Can one man move a mountain? Well, he can certainly try. I’m sharing news of the launch of a new nonprofit, Fight for a Living Wage.
My friends have decided I’m crazy to spend my retirement years on such an audacious effort, but I can no longer stand by and watch as so many across our nation struggle to survive. Our systems are stacked against my children – and yours. There’s little hope that our politicians will change things in favor of those who need it most.
My effort is nonpartisan. It’s about taking action to demand that all Americans have a living wage – not a minimum wage, but a living wage that allows them to afford food, shelter, healthcare, childcare, transportation and other necessities like clothing and personal care items.
In January, Arizona raised the minimum wage to $14.35 an hour. How many of us could survive on that amount? One study indicates that for a family of four in Arizona with two working adults and two children, the living wage is $24 an hour – or $81,307.
Our launch event is Saturday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m. at Beanchain Coffee, 1110 W. Southern Ave., Mesa. Why Mesa and not my hometown of Fountain Hills? Beanchain Coffee is an excellent example of how one person can make a difference. A worker-directed organization, Beanchain is a concept created by David Baxter and his wife, Shannon. David led a hard-knock life with no one but himself to raise up out of poverty. He decided long ago that when given the chance, he would find a way to help others gain economic footing.
I hope you will join us this Saturday to learn more – and learn how you might become involved. Watch for news about future presentations in Fountain Hills and Scottsdale.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
