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The Culture of Poverty
Track(s): Public Education

Barbara Chandler, Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership

Audio Sample:




Many families we work with live in generational or situational poverty. If we really want to be effective with these families we have to look at some of the assumptions and judgments we make about "those people." This interactive presentation will help us understand the kind of challenges these families face every day. If we have a better understanding of those challenges, we'll be more effective in reaching them.

Barbara Chandler has advocated for persons with disabilities, elders, victims of domestic violence and low-income families for over 30 years. She is the Fair Housing Manager for the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, Inc. and the lead staff person for policy, technical assistance and training on fair housing for the agency. Ms. Chandler was the past Director of the Coordinated Aging, Rehabilitation and Disability Services Project (CARDS) for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and as well as a Planner with the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. She presently sits on the Board of Directors for the Citizens Housing and Planning Association, the Governor's Fair Housing Task Force, MA Office of Access and Opportunity Advisory Board, the City of Boston Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Advisory Panel, and the Greater Boston Civil Rights Coalition. Ms. Chandler has been recognized for her housing advocacy work for persons with disabilities by Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), and by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.