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Dr. Courtney Hayward: Poverty does not have to exist
This season is all about community care. And, quite frankly, how community and collective care is a part of the resistance. Community care is not a charity model—it's a model of solidarity. This season will be amplifying people and organizations that are examples of community care. I have a broad definition of community care—my personal definition includes systems work, democracy, policies, mutual aid, neighborhood centers, meal delivery, caregiving, respite care, and more. During this season I will invite guests to share their personal definition of community care, what they think is important in this particular moment in time, and provide thoughts and advice on how to get active in community care.
This week, I'm in conversation with Dr. Courtney Hayward, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association—WISCAP. Courtney, originally from South Florida, shares her journey from being a Head Start kid who grew up using the very programs she now supports, to becoming a registered lobbyist fighting to eradicate poverty across Wisconsin. We dig into some hard truths about covert racism in the Midwest, the shocking reality that 35% of Wisconsinites fall into the ALICE threshold—the working poor who can't meet basic needs despite being employed—and why poverty doesn't have to exist if we actually fund the programs that work. Courtney also breaks down why nonprofits need to stop being afraid of advocacy and her mantra for community care: use your life to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most. This is a masterclass in policy, proximity, and the power of showing up for your community.
Key topics in this episode include:
• The reality of poverty in Wisconsin: 11% poverty rate, but 35% of Wisconsinites fall into the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold • Covert racism in the Midwest versus overt racism in the South • The critical role of Community Action Agencies in fighting poverty across 68 of Wisconsin's 72 counties • Why the "benefits cliff" keeps working families trapped in poverty • Policy threats facing anti-poverty programs: Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), Head Start, and weatherization funding • The importance of nonprofit advocacy and holding elected officials accountable • Community care as collective action, not just individual self-care
#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackOxygen #PovertyinWisconsin #WISCAP #CommunityAction #CollectiveCare #CommunityActionPrograms #BlackInMadison #BlackWomen #Leadership #MadisonWisconsin #DaneCountyWisconsin #NonProfitLeadership
Resources and links:
WISCAP - https://wiscap.org/
Dr. Courtney Hayward - https://madison365.com/courtney-hayward-named-new-executive-director-of-wiscap/
United for ALICE - https://www.unitedforalice.org/home
The State of ALICE in Wisconsin -
https://www.unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/wisconsin
View all episodes
By Madison365This season is all about community care. And, quite frankly, how community and collective care is a part of the resistance. Community care is not a charity model—it's a model of solidarity. This season will be amplifying people and organizations that are examples of community care. I have a broad definition of community care—my personal definition includes systems work, democracy, policies, mutual aid, neighborhood centers, meal delivery, caregiving, respite care, and more. During this season I will invite guests to share their personal definition of community care, what they think is important in this particular moment in time, and provide thoughts and advice on how to get active in community care.
This week, I'm in conversation with Dr. Courtney Hayward, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association—WISCAP. Courtney, originally from South Florida, shares her journey from being a Head Start kid who grew up using the very programs she now supports, to becoming a registered lobbyist fighting to eradicate poverty across Wisconsin. We dig into some hard truths about covert racism in the Midwest, the shocking reality that 35% of Wisconsinites fall into the ALICE threshold—the working poor who can't meet basic needs despite being employed—and why poverty doesn't have to exist if we actually fund the programs that work. Courtney also breaks down why nonprofits need to stop being afraid of advocacy and her mantra for community care: use your life to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most. This is a masterclass in policy, proximity, and the power of showing up for your community.
Key topics in this episode include:
• The reality of poverty in Wisconsin: 11% poverty rate, but 35% of Wisconsinites fall into the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold • Covert racism in the Midwest versus overt racism in the South • The critical role of Community Action Agencies in fighting poverty across 68 of Wisconsin's 72 counties • Why the "benefits cliff" keeps working families trapped in poverty • Policy threats facing anti-poverty programs: Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), Head Start, and weatherization funding • The importance of nonprofit advocacy and holding elected officials accountable • Community care as collective action, not just individual self-care
#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackOxygen #PovertyinWisconsin #WISCAP #CommunityAction #CollectiveCare #CommunityActionPrograms #BlackInMadison #BlackWomen #Leadership #MadisonWisconsin #DaneCountyWisconsin #NonProfitLeadership
Resources and links:
WISCAP - https://wiscap.org/
Dr. Courtney Hayward - https://madison365.com/courtney-hayward-named-new-executive-director-of-wiscap/
United for ALICE - https://www.unitedforalice.org/home
The State of ALICE in Wisconsin -
https://www.unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/wisconsin