However you define it, poverty is complex. Generally speaking, there are six types of poverty: situational, generational, absolute, relative, urban, and rural. Understanding the difference is critical to attacking the problem effectively.

​

A person or family can experience situational poverty when their income and support is decreased due to a specific change—job loss, divorce, death, etc. While there can be a domino effect caused by this one significant change, families experiencing situational poverty tend to remain hopeful, knowing that this is a temporary setback. This typically is not so with generational poverty.

Families dealing with generational poverty are also challenged with three other forms of poverty: 1) educational poverty; 2) parental poverty and 3) spiritual poverty. The cumulative effect of these different forms of poverty often creates the most damaging outcome of generational poverty—the constant presence of hopelessness. Without hope - the belief that life can and will be better - planning is reduced to surviving and values get compromised. Common issues in low-income families include social, emotional and cognitive impairment, chemical dependence, and adoption of health risk behaviors.

The Ignite Difference

Most social service programs do a good job providing individuals with the skills and support needed to help them achieve some degree of success. The unfortunate truth is, much of that success is short-lived. At Ignite, we provide the "spark" needed to help individuals find the why - the larger purpose - behind their desire or need to change.  What sets us apart is we take direct aim at the trauma caused by poverty and inequity and leverages the power of the human spirit to undo the cycle of poverty. Our Model is Transformative; Our Work is Holistic and Our Motivation is always Personal Empowerment.