Moving Beyond Basic Needs to Break the Cycle of Poverty | Kristen Miale | TEDxSMCC

Poverty remains a significant problem plaguing our nation despite Herculean work being done by non-profits and billions of dollars spent by the public sector to address the issue. We blame poverty on the poor rather than recognize that many Americans are born into circumstances where the American dream is virtually inaccessible. In this talk, Kristen Miale challenges us to see the core of the problem: we are so focused on basic needs and individual accountability that we ignore other factors and social structures that contribute to a person’s ability to break the cycle of poverty.
In her role as president of the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Kristen Miale has helped Maine’s largest hunger relief organization provide over 23 million pounds of food to those in need. Before joining the food bank in 2010, she was founder and program director of Cooking Matters for Maine, a local chapter of Share Our Strength’s nationally recognized cooking and nutrition education program.
Kristen’s passion for ending hunger has driven her to serve on the steering committee of the Maine Food Strategy and as Senate President Michael Thibodeau’s representative on the Commission to End Student Hunger. Kristen resides in Kennebunk with her husband and two children.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@black4vcobra]

Very good points made about how it is a struggle to get out of poverty. She misses the biggest issue that keeps people in poverty though - having children that a person is not ready for, can't afford and are birthed out of wedlock or a committed relationship.

[@christinedrummond8115]

I work at a DV shelter. I am going to share this during our next staff meeting. These lessons are so hard to teach people.

[@mmendi1114]

one of the best talks out there on this subject, an eyeopener for me.

[@jenniferlabruzzo3922]

These stories are SO IMPORTANT people don't understand what is taking place and NOT taking place. Too many people have no idea what holds people back, and what propels them forward.

[@Asierramoore]

Great evaluation of the effects of and reasons for sustained poverty. This knowledge sharing was important. The part about the request for brand name items and the misunderstanding of that kind of request was an important takeaway.

[@mollythorpe1796]

Wow, she brought me to tears of agreement!

[@christinedrummond8115]

This Ted Talk is monumental. Great job

[@bin579]

i've listened to tens of tens of these TED talks on 'poverty' and this one deserves alot more views. Its the most profound one i've heard yet. Thank you Kristen!

[@mikebaker6804]

We have disassembled the nuclear family and extended clan that used to help people in downtimes and showed them how to connect to the larger community. Even this talk is focused on the Individual, and a total solution needs to look at how we help families connect and build together.

[@SRose-vp6ew]

It was a very good talk but you add a needed point.

[@shizukuamasawa6643]

Amazing thought. This is absolutely true. Thank you for confirming it.

[@jiamingsun5992]

Can’t wait to be rich and give out advices.

[@marycarroll1240]

Great Info!!

[@higgseroni]

Thank you fo what you do.

[@jamesam003]

Gurudwaras are designed to fulfill every level of need, from basics to self-actualization and beyond.

[@Rohit-oz1or]

I think it is collective responsibility of all those who are financially well endowed to lift our poor brethren out of debilitating poverty. Only then the world will be a good place to live in

[@SRose-vp6ew]

And sometimes the help needed is non-judgmental friendship, I don't mean handouts where you support others to support the needy with your money but having actual authentic two way relationships with those who need far more than a handout from a stranger. Sometimes the thing to do isn't what's logical (give to the basic needs) but what is love (you being the one there to first see the need and give without them needing to ask). That's God's wisdom. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ - From Matthew 25 in the Bible.

[@genotriana3882]

Living beyond your means in response to materialism and peer pressure is a pathway to poverty for many lottery winners, millionaire athletes, and upper middle class. In the long term they struggle to meet basic needs at the expense of meeting a felt need in the short term. Not sure if teaching encouraging that behavior is the best option but I like the idea of uniforms if we can find a way to help the poor families get them.

[@kdsagar4570]

Her Programs should be run all around the globe. What the heck is the United Nations doing???

[@candicecorbin4690]

I do not look homeless, I do not act homeless, I have a college degree and an animal. I also have a criminal record that is from NC before I met Jesus and surrendered my life to him. I am rejected from employment to jobs I am qualified for due to things I did wrong 10 to 16 years ago and haven't been in any kind of trouble in 10 years. I left a wealthy but abusive home in NC and live in my car right now. What people around me don't understand is that having safety is important to me, knowing I can lock a door and change my clothes in privacy or fall asleep in my car with the windows down without someone reaching in is challenging. I am not giving up, the answer is housing for me, yet I am often judged by my past and who I was before I understood that I used to drink and do wrong things because growing up I had no sense of safety and no reason to care. I remember the first time i shoplifted at 15, it felt like the inly thing in my life at the time that i had any control over or a choice as my parents often meant well but denied my own experiences and reality. It was a coping mechanism, and then after you get in trouble once, i remember not caring at one point as i already screwed up and it didnt matter. I surrenedered to God in 2011 and quit drinking, drugs and living wrongly and have been healing ever since. t's so challenging as i am viewed by a backhround check as a criminal or a liability yet I do not do the things i did over a decade ago and i am no longer that person. It is even more challenging transitioning with a dog abd no suppory from a dysfunctional family. I will make it and i trust God to provide and give me strength. Thank you for this ted talk!

[@Caktusdud.]

Hold on there another bit to add to the equation its going to be good

[@SPACEMONKEY288]

Not everything should be open for profit. Housing, food, water, education should be free and provided as being part of society and being a human to begin with. Trade can be open for goods and services, food, electronics etc but the basic needs should not be open for profit they should be provided as a human right. Basic housing community’s. If someone wants more they can work there way towards that. But there should atleast be a starting ground that doesn’t mean you starve or sleep in the street.

[@vibmeetup1355]

I don’t even understand how having a college degree, years of experience, certs in other skill sets keep me in poverty as if I’m a lazy person not getting up everyday at 6AM but still have nothing to show for it.

[@mikebaker6804]

What are you doing to change your situation? What needs to change?

[@SRose-vp6ew]

Actually it's amazing your asking this question and pushing on. Keep doing that and you will push through. Maybe find someone that is more in the place you want to be and ask them if they have any ideas that could help you. I know a few successful people and they all have things making them money besides their day job and it often came after years of saving, investing beyond the day job, failing, and trying again before they figured it out and felt ahead for all the hard work.

[@CantPickTheNameIwant]

Only 8930 views since 2016 on a channel with 22 mln subscribers?!

[@cjonwickham1933]

These dont know they talk about....rich get richer from middle class make it barely with family and the poor is borderline like me...cheap labor make rich richer. 99% are poor or poorer. People try help poor get poorer middle class...some rich lose shirt. We screwed...

[@maki9852]

pov: u here for school

[@jimhouser2556]

the baseball analogy is a poor one...there are more than four bases when it comes to accomplishments.

[@paigemellish6568]

If you are trying to get a home run... it is easier if you start on 3rd base.