Poverty elimination group changes name, focus to reflect collaborative approach

GUELPH – The Guelph and Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination has changed its name to the Guelph and Wellington Poverty Elimination Collaborative (PEC).

A news release from the advocacy organization says the change goes beyond a name – it also signals a renewed focus on a “stronger, more collaborative movement for change.”

The collaborative brings together people with lived experience, community organizations, service providers and decision makers, the new release says, to get closer to eliminating poverty. 

The organization is using a collaborative model that focuses on “intersectional lived experience.”

Combining race, gender, disability and class with evidence and advocacy, the new release claims, the model will advance policy change and solutions.

“Our new name and model represent renewed commitment to collaborative action,” said PEC co-chairs Naima Mohamood and Leen Al-Habash.

PEC Community Voices co-chairs Maggie Phelan and Sharon Felker said their experiences provide “unique knowledge about what works and what doesn’t.”

A focus on reality allows for more practical, just and effective solutions, Phelan and Felker said.

The news release said the PEC advances “upstream solutions” to community partners dealing with livable incomes, decent work, affordable housing and homelessness.