Couric & Co.
May 13, 2008 3:24 PM

Struggling With Poverty In "The Other America"

(CBS)
Seth Doane is a CBS News correspondent based in New York.
My boss gave me the opportunity to travel anywhere in the country to look for stories that “we’re not telling." It was as assignment to explore how hard-working folks are struggling to survive. We’re calling it "The Other America.”

I decided to make Mississippi the first stop on my journey because there is a higher percentage of people living below the poverty line in this state than any other in the U.S. Once I landed in Jackson, I headed straight for the Mississippi River Delta – specifically Greenville – because it is one of the poorer parts of this state. The number of people living below the poverty line in Washington County, Miss., is roughly two and a half times the national average.

But where Greenville may lack in economic prosperity, it overflows in richness of culture and local hospitality.

I’d never been to this part of the United States and didn’t know anyone in Greenville, Miss. I knew I’d need a guide. The folks at a food bank in Jackson put me in touch with Greenville resident, Janette Garner. Janette took me under her wing and spent several days with me introducing me to people around town. Janette is a volunteer with St. Vincent De Paul’s local food pantry which is where I met Debra Locket, the mother of Jasmine Lafayette, who is featured in our piece.

(CBS)
Jasmine Lafayette
Debra has been disabled for more than a decade and scrapes by with the help of a few government benefit checks. She receives a disability check and her daughter Jasmine gets a monthly “death benefit” check because her father passed away. Together the benefit checks total less than a thousand dollars a month and Debra and Jasmine count on the charity of people like Janette Garner and the pantry at St. Vincent de Paul’s for clothing, food and basic supplies.

I was impressed to learn that despite all of the challenges of daily life, Jasmine was in the running to be class valedictorian at O’Bannon High School. (After our taping – it was announced that she was indeed the valedictorian).

The fact that Jasmine could juggle all of the struggles of daily life - including regularly leaving school to take care of her mom - and still excel at school was quite impressive. I thought it was a story of overcoming obstacles - a good one to tell.

I first met Jasmine at her high school. She was leaving early that day to help her mother. We stood in the parking lot of her school as she pulled together some loose change to try to get enough to buy a gallon of gasoline for the car. She told me, “It is hard to smile all the time because when you go home it’s something else. You know, your mom may not be feeling well or, you see her there literally like a clown, juggling – you’ve got the gas, you’ve got the gas ball, you got the light ball you got the water ball – you don’t know which one is going to be cut off.”

Every day Jasmine and her mother are forced to make difficult choices. Sometimes it’s as simple as can they afford to put gas in the car, heat the house, or put food on the table. They’re thankful for any assistance they get.

Jasmine plans to go to college and hopes that someday life won’t be as difficult as it is today.

“I know that whenever God brings his blessings along, I know that I will be able to be appreciative for it,” Jasmine says.



If you would like to offer help to those in our "The Other America" series, please e-mail your request here.
Tags:
seth doane ,
jasmine lafayette ,
debra locket ,
poverty ,
mississippi
Topics:
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Add a Comment See all 38 Comments
by evanstonjohn May 13, 2008 7:07 PM PDT
Can some one get me Jasmine address? I would love to send her a check for $100.00 to help with her expenses. What a story. I have way too much and wish to share. My home email address is marusman@prodigy.net. If I can''t get the address can we figure out a way for me to send money that WILL get to her and her mom. Thanks John Marus
Reply to this comment
by wanart May 13, 2008 7:12 PM PDT
I am glad CBS News had focused on this issue. After graduating from college I thought that I would be making alot of money and things would be great. I am doing ok and always keep in mind that we are all one paycheck from disaster. With the economy the way it is we all need to start tightining the belt. The so called stimulas payment was a joke. To Jasmine and the other young lady, stay focused, continue to work hard things will get better.
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by May 13, 2008 7:13 PM PDT
Hi. I was also touched by Jasmine''s story. I look at all my 17 year daughter has, but she is missing the strenght and vision Jasmine has and I would like to help too. My email is: Kelrish@aol.com. Thanks Kelly
Reply to this comment
by bookdragon May 13, 2008 7:14 PM PDT
John,
You had the same thought I did. It''s phenomenal that she does everything for her mom and still managed to graduate valedictorian. I Googled her school: O''Bannon High School, 1203 S. Raceway Rd, Greenville, MS, 38701, (662)335-2637. I plan to call tomorrow to ask if it''s okay for me to send a check to the school for Jasmine.
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by pebblepoint May 13, 2008 7:15 PM PDT
I''d like to know the name of the waitress that they interviewed.
Thanks.
Reply to this comment
by mzdawg May 13, 2008 7:18 PM PDT
I know the waitress'' name was Heaven. I would also like to know her name or a way to contact her.
Reply to this comment
by mzdawg May 13, 2008 7:18 PM PDT
I know the waitress'' name was Heaven. I would also like to know her name or a way to contact her.
Reply to this comment
by omnomnom-2009 May 13, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
I am from and currently live in Greenville or as I like to call it, Grimvale. I can assure you that sending $100 to one person helps that person but that barely scratches the surface of the issue.

There are around 60,000 people living in Washington county, Mississippi, which includes Greenville. A significant majority of this population lives in poverty.
Reply to this comment
by omnomnom-2009 May 13, 2008 7:27 PM PDT
If you would like to read about any local Greenville news stories, please check http://www.wxvt.com
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by sagen22 May 13, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
CBS please provide a PO Box address where we as viewers can send our donations to both young ladies. Thank you.
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by ucsb_dude May 13, 2008 7:38 PM PDT
I want to send $100.00 to Jasmaine as well. Can someone let me know how to send the money to Jasmine so I will make sure she gets it and it does not get tied up. This was a story that touched me...I am unemployed but I have to help.

I live in Sugar Land, TX and I want to help...Bill.Thomasson@comcast.net

Thanks
Reply to this comment
by vikwils May 13, 2008 7:42 PM PDT
I would also like to help both young ladies, Is there somewhere we can send the money or an address for both ladies. I would very much like to help someone at home. Thanks Victoria Wilson
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by ucsb_dude May 13, 2008 7:42 PM PDT
That''s a good idea...I will call the school as well in the morning

Bill
Reply to this comment
by bchs1973 May 13, 2008 7:44 PM PDT
I would also like to help both young ladies, Is there somewhere we can send the money or an address for both ladies.

lutha76306@yahoo.com
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by finerabbi May 13, 2008 7:46 PM PDT
Hi - I just spoke with Janette Garner, President of the Greenville (MS) St Vincent de Paul Society. She was willing to accept gas cards to pass along to help Jasmine and her mom. They have Texaco, Citgo and Exxon in Greenville near where the family lives. The St Vincent de Paul address is P O Box 1523 Greenville MS 38702-1523.
Blessings - Rabbi Chava Bahle
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by joegrigsby May 13, 2008 7:47 PM PDT
I was truly touched by the stores of these young ladies. I too would love to help them out.

Thanks-
Joe Grigsby
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by beachie2 May 13, 2008 7:48 PM PDT
This story was very touching. I feel very compelled to help these young ladies. Could you tell us how we can help?
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by finerabbi May 13, 2008 7:48 PM PDT
PS On sending gas cards (or other donations) -- please send them c/o Janette Garner @ St Vincent de Paul, per below, for the families.
Rabbi Chava
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by beachie2 May 13, 2008 7:53 PM PDT
Thank you Rabbi Chava Bahle
Reply to this comment
by beachie2 May 13, 2008 7:56 PM PDT
Anybody know how we can help Heaven Thronson as well?
Reply to this comment
by finerabbi May 13, 2008 8:06 PM PDT
There are 2 Thronson families in the Greenville white pages - perhaps start by contacting them? Or I suppose you see if the lady from St Vincent de Paul can help there as well,
Rabbi Chava
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by hollyfhollyf May 13, 2008 8:10 PM PDT
Rabbi Chava Bahle or anyone else
Do you have a phone number for Janette Garner @ St Vincent de Paul. Just to confirm that this P.O. Box is the correct address. Maybe even a website to confirm. Thanks !!
Reply to this comment
by branbrit2 May 13, 2008 8:15 PM PDT
John,
Thanks for the information on the school. I will call them tomorrow as well. Is there any information on the other young lady that was featured?
Frank
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by finerabbi May 13, 2008 8:16 PM PDT
I just spoke with her like 20 minutes ago and she confirmed that mailing address (which is a new one, not the old one from their web site), so it should be up to date as I listed it below.
This is all very inspiring that so many folks want to help these families out.
The broader question is: how do we address the underlying issues of poverty, social inequality and the economy?
Anyway contact info I provided was current as of 20 minutes or so ago!
Chava
Reply to this comment
by hollyfhollyf May 13, 2008 8:20 PM PDT
Hi There,
Does someone know Janette''s phone number at St. Vincent de Paul? I don''t want to start sending gas cards and other gifts to an unconfirmed P.O. Box. Thanks so much !!
Reply to this comment
by beachie2 May 13, 2008 8:24 PM PDT
I just Googled St Vincent de Paul of Greenville MS and it lists the phone number as 662-378-3105.
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by frogblues1 May 13, 2008 9:37 PM PDT
I saw this story tonight and was stuned to see T-Model ford playing his Pevay Razor guitar! I have some of his recordings. He is a blues great. Check him out at Fat Possum records. Great to see he is still going strong! I would love to jam with that guy for sure!

Peace.....
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by lisazautner May 13, 2008 9:58 PM PDT
I loved the outlook Jasmine had with her current situation. She didn''t complain and it just made me want to help her and her mother.
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by baristalove May 13, 2008 11:36 PM PDT
This is Heaven Thronson. My email address is Baristalove88@yahoo.com. I would like to thank everyone, as I''m sure Jasmine would, too. Seeing this gives me hope, and it shows that no matter how hard things are, and how horrible the world may seem at times, there are still wonderful people out there willing to help one another. Thank you all.
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by orlymes May 14, 2008 12:17 AM PDT
I was quite touched by the "Struggling With Poverty" segment of tonight''s newscast and would like to send Jasmine some money to help her to continue to be an agent of "change" in her and her mother''s life. Can you help me with an address or website where I can make a donation that would allow her to "fill her tank" and continue to put "food on their table" in order to help Jasmine realize her potential and assist in helping to make her dream of a better life come true!
Reply to this comment
by orlymes May 14, 2008 12:18 AM PDT
I was quite touched by the "Struggling With Poverty" segment of tonight''s newscast and would like to send Jasmine some money to help her to continue to be an agent of "change" in her and her mother''s life. Can you help me with an address or website where I can make a donation that would allow her to "fill her tank" and continue to put "food on their table" in order to help Jasmine realize her potential and assist in helping to make her dream of a better life come true!
Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 May 14, 2008 10:29 AM PDT



In late January 2006, Goldman Sachs purchased a stake in the Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China%u2019s biggest bank, for $2.58 billion
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson''''''''s .. Personal stake .. In this transaction
was $25 million

A PERSONAL BAIL OUT for : Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and His
Criminal Friends

(Mar 27, 2008 (ruters.com) BBC) ... White House Resists Pleas for .. Mortgage Bailout
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As clamor rises for federal help for homeowners
who face losing their homes .. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson .. Seems
to be digging in heels against the effort.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson sounded a tougher note than ever against any
possibility of bailout for individual mortgage holders, singling out the growing number
going "under water" as their loans exceed the diminishing value of their properties.

please this is a simple thing to fix, why are you bending over for all of the wallstreet scum.
you have the right to do what this paulson/ben did for wallstreet,saying they had to to save america. so you can say the same thing, but this time you would be saveing america, and not wallstreet.
you must come out and stop the forcloseing of all these millions of homes, now,
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MANDATE THAT ALL MORTGAGES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT FROM 2000 TO 2007 BY ALL AMERICANS TO BE RE-FI A.S.A.P. NO EXCEPTIONS,

Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 May 14, 2008 10:30 AM PDT

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MANDATE THAT ALL MORTGAGES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT FROM 2000 TO 2007 BY ALL AMERICANS TO BE RE-FI A.S.A.P. NO EXCEPTIONS,


NO MATTER WHAT THE CREDIT IS, THEY WILL RE-FI EVERYONE AT JUST OVER PRIME, AND AT A RATE OF 40% OF WHAT IS OWED ON THE PROPERTY( PERSONAL HOMES ONLY)!!
WHY, BECAUSE MOST HOST ARE SELLING AT FORCLOSER FOR 20 TO 30 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR, SO AS TO WHAT PAULSON SAID TO BEARSTEARN 2 DOLLARS IS BETTER THAN NO DOLLARS SO TAKE THE DEAL..NOW REMEMBER ALL OF YOU, IF THIS COMPANY IN 6 MONTHS LOST 98% OF THEIR VALUE FROM 700 BILLION TO WHAT IS IT NOW. AND FOR SOMEONE TO COME IN AND BUY IT FOR NOTHING, WHAT IS THE REAL VALUE OF ALL THESE HOMES???NOBODY KNOWS, SO WHY NOT JUST START OVER??? AND STOP THE BLEEDING FOR ALL AMERICANS.

FOR-AMERICA@HOTMAIL.COM
DAVID A BELANGER
FOR COMMON SENSE THIS IS SO EASY TO FIX DONT MAKE IT HARDER THAN IT IS PEOPLE.

AND LOOK AT THIS MORNINGS NEWS, THE GREAT POTATOHEAD PAULSON,AND BEN ARE IN TALKS WITH ANOTHER WALLSTREET FIRM GOING DOWN. MERRILL LYNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT MORE BAILOUTS FOR WALLSTREET COMING.

Reply to this comment
by svdpusa May 14, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
Thank you, Seth, for helping to make the poor visible. Americans are a very generous people, always ready to help. But they cannot help the poor if they don''t see them. This year the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is celebrating its 175th Anniversary. We''ve been friends of the poor for almost two centuries. We hope your viewers will join us and become friends of the poor, too.

Bob Duplantier, Communications Director
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
www.svdpusa.org
Reply to this comment
by ladyd63 May 14, 2008 10:56 AM PDT
I had the privilege of speaking directly with Jasmine Lafayette at O''Bannon High School this morning. She gave me permission to list her mailing address because I felt more comfortable mailing any donations directly to her and her mother rather than going through a third party,as several of you have expressed as well. Jasmine''s mailing address is:
P.O. Box 451
Metcalfe, MS 38760
Reply to this comment
by orlymes May 14, 2008 11:03 AM PDT
I was quite touched by the "Struggling With Poverty" segment of tonight''s newscast and would like to send Jasmine some money to help her to continue to be an agent of "change" in her and her mother''s life. Can you help me with an address or website where I can make a donation that would allow her to "fill her tank" and continue to put "food on their table" in order to help Jasmine realize her potential and assist in helping to make her dream of a better life come true!
Reply to this comment
by shaeb4278 May 14, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
I was also touched by the Poverty in America story. Sad to say that it is not only in MS. I live in MN and am stuggling to put food on our table. I have also only had my gas tank filled to the brim once and that was becasue of my Aunt. I live in middle America and make $40,000 (before taxes)a year and am a single mother raising 17 year old twins. I have always had multiple jobs and my kids stuggle all the time. I was recently told by Emergency assistance in MN that they can not help me with a $700 electricity bill and $700 gas bill from the long winter and no child support for 8 weeks. Because where I rent my house is considered unreasonably high for my house hold size. I live in a little 3 bedroom 1 bathroom house. I am so thankful that my land lord has not raised my rent in 3 years. I have not bought my kids clothes for over 2 years. We live on sandwichs and raman noodles. BUT, we are happy and very thankfull for what we do have. My kids are wonderful students and work very hard so they will not have to struggle when they are older. I guess I am sharing this because it is everywhere not just in MS.
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by bamagirl08-2009 May 15, 2008 3:32 PM PDT
Shae... times are tough all around, you are right. I currently live in a very (very) wealthy city in south Florida and there is an increasing amount of hardship around here. My family is from Greenville, I have watched as my family built their lives up out of nothing more than hope and love. Its not going to be easy, but we will make it through. You have something truly beautiful, a thankful heart.
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