Poverty Talks! (yes, the exclamation point is part of the name) is a grassroots organization in Calgary devoted to bringing the voices of those living in poverty to the forefront of civic and community dialogue. Through community conversations, speaking to city council at times of public input, holding public events - such as our annual International Day to Eradicate Poverty event, and social media, we try to elevate the voices of people in poverty to be a strong and engaged part of discourse in all areas of life.
Our steering committee meets once a month, and is made up entirely of members living in poverty. In addition to our steering committee, we also have subcommittees devoted to particular aspects of poverty that includes both steering committee and non-steering committee members. Events we host are also free and open to the public, though they may require an RSVP so we know what to expect for attendance. We also work with other grassroots organizations.
From 2016-2023 we worked closely with Vibrant Communities Calgary on the Enough for All Strategy, providing perspectives on poverty as a lived experience group.