Poverty is a multifaceted social problem that affects billions of people worldwide.

Working with the Art of Democracy and a diverse group of community partners directly involved in combating various elements of poverty in our region, we have determined that our discussion of poverty must ask the following questions:

A combination of collaborative partnerships, community engagement, social media, blogging, vlogging and broadcast - this video provides an overview of WQED's Think! initiative on Poverty in Western Pennsylvania.

HOW CAN SYSTEMS & SERVICE PROVIDERS CHANGE TO REMOVE THE STIGMA AND REVEAL THE TRUE NATURE OF POVERTY?

IF POVERTY IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT CAN BE SOLVED, HOW CAN WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOLUTION?

HOW CAN WE CREATE COALITIONS TO GENERATE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS TO ADDRESS POVERTY?

From its beginnings involving community organizational input, the initiative gathered momentum, moving into social media, online forums, and community gatherings, the project culminated in a broadcast town hall meeting.

The many voices taking part in WQED's poverty initiative over the past four months coalesced in an hour-long broadcast from the Fred Rogers Studio where civic leaders and community members came together for this culminating event. The program was televised and streamed live online.