A large number of people in Dubuque live in poverty. Persons of color are more likely to be in poverty in Dubuque than in comparable cities. Once one is in poverty there are many barriers to become self-sufficient.
The City is partnering with the Dubuque Dream Center, the Fountain of Youth, The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Northeast Iowa Community College and other entities to help those in poverty to find their way out.
Our new Office of Shared Prosperity adds hope. We will be working to find and fix the gaps that allow poverty to flourish in our community. There is a fair amount of opportunity here. The team is finding the tools that people need to link up with the opportunities that exist or will be created. The new office also is guiding neighborhoods to be successful and safe. We have several new and active neighborhood associations the team has helped to create.