Orange County is facing previously unseen economic challenges that are forcing residents to address issues such as unemployment and outright poverty.
In January, there were 147,000 officially unemployed people here, a 36% increase from a year earlier, when that number was 108,100.
The current unemployment rate is 9.1%, and 9.9% of OC residents are living below the poverty line, totaling more than 290,000 individuals.
In one of the most affluent counties in the world, that we have more than 290,000 people living in poverty is simply unacceptable. It’s up to each of us, as residents of this community, to be deliberate and proactive in how we address these issues together.
Poverty in OC also encompasses a new group of individuals—the new homeless or the working poor. This group is composed of residents who had well-paying jobs, mortgages, retirement plans and were middle to upper class members of society and who are now waiting in lines at mobile food pantries to receive food, standing outside of one-stop clinics to get medicine for their sick children and searching for bus vouchers to get to interviews. Some are working multiple jobs and are still unable to survive, becoming a statistic of poverty.
The current requests for services in our community are staggering. In January, 211 Orange County—a United Way-funded partner and referral service—received 11,005 calls and provided about 20,300 referrals for services including bus and gas vouchers, food, housing, health insurance, utility assistance, rental assistance and shelter.
This past July, 211 Orange County had a 98% increase in requests for food, a 77% increase for legal assistance and an 84% increase in requests for counseling services.
Basic needs concerns of our community should be addressed by focusing on getting families and individuals through their crisis situations and back on the path to self-sufficiency. For example, with Orange County United Way’s recently launched self-sufficiency Web-based program, case managers provide reports that highlight programs and tax credits families may be eligible to receive and that describe how to access these benefits.
In addition, clients are provided with food, shelter, counseling services, legal services, medical assistance and cost coverage, transportation services and other assistance.
It’s imperative as a community to address key issues and tackle poverty head-on through education and financial literacy programs once basic needs are met.
At the United Way, one way educational success for our youth is promoted is through career exploration curriculums in certain high schools. The curriculums can help teenagers understand the connection between schoolwork and the path to a career.
Financial literacy and financial success are supported through the coordination of free tax preparation days. Participants not only have the opportunity to get their taxes completed by professionals for free, but they also learn how to apply for tax credits that many times go unclaimed.
To date, more than $5 million in Earned Income Tax Credits have gone back into the hands of local clients.
Financial literacy classes that educate people on how to build assets and save for their futures also can help people become self sufficient.
All OC families want the same things: well-paying jobs, security, a sense of self-worth, strong educational opportunities for their children and active participation in their communities.
Every person should have the opportunity to make these dreams reality, and each OC resident should be responsible in some capacity for helping everyone meet these goals.
We find it unacceptable that more than 290,000 of our own neighbors are living in poverty and yet not everyone is working to address these staggering increases.
Acknowledging the current issues in our community is the first step to ending poverty and building self-sufficient lives in OC.
Wilcox is chief executive and president of Orange County United Way.
