Poverty is often discussed in cold, hard numbers—percentages, statistics, income brackets. But the real experience of poverty is deeply human, emotional, and often invisible. It’s the gnawing worry of not having enough, the crushing feeling of being left out, and the constant struggle to stay afloat. Poverty isn’t just about financial struggle—it’s about survival, dignity, and belonging. That’s why it’s important to talk about it— in real, raw conversations where people can share their experiences and hopes.
One of the most powerful places to have these conversations is in community spaces, like the zine workshops we’ve been hosting, spaces where people come together, listen, share, and understand each other’s experiences. Through art and conversation, people have opened up about the emotional and physical toll of poverty and how it impacts their daily lives while also thinking about a future that has enough for all.
Hearing someone else’s story helps break down the walls of isolation and builds a sense of community. Zines are an expression of a part of someone’s story —drawing, writing, and creating art that reflects hopes and struggles. These zines are powerful tools for communication. They are personal, tangible records of lived experience, and they have the power to change how we think about poverty, inequality, and community.
In our time building zines, we heard from community members about what poverty means to them. This is what we heard:
Lack of Basic Needs and Resources: At its core, poverty means going without essential resources. Imagine the uncertainty of opening your pantry and wondering if you’ll have enough to make a meal or living in housing that doesn’t feel safe because there’s no better option within reach. For many people, this is a daily reality. Conversations about basic needs go beyond simply pointing out what’s missing—it’s about understanding how the absence of food, shelter, and healthcare affects well-being. When access to these things isn’t guaranteed, it's more than just struggling to make ends meet; it’s about constantly navigating survival. This isn't just about money; it’s about dignity, health, and stability.
Systemic Barriers and Inequality: It’s easy to talk about working hard to get ahead, but for many, the path to opportunity is blocked. Think about the times where, despite your best efforts, the systems around you seemed to push back harder. For some, barriers to health, education, and employment aren’t just challenges to overcome—they’re built into the fabric of the system itself. This isn’t about individual failure; it's about the structures that make thriving more difficult for some than others.
Emotional and Social Isolation: Have you ever felt disconnected from those around you? Imagine that sense of isolation stretching on, not just from lack of resources, but from a feeling of being on the outside of your own community. Poverty can deepen that sense of being unseen or unheard, affecting mental and emotional well-being.
The Zine Workshops are part of a larger conversation—a movement to Build Enough for All Futures, where everyone has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need. We’ve been listening to stories that challenge our assumptions about poverty, that dig deep into the emotional and social impact of being unable to meet basic needs. We’ve been exploring questions like: “What does poverty mean to you? How does it impact relationships, mental/physical health, and personal dreams? And most importantly, how can we influence change?” Community voices represent the hope that we can, and will, build a future where everyone has enough—resources, opportunities, dignity, and belonging in community.
In 2023, the Enough for All strategy received a traditional Blackfoot name, iih kanii tai staiiwa (ee-skunit-des-si), it means everything is there. The concept of iih kanii tai staiiwa deepens our understanding about having everything we need; that there is enough for all.
Whether you've attended one of our workshops or have your own experiences to share, we want to hear from you. What stories do you carry? How has poverty shaped your life or the lives of those around you? How do you envision a future where everyone has enough?
Explore some of these questions with us at Zine Fest: Building Enough for All Futures on Thursday, October 17, where we’ll celebrate creativity, community, and the power of art to inspire social change. Together, we’ll unveil the Enough for All Community Zine Mural and hear from artists and performers who are using their voices to challenge the systems that keep so many in poverty.
