Values
Pathway to Potential (P2P) relies on and supports a network of partners and organizations in the Windsor Essex community. P2P works to educate members of the community about the social and economic costs of poverty and the return on investment associated with preventing and reducing poverty.
P2P advocates for the removal of systemic barriers, and creates and supports concrete initiatives that improve the lives of people living in poverty, or who are at risk of living in poverty.
P2P recognizes these efforts must reflect the needs and perspectives of those disproportionately affected by poverty, including First Peoples, racialized people, new Canadians, lone-parent families, people with disabilities and women.
Definition of Poverty
In order to guide strategy and decisions, P2P adopted the following definition of poverty.
Poverty results from barriers to social and economic resources that prevent well-being and access to opportunities in the community.
P2P will focus on the following three key barriers over the next 5 years:
- Income
- Education and literacy
- Employment and training
The choice of these three barriers was based on the Steering Committee’s analysis of key data, resources and infrastructure, and supporting community initiatives. While these three barriers will be the primary focus, P2P will continue to play a supportive role in other community initiatives (outlined in the Windsor Essex Poverty Reduction Plan) that are integral to the reduction and prevention of poverty.
Vision Statement
All residents of Windsor and Essex County will be valued and included in their community and experience social and economic wellbeing.
Mission Statement
Together we will reduce poverty and ensure the social and economic wellbeing of residents who live in Windsor and Essex County.
2012 Action Goals
Income Goals
- Advocate for an adequate income security system
- Advocate for adequate wages
- Advocate for a national strategy on poverty
Education & Literacy Goals
- Support efforts to increase literacy rates for all ages, including working with partners to provide opportunities for lifelong learning
- Advocate for policies and integrated, multi-disciplinary programs that work to increase the graduation rates for post-secondary education
Employment & Training Goals
- Support advocacy efforts to assist the development of social enterprises
- Strengthen community partnerships to support advocacy efforts concentrating on workforce development and subsidized system navigators focused on employment supports
- Support advocacy efforts for the recognition of Internationally Trained Professionals
Pathway to Potential will play a supportive role in the following areas:
Early Learning and Child Care
In 2012, Pathway to Potential will play a supportive role in the early learning and child care sector by having representation on the Best Start Network and supporting efforts to increase literacy rates for all ages.
Housing
In 2012, Pathway to Potential will play a supportive role in housing by having representation on the Homeless Coalition and input into implementation of provincial Long-term Affordable Housing Strategy.
Health
In 2012, Pathway to Potential will play a supportive role in health by having representation on the Steering Committee of Food Matters Initiative.
Transportation
In 2012, Pathway to Potential will continue to support initiatives that advocates for accessible, affordable public transportation for residents of Windsor-Essex
Pathway to Potential (P2P) is comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders who collectively work to reduce the number of individuals and families living in poverty in Windsor and Essex County, to raise awareness about poverty, and support individuals, groups and organizations engaged in poverty reduction work.
The collaborative’s convening partners were the City of Windsor, the County of Essex, Legal Assistance of Windsor, the United Way Windsor Essex and the University of Windsor’s School of Social Work.
Collaborative Leadership Team
The P2P Collaborative Leadership Team will provide direction and decision making regarding Windsor Essex County’s Poverty Reduction plan. The Collaborative Leadership Team is the group accountable to P2P funders and members.
The Collaborative Leadership Team will be comprised of the following members:
- Co-Chair
- Co-Chair
- Working Group Chairs (4)
- City/County Representative
- United Way Representative
- Voices Against Poverty Representative
- Community Representatives At Large (4)
- P2P Director (non-voting)
- P2P Community Organizer (non-voting)
P2P STAFF
Director
Community Engagement Coordinator