I also want to make awareness of public transportation. People are often choosing between cars or homes because of the price. Cars are very expensive. Some people don't even have car insurance, maybe due to history of driving. Enhancing public transportation can eliminate a lot of those issues. It can make it more affordable to live in a home.

[lvteachme]

It disturbing that the blame is placed solely on society. It is a fact that systemic structures significantly contribute to poverty yet individual choices are just as significant.

[LittleRadicalThinker]

It's such heart broken to hear someone has a talk about poverty and get so close to the true cause and yet so far away like everyone else. Poverty is caused by the structure of the system yet not that you can change without flipping the system upside down, which is not anyone but a dictator with great heart and wisdom can achieve. Put as much effort you want, but at the end, without the structural changes of the system, it makes no difference at the end of the day.

[jgdooley]

The comments here seem to suggest that a 40 hour week with one worker who could support an entire family in the US at one time. This may have been true in the late 40's and 50's up to the late 60's but was far from the normal state of affairs in the US, and indeed much of the European and English speaking world. People forget the depression of the 1930's and the war based economies of the 40's where all family members working 60 or 70 hour weeks with very high taxes and enormous social obligations was the norm. It seems to me that the era from 1949 to 1969 was a sort of victory bonus for workers in the US, major tasks such as rebuilding Europe, defending against Russian aggression in the cold war etc meant that all able bodied workers were sorely needed and paid reasonably good wages. This is no longer the case, most manufactured items consumed by US and Europe are now made in the Far East and South Asia. Even the Chinese can no longer compete with the likes of Vietnam, Bangladesh etc as low wage centers of work. It is a false-hood to think that the present difficulties are unique or that other generations had a free ride and an easy time of it in their lives. Each 75 year lifetime will have its difficult times which need to be overcome in some form or another.

[devonseamoor]

Teva Sienicki, you're a woman to my heart and mind! Great presentation and fully coming from the core of your being. Thank you

[cscott]

Teva is so correct . Please listen to what she is saying . Poverty is caused by unrealistic expectations on the cost of just, existing, and is perpetuated by the ignorance of how our society is actually structured, to create unnecessary competition, to benefit the few .

[louisesumrell]

I haven't even listened to this yet, and I know how to end poverty. Hitch said it twenty years ago. "To end poverty, simply empower women." Now I'll listen to it and see if that's what she says, and who she attributes it to...

[juless]

Teva is correct about addressing the issues that are the causes of poverty. The economic system that many people live in is unpredictable that having a big family is a luxury and to indulge leads to a wealth hazard and not just a health hazard.