Understanding and Working with Students and Adults from Poverty

The eight resources that define poverty as the extent to which an individual does without resources are: Financial, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, Physical, Support Systems, Role Models, and the Knowledge of hidden rules; are overpowering. I have always thought that poverty was created simply by lack of money and perhaps emotional or the ability to handle negative situations in a positive way. I had no idea it was so much more than that.

In my life I grew up middle class or lower middle class (if it exists). When I grew up and moved out on my own without a support structure, money or good health I stumbled down into poverty on more than one occasion. Even now at times I feel like I am still there, it feels like being trapped with no way out. I am in college to try to make sure I never get stuck down there.