Poverty Awareness Month
What Progress Looks Like in Pennsylvania
Poverty Awareness Month invites us to pause, reflect, and refocus, not just on the scale of poverty in Pennsylvania, but on what progress truly looks like when communities invest in people, relationships, and long-term solutions.
Across the Commonwealth, Community Action Agencies are doing just that. They are building pathways to stability that recognize poverty is not a personal failure, but a systems challenge…one that requires coordination, trust, and sustained commitment.
The Reality in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 11.6% of Pennsylvanians are currently living below the federal poverty level, representing hundreds of thousands of individuals and families navigating housing instability, food insecurity, and limited access to opportunity.
👉 View the full Pennsylvania poverty data here:
https://data.census.gov/all?q=poverty+in+pennsylvania
Behind these numbers are real people and real progress, being made possible through Community Action.
Progress Through Self-Sufficiency: Community Progress Council
One powerful example comes from Community Progress Council (CPC) in York County, where long-term, relationship-based coaching is helping individuals move from crisis toward economic independence.
CPC’s Self-Sufficiency program reflects the strength of shared learning across the Community Action network. As the model took shape, CPC connected with peers across the state, including Bucks County Opportunity Council Executive Director Erin Lukoss, who had previously developed a Self-Sufficiency framework. With that foundation and Erin’s guidance, CPC President/CEO Robin Rohrbaugh led the development of a Self-Sufficiency program uniquely tailored to York County families.
Since launching in 2019, CPC has served 3,573 individuals through coaching, supporting participants as they pursue education, stable housing, financial security, and career advancement. Today, demand continues to grow, with more than 100 people currently waiting to be connected to a coach.
Throughout, CPC has been amplifying these stories on their social media channels, sharing short videos that highlight what progress, resilience, and partnership look like in real life.
Celebrating Progress and Possibility
That momentum was on full display at CPC’s inaugural Self-Sufficiency Celebration, held on September 25, 2025 at the Yorktowne Hotel as part of the agency’s 60th anniversary year.
The event brought together 150+ attendees, including community leaders, elected officials, partners, staff, and families, to celebrate both individual achievements and collective impact.
CPC honored:
Five Progress Honorees, recognized for meaningful steps toward stability
Three Self-Sufficiency Honorees, who achieved long-term economic independence
Collectively, the Self-Sufficiency Honorees increased their income by more than $72,000 over an average of four years…an investment not only in their families, but in the local economy.
“I have grown so much. I have purpose now. I know where I’m going and what I want to accomplish. CPC helped me keep going when I wanted to quit…and now my children get to see what’s possible.”
“I came to CPC broken… Now, I can boldly say to anyone: I am proof that if you stick with it and have incredible support…you can make your dreams a reality.”
Videos from the celebration, including stories from honorees and reflections from corporate partners, are available on CPC’s YouTube channel, continuing to extend the impact of the evening beyond the room.
Lifting Leaders Who Advance the Work
This Poverty Awareness Month also gives us the opportunity to recognize leaders who elevate anti-poverty efforts across systems.
Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of Bucks County Opportunity Council, was named CAAP’s 2025 Anti-Poverty Advocate of the Year for her consistent public commitment to advancing solutions that reduce poverty statewide.
Erin’s advocacy spans community engagement and state-level policy conversations. She champions resources, mobilizes partners, and ensures the voice of Community Action is present where decisions are made. Her leadership demonstrates how shared models, mentorship, and collaboration strengthen programs far beyond a single agency or county.
Moving Forward Together
The stories coming out of York County, and across Pennsylvania, remind us that progress happens when systems are designed to support people for the long term.
Poverty Awareness Month is not just about awareness. It’s about recognizing what works, investing in proven approaches, and continuing to learn from one another as a statewide network.
Community Action is doing that work every day…building stability, strengthening communities, and helping people move forward with dignity.
