A large number of people in Dubuque live in poverty. Persons of color are more likely to be in poverty in Dubuque than in comparable cities. Once one is in poverty there are many barriers to become self-sufficient.
The City is partnering with the Dubuque Dream Center, the Fountain of Youth, The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Northeast Iowa Community College and other entities to help those in poverty to find their way out.
The announcement that Anderson Sainci will be the Director of the new Office of Shared Prosperity adds hope. We will be working to find and fix the gaps that allow poverty to flourish in our community. There is a fair amount of opportunity here. We hope to find the tools that people need to link up with the opportunities that exist or will be created. This position is a redefinition of the vacant Neighborhood Specialist position.