NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT/TNNEWSSERV) -- There’s been a slight drop in Tennessee’s poverty rate, but many families continue to struggle.
In-state advocates for the poor say many jobs lost during the years of economic stress haven’t returned, while many of those that have don’t offer the same pay or benefits.
Cynthia Chroom of the Tennessee Association of Community Actionsays the best way for local communities to help their poorest residents is to offer education, job training and job hunting assistance.
“Not just helping them to get jobs – helping them to get job ready. To help them prepare their resumes, have things appropriate to wear, understand what industries are looking for, so that people have a better opportunity for getting involved in these employment-related opportunities.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s poverty rate in 2012 was just under 18 percent, making Tennessee the 11th poorest state in the nation.