Social welfare organization wants to target economic justice

Education, poverty and economic justice were among the topics discussed at the Missouri Association for Social Welfare's first Cape Girardeau area chapter meeting.

An informational meeting was held in August to allow people to learn more about the group and decide if they wanted to join or become board members. The MASW is a statewide organization that advocates for changes in public policy to improve social conditions. It's based in Jefferson City with chapters in cities such as St. Louis and Kansas City.

The MASW focuses primarily on state issues, but its chapters also focus on finding solutions to local problems. Cheryl Garrett, president of the Cape Girardeau chapter, said the newly formed board has decided to focus on economic justice as it's primary target. She said it's easy to see the number of people in the area struggling not only to find a job, but to find one with suitable pay.

Jeanette Mott Oxford, the MASW executive director and speaker at the local chapter's first meeting, which was held at the United Way of Southeast Missouri office on Broadway, voiced her approval of the group's decision. It's the type of issue that concerns many people, she said, but they don't always feel they have a way to contribute to a solution. That's where MASW comes in.

People wonder what they can do about issues that have such a deep effect on quality of life "but the idea seems too big to get your arms around," Oxford said. " ... We can't tackle the whole issue. We find pieces of it and take them on."

Among the group's goals is to distribute accurate information on a timely basis. The MASW will often share information with voters about legislation or ballot issues. In the upcoming election, it has taken a position on two of the four questions that will appear on the November ballot. It's one of many groups to come out against Constitutional Amendment 3. Oxford called the measure that would eliminate tenure for teachers and require districts to develop a standards-based system for teacher evaluations "shortsighted" and said it would not improve the education system.

The MASW also is encouraging a "no" vote on Amendment 6, which would establish a six-day early voting period in Missouri. Oxford said the measure only created the illusion of early voting. It would allow early voting only on weekdays, during regular office hours. The early voting process also would hinge on the state appropriating funds to pay for any additional costs incurred by local election authorities.

Once elections are complete and the legislature begins its next session, the MASW has plans to continue supporting legislation to improve overall equality for all Missourians. Oxford said this is often as simple as looking at legislation and regulations that have not been updated to reflect modern needs and issues. Too often, the answer as to why reform hasn't taken place -- whether it's health care, education or welfare reform -- is because people have become used to the existing system, she said.

It's an answer Oxford said she doesn't find acceptable, a sentiment board members of the local chapter echoed.

"'That's just the way it is' seems to be the answer for everything," Garrett said. "What happened to putting some elbow grease in and really looking at the problem?"

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

430 A Broadway St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.