My name is Michael Hall, I'm 17 years old and I'm from a small town known as Ferriday located in Louisiana. Poverty is a serious and growing issue. Currently in Ferriday, LA, 52.1% of the population lives below the poverty level; over half of the population. Poverty is a chain reaction. If you continue to let it grow, it will soon spiral out of control.

As you may already know, having such a high poverty rate also increases the crime rate. There is an estimated 226 reported incidents annually. The poverty in this area causes adults and children to turn to the streets for some form of stability and happiness. Instead of occupying their time trying to financially support their families, they spend their time in the streets committing crimes. 

 Not only do the citizens have to endure financial poverty in Ferriday, but they also have to deal with bad water conditions. The town legislature has done all they could do on their own, but if we could receive a little extra help, the people of this town could finally have safe water.

Many would say that poverty is caused because people are too lazy to make a living for themselves. In some cases that is true, but I also believe that there are systems that can be put in place to prevent the lazy from getting help. In my area, jobs are scarce. Many local businesses are closed for business, and others have no available positions. I have experienced this myself. Sometimes all a person needs is little help to get off their feet. Although it would be a long and hard process, I believe that you could be the one to do what many Presidents before you have failed to do. Starting one small town at a time, I believe you could help end poverty in America for good.  

"Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere."

-Kofi Annan, Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations

"Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime"

-Aristole, Greek philosopher

"Poverty is like punishment for a crime you did not commit."

-Eli Khamarov, writer

"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."

-John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States