A Worthwhile Cause

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"Fourth World Movement is a network of people in poverty and those from other backgrounds who work in partnership towards overcoming the exclusion and injustice of persistent poverty. Our projects focus on the sharing of knowledge among people of different backgrounds in an atmosphere of mutual respect and dignity. We then seek out and create forums where the voice and experience of those in poverty can influence public opinion and policy. A corps of full-time, long-term volunteers spearheads this work, but relies on members from all walks of life. As the United States branch of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, we have teams in New York, Washington, DC, Southwestern Virginia, and New Orleans.

Programs and projects are based on three basic principles:

* The inalienable dignity of each human being
* The necessity to learn from families in poverty
* The responsibility of all people to unite to overcome the injustices of poverty "

Street Libraries engage children and parents around books, computers, and art in neglected, under-resourced communities. As the Fourth World Movement�s signature project, Street Libraries currently occur in New York City and had been active in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina. Street Libraries developed from the principle of reaching towards a community�s aspirations and the aim of sharing knowledge in the heart of the community. The format is simple: colorful blankets on the ground, a communal time of reading and stories, followed by an activity promoting discovery, highlighting skills, and encouraging creative expression.

Behind the simplicity, however, are rigorous methods. Street Library volunteers from outside the community arrive at the same time every week, week after week. They invite all children, but keep a special eye out for those with the most difficulties. They solicit and rely on input and support from parents and other community members. They prepare achievable activities with quality materials.

From the collective art projects in which children work together towards the same goal The simple actions of Street Library program build a consistent, long-term, and trusted presence in low-income communities and with families struggling with persistent poverty. This relationship leads to further projects and partnerships that promote positive changes at different levels of society for families and communities in poverty."