Ep 14: Let Your Life ECHO

Today we are talking about $25,700. That’s the threshold of what the United states considers to be living in poverty for a family of 4. 

That includes minimum wage workers, sometimes even holding down multiple jobs. This includes seniors living on fixed incomes. It includes people who are suddenly out of work and scrambling to get a new job before their savings runs out. 

We know that poverty doesn’t discriminate, but it also doesn’t affect everyone equally. Poverty affects women more than men. In 2018 the poverty rate for married couples was only 4.7% - but for single-parent families ranged between 12.7% and 25% with the higher percentage being for households headed by women.
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Nearly 4 million people living with a disability live in poverty. That’s the problem we are tackling today, along with ways we can use what we’re good at and passionate about to be part of the solution.

My guest today is Freddy Branham, the Executive Director of ECHO Outreach Ministries, a faith-based organization that works against poverty and FOR economic opportunity for at-risk populations. He’s a graduate of Florida State University with degrees in Finance and Management Information Systems, and began a career in business development for the technology field.  He got his start in human services when he managed the school nutrition program for the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Now, he brings an employer-led business perspective to the social services arena. He works to connect the strengths and networks of the private sector to the efforts of non-profits beyond donations and into collaboration. 

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