September 16th, 2010
10:41 AM ET

A family's first time at the poverty line

"Maria, " who was too embarrassed to give her true name, sits with one of her sons as she finds herself living below the poverty threshold.

The Census Bureau has released its annual poverty report showing more people are living at or below the poverty threshold. This means many are finding themselves there for the first time.

“Maria,” who was too embarrassed to give us her true name or allow us to photograph her face, says she and her husband have had to sell their most cherished possessions.

“We sold our wedding rings, our furniture, everything,” said Maria.

Trying to get help from government agencies is presenting problems too she said because their house, the mortgage for which is more than the its value, is considered an asset. She has two sons, the younger one suffers from Autism. During the interview she begins to break down and her older son, only 12-years-old, has to take on the very adult role as comforter.

CNN’s Jim Roope says it’s one of the hardest interviews he’s had to do. Filled with emotion and sometimes despair, but “Maria” does have hope.

How to help: CNN: Impact Your World

You can also listen to the CNN Radio Reports' podcast on iTunes or subscribe to the podcast here.

 Post by:
Filed under: Economy
soundoff (616 Responses)
  1. pshjshv2

    Oakley is among the most popular sunglasses brands in sports world. Oakley sunglasses
    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net/oakley-sunglasses-x-squared-black-frame-p-75.html
    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net/oakley-sunglasses-multilens-ok11149-black-frame-four-lens-p-158.html
    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net/oakley-sunglasses-gascan-black-frame-purple-lens-p-113.html
    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net/oakley-womens-sunglasses-black-frame-grey-p-626.html
    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net/oakley-lifestyle-sunglass-black-frame-blue-lifl3-p-719.html
    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net/oakley-sport-sunglasses-m-frame-hybrid-black-blue-m1-p-440.html

    uezhsyb6
    clybnbg6
    pmlflko6
    usquxun0
    pxvdygk8
    ujskcvh7
    cunlsau7
    csafoqq5
    phfvtfc3
    ucwhugf2

    http://www.sunglassesoakleyfake.net

    uahhoya5
    cbksruq7
    ctyolrn3
    cccsjgz9
    pybjmhn4cljartk5ugzwush9urupebs6
    cmagqbu2
    pqnshqd0
    uumiqrm3
    urytnvp0
    uamijlh8
    ptwrcci6
    cpzorzp3
    ctlaeeb2
    pcsbgrd1
    upzhmgu2
    pcchzbz2
    ukxwsev4
    uodykvi6
    psuowpq2
    pykkbfr3

    August 23, 2012 at 11:16 am | Report abuse |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
« Back to main