Dear Editor:
In her enlightening book, "A Framework for Understanding Poverty," Ruby K. Payne defines poverty as the extent to which an individual does without resources – financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, support systems, relationship/role models, knowledge of hidden rules. These categories of resources allow us to examine across social class lines the extent to which we or others might be poor. Do I have enough money to pay for adequate food and decent shelter for my family? Am I able to to choose and control my emotional responses, especially in negative situations, without engaging in self-destructive behavior? Do I have stamina, perseverance and choices? Do I have the mental abilities and acquired skills (reading, writing, computing) to deal with daily life? Do I believe in divine purpose and guidance? Do I have adequate physical health and mobility for living? Do I have friends, family and backup resources available to access in time of need? Do I have frequent access to adults appropriate to my needs, who nurture the child within me? Do I know and understand the unspoken cues and habits of the group(s) to which I wish to belong?

Cortez school personnel have had in-service training sessions with Payne. Her publication is available in the Cortez Public Library. Those of us in Montezuma County who support Habitat for Humanity have here a ready framework for thinking first about our own lives and then, humbly, about the lives of the homeless and working poor in our midst. Only with such a sensitive approach will we be able to partner with Habitat families and support them as they do "sweat equity" on their homes and model their family lives after those of us who presume to mentor them.

Henry Cone, Senior Advisor
Habitat Steering Committee
Madison House
via email