In our reporting through the summer of 2009, our news team concluded that we were hearing "new voices." A voice that says, "I can't find a job;" another voice that says, "I don't know where my next meal will come from;" and yet another that says "I've just lost my home." As the numbers of the jobless, the hungry, and the homeless continued to grow, we found that the names increasingly included those that we know. As a result, we have found ourselves "one degree away" from poverty.

We are in a unique position to go beyond the statistics and trends of the recession. Instead, we propose to engage. Engage with our community. Engage with our providers. Engage with our leaders.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Are you struggling financially?

Tell us about your experience.

GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Tell us about your thoughts
on the "That Could Be Me" series.

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES ROUNDTABLE

Produced by Don Wimberly and Samantha Wright

A natural component of our series is a community conversation. In the wake of our reporting, we asked some of Idaho’s caregivers and officials to engage on the topics of hunger, homelessness and poverty in Idaho. Marc Johnson, President of Gallatin Public Affairs is our guide as he facilitates inspiring and challenging dialogue with our guests: Rosie Andueza (Program Manager, Food Stamp Program), Russ Baron (Administrator, Welfare Division), Alberto Gonzalez (Supervisor, Idaho’s 2-1-1 CareLine), Sen. Kate Kelly (Representing Idaho’s 18th district), Dr. Eric Maier (President, Idaho Academy of Family Physicians), Greg Morris (Program Manager, CATCH), Dr. Julie Robinson (Director of Community Affairs, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho), Hillary Roethlisberger (Director of Local Operations, Genesis World Missions), Neva Santos (Executive Director, Idaho Academy of Family Physicians), Roger Sherman (Executive Director, Idaho Children’s Trust Fund), and Amber Young (Treasure Valley Social Services Coordinator, Salvation Army).