Social Change and the Empowerment of the Poor: Poverty Representation in Milwaukee's Community Action Programs, 1964-1972

by Mark Edward Braun

Overview

Social Change and the Empowerment of the Poor provides insight into the local impact of a variety of federal programs funded by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Specifically, Mark Edward Braun's dramatic social history examines seven anti-poverty programs—Community Action Programs (CAPs)—started in Milwaukee in the 1960s. Braun's research confirms that, unlike most other cities, Milwaukee's deteriorating urban neighborhoods were transformed by these initiatives. CAPs successfully empowered Milwaukee's poor, made public officials and institutions more accountable to the needs of the poor, reformed punitive legislation, created new community-based organizations, expanded social services for people of color, and challenged elites. This book provides an excellent framework for future studies that will add to the current scholarly interest in the long-term results of CAPs. Braun simultaneously dispels the myth that CAPs were a categorical failure, and brings a provocative new voice to urban studies, social activism, policy studies and political science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739101995
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	03/21/2001
Series:	Studies in Modern American History
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.28(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Mark Edward Braun received his Ph.D. in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He writes on the social and political history of inner cities.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Part 2 The City of Milwaukee before Poverty Representation Chapter 3 A Short History of Milwaukee and the Birth of the Social Development Commission Chapter 4 Racial Tensions and the Police in Milwaukee's Low-Income Community Chapter 5 The Struggle for Poverty Representation on the Social Development Commission's Board of Directors and Community Action Programs. Part 6 Community Action Programs and the Social Development Commission Following Poverty Representation Chapter 7 New Leadership at the SDC Board and the Empowerment of the CAP Resident Council Chapter 8 Empowerment of the Poor by Providing Multiple Services: The Inner City Development Project Chapter 9 Empowerment of the Poor through Confrontation: The Organization of Organizations Part 10 The Diversity of People Served by Milwaukee's Community Action Programs Chapter 11 Empowerment of the Poor by the Provision of Legal Services: The Milwaukee Plan Legal Services versus Freedom Through Equality Chapter 12 Empowerment of Mexicans via Financials Services: El Centro Credit Union Chapter 13 Empowerment of Low-Income Senior Citizens: Project Involve Chapter 14 Conclusion