FAMU Law discusses solutions to poverty during annual symposium

With FAMU law students leading the charge, the Orange County Community Action hosted the Florida Association for Community Action’s (FACA) Third Annual Symposium on Poverty.  With the theme “Engaging Key Partners in Addressing Poverty” at the FAMU College of Law.

The Symposium was held to raise awareness regarding the issue of poverty and frame solutions to inevitably reduce the causes of poverty.  Through presentations and panel discussions, the Symposium on Poverty organizers developed an action plan consisting of strategies which address poverty in order to effectuate policy change locally and statewide.  Seven states currently offer a statewide initiative addressing poverty.  

Orange County Florida Mayor Teresa Jacobs provided opening remarks for the Symposium along with comments by Orange County Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell, District 6.  Key to the Symposium was a presentation by FAMU College of Law third-year students Rowena Daniels and Jennifer Druffel entitled “The New Face of Poverty.”  Daniels and Druffel worked with fellow law students Kalie Latter and Carrington Williams on research that was conducted under the supervision of College of Law professors Ann Marie Cavazos and Eunice Caussade-Garcia with the FAMU Legal Clinic Programs.

“The New Face of Poverty” presentation served as a catalyst for discussion among the featured panelists who responded directly to information shared during the presentation.  The panel featured an array of Central Florida’s community and business leaders including Homer Boone, Director of Customer Service, Workforce of Central Florida; Robert H. “Bob” Brown, President, Heart of Florida United Way; John W. Edwards, Jr., Immediate Past Chair, Community Action Partnership; Dean Michael Frumkin, University of Central Florida College of Health and Public Affairs; Dr. Jesús Jara, Deputy Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools; John M. Lewis, CEO, Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Lynx); Harris Rosen, Chief Operating Officer, Rosen Hotels and Resorts; and Dr. Falecia Williams, President, Valencia College West Campus.

Additional discussion occurred through breakout group sessions with Symposium attendees and facilitators who addressed specific areas on poverty also highlighted in the presentation.  Facilitators included Elizabeth K. Davenport, Ph.D., J.D., LL.M., President, United Faculty of Florida-FAMU Chapter; Dave Krepcho, President/CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank; and Lavon Williams, Esq., Manager, Orange County Neighborhood Preservation & Revitalization.  The breakout group sessions focused on employment, transportation and housing three areas of particular concern as it relates to poverty in Central Florida.