3% unemployment rate
Over 14 percent of households live below
the California Poverty Measure
Poverty in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
– low unemployment, high cost of living
Sources: California State Employment Development Department October 2018
A family must work 159 work hours per week
at minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom
apartment at fair market value ($2,173)
High Housing Costs Outpace Wages in
Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Sources: California Poverty Measure: Public Policy Institute of California 2014-16
Over 6% of residents in Alameda and
Contra Costa county are eligible for but
not participating in Cal Fresh
Despite Poverty, Important Social Services Unused
Sources: Catholic Charities of California January 2018
19% Alameda County residents lack
basic literacy skills
12% Contra Costa County residents
lack basic literacy skills
Low Literacy Compounds the Problem
California Poverty Measure: Public Policy Institute of California 2014-16
How to Help
“It may sound corny, but volunteering for Catholic Charities has been one of the most deeply positive and inspiring experiences for me. The people I’ve met, the projects I learned about, and being part of a collective effort to help people has been really meaningful and wonderful. I will forever be enriched by the learning, informed awareness, caring and sensitivity, dedication given to so many important issues, peoples, lives. Thank you for all the incredible good work you do.”
– Tina Hawkinson, Catholic Charities Volunteer
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