A user by the name of Firefly suggested a great idea on the Hunger and Poverty Forums. He suggests the organizing local groups of poor people into what he calls wayside communities. These local groups would help empower poor people and fight poverty in the way that Alcoholics Anonymous helps empower alcoholics and fight alcohol addiction.
I think this idea has a lot of potential.
For one, locality of the groups would let the poor people address local issues and find specific solutions for their specific problems in their area. Poverty in one locality may have different dynamics than poverty in another.
The groups also would help empower poor people, which would enable them to help themselves get out of poverty. The groups would provide motivation and emotional support for the members. Additionally, by organizing and meeting with each other, the poor people would gain social and political power, as well as personal connections and friendships to use to overcome personal options.
You can discuss the idea of wayside communities in the original thread made by Firefly at the following URL:
http://millionsofmouths.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=234
If you have not already, you can join the forums for free. Please do, and discuss these ideas. We want your input! Thanks!