Poverty vigil scheduled for Jan. 8 at the State House

Leaders from faith communities across Rhode Island will gather Jan. 8, 2019, at 3 p.m. for the 11th annual Fighting Poverty with Faith Vigil, sponsored by the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty. As in past years, the vigil will be held at the Rhode Island State House in the rotunda.

This year’s vigil coincides with the 55th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s announcement of the War on Poverty.

Rabbi Sarah Mack, of Temple Beth-El in Providence, will deliver the keynote address. Cantors from several congregations will sing and faith leaders from across Rhode Island will speak. 

The vigil is open to the public. In years past, more than 200 people participated, including leaders from virtually every faith and community in the state as well as state government officials. This year, organizers expect that Governor Gina Raimondo will speak.

According to Victoria Strang, director and lead organizer of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, Rhode Island has the highest poverty rate in New England at 12.8 percent. She said that 17 percent of children in the state live in households below the federal poverty level.

“Faith leaders and community members play a critical role in bringing voice to the injustices of poverty,” Strang said. “The RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty works to make sustainable, long-term change. We believe that our faith calls us to be a community that cares for all, not just some, and we hope to see a big turnout for this year’s event.”

During the vigil, the names of all of Rhode Island’s elected officials will be read by clergy from across the state and from a variety of traditions and congregations. They will be asked to govern with wisdom and knowledge as well as to produce a moral budget that will not be “on the backs of the poor.”

The Interfaith Coalition is an advocate for Rhode Islanders who live at or below the “safety net.” This includes people living on the edge of poverty and people living in poverty. The Coalition believes every Rhode Islander shall have: A decent, safe and affordable home; adequate food and nutrition; equal access to affordable and quality healthcare; equal and quality education for all children; and decent work with adequate income.

Over the years, the R.I. Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty has been a frequent advocate at the General Assembly, meeting with legislators and participating in hearings on a number of poverty- related issues. These include the issues of homelessness, housing, healthcare, education and predatory lending.