Original Article

It’s getting harder for people right here in our own backyard to move up the economic ladder from poverty or near-poverty to improve their economic status.

The problem is not limited to the “traditionally” poor, or to any particular ethnic group, race or immigration status, or to any one cause, although those same studies show that those factors and a person’s zip code affect access to opportunity.

One only has to consider the impacts of the recent government shutdown to realize that even those working “good jobs” can quickly lose their place on the ladder of financial stability and success — through no fault of their own.

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