Hope And Change In Mississippi

In A City With A Poverty Rate 2.5 Times The National Average, Stories Of Desperation

(CBS)  For high school senior Jasmine Lafayette, hope and change aren't just political slogans. Hope is what she has and change is what she needs, CBS News correspondent Seth Doane reports.

"I know God has something better in store," she says.

Jasmine counts out quarters to put gas into her car.

"I try to do it before I make it to the gas station - because sometimes it can be kind of embarrassing," she said.

Her tank's never been full - she buys her gas one gallon at a time.

It's no wonder they call this part of America the home of the blues. The Mississippi Delta is rich in culture … but that's about it.

The poverty rate in Greenville, Miss., is about 2.5 times the national average. There's struggling nearly everywhere you look.

And in Greenville, poverty is color blind.

"it's my little bitty bathroom - again, no rod for the shower curtain, but again, no hot water anyway - so it doesn't matter too much," said Heaven Thronson.

There's not much to see touring her apartment.

"You have to be dirt-poor, living under a bridge for someone to say, you know, this person really needs help," Thronson said.

Does she feel like she needs help?

"Everybody does … but I believe I'm one of them," she said.

In her cupboards are spam, salt and pepper. That's it.

She applied for food stamps, but didn't qualify. Does she feel kind of caught in the middle?

"Like I'm getting screwed - because I'm working so hard to only come close to making ends meet," she said.

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Read more about Seth's reporting in Greensville on Couric & Co.

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She works hard at a café - a bit ironic, perhaps, given the state of her own cupboards.

"I think everyone in America, unless you're Bill Gates, struggles," she said.

Thronson dreams of owning the café one day, but making just more than $200 per week plus tips, that seems like a long-shot.

Across town, Jasmine Lafayette has a dream of her own: college.

She's at the top of her class, but her school day is interrupted two or three times a week because, at 17, she's the caregiver to her disabled mother.

"I just leave to go take care of business for her," Jasmine said. "Going to the doctor, getting bills paid, go pick up prescriptions. It's tough, because it's only me and her, and it's been like that ever since I've been in the world."

Her dad died before she was born - her mother's been disabled as long as she can remember.

They barely make it, living on benefits checks of less than $1,000 a month.

Today, the little bit of gas gave her the chance to get a little bit of food.

"We learned that if you just sit around and dwell in the state of depression and the state of where you are, 'oh, I don't have this, I don't have that,' well, look at the things that you do have," she said.

What Jasmine has most of all is a lot of hope, which might make up for having only a little bit of change.

[scully152]

smolmsted, while I agree with you that I think it is wrong to spend SO much on a presidential bid I differ from you on that I do not think it is their responsibility to give their money away to poor people. It is their money to do with as they wish. People have a responsibility to themselves and their families first. Many posts here mention wanting to give money to the girls in this article and I commend that. But how many of us truly can afford to do that. Not only that, when are people going to be responsable for their own actions (or lack there of). YES,, these women are trying to make a better life and I commend them for that. The article doesn''t mention them getting into any trouble in the past and THAT one fact will help them later on in life. With a criminal record one can hardly pass a CORI (criminal background check). People need to stay in school, study hard, ge good grades, GRADUATE, go to trade school or college, and then get a job. If they do not work and depend on the state for help they have no one to blame but themselves. It is the people who only ask for help when they truly need it (meaning they don''t usually ask for help) that I have more sympathy for. I do not like seeing these wlefare families (in EVERY state) that are on it for life.

[scully152]

I do agree with Queenkedas'' first comment about our country helping other countries poor people but cannot help our own poor people. I think THAT is wrong. We should help our own first and THEN if there is anything left over to help others with... then by all means, help others.

[scully152]

While I empathize with the girl in this article I cannot understand why people are so down like they are... and all in a concentrated area. I was once homeless myself but I lifted myself up and out. Though times are still tough overall things are going great enough so that my husband (who helped to lift me out of being homeless) and I are expecting another child together. People need to stay off drugs. I know thats hard to do, I have a cousin who died while high. But stay off the drugs and stay IN school. Go to a trade school or college. If you can''t afford to pay yourself you can always get loans and scholarships IF you study hard and get good grades. Or go into the service for crying out loud. But stay OUT of trouble.

[smolmsted]

How much money have ALL of the candidates spent this last year and half for this presidency bid? And people are living like this? We need to get our priorities straight.
WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

[smolmsted]

AND HOW MUCH HAS HILLARY and BARRACK spent on this bid for presidency? America needs to get their priorities back in order. Stop wasting all this needless money to feed someone''s ego and start feeding our own people!
WAKE UP, AMERICA!

[cakeladyb]

Please let me know how I can send a gift card to Jasmine and Haven. My email address is [e-mail]

[m9098830000]

I am a California resident in a county called San Bernardino. I am a parent of 4 children ages 7-16.
Unfortunately I am currently unemployed, but I am in search of employment. I must admit, it is always a wonderful thing to see others who are financially in the position to help those less fortunate. I was appauled at the insignificant comment made at the opening of the comment section. I tell you some people should be ashamed. Many of us are doing poorly, during these times. Some of us are just too ashamed and proud, than to tell others.I am a proud woman, but like the rest, I am trying to stay optimistic and positive. I will continue to search for employment through whatever means necessary. I want nothing but the best for my family. More importantly I want to show them the importance of remaining faithful, encouraged and focosed. I always remind my precious girls of the importance of an education and a plan, no matter the circumstances. For those who can relate to my story be encouraged and keep the faith. There is still hope for us yet! And so it is said.

[adm118]

First let me say that I was moved by the story. With that said, I am a resident of the city of Greenville and like all cities in this country we have our problems. Proverty is a huge problem not just in Greenville, but in the nation as a whole. This issue has been a dark spot in our country history for a long time and should be address in the upcoming election. One of the girls featured in this clip is not as poor as she claimed. They don''t have much but they are not starving. Actually her family is doing quite well.

[bamagirl08-2009]

By the way, there is an excellent organization by the name of Arms of Mercy based in Greenville that takes in men with addictions. They are doing their part to help these men clean up their lives and get off the streets. If we want to rebuild the city, we have to get these men and woman off the streets. Give them back their hope and equip them to work a job again and get their lives back.

[bamagirl08-2009]

For those of you asking why they are not covering poverty in the Gulfcoast of MS... let me ask you this, have you ever been to Greenville? I have, more times than i''d like to remember. If my family wasn''t born there, most lived there at one point in their lives. Greenville is a cesspool. Gambling and addictions are rampant. Most are living in the same poverished state as their families before them. The city of Greenville is lacking hope and motivation. Everytime I visit I don''t see change... but I remain hopeful for a better life for all that reside there. Blessings and love to you all.

[bbjbal]

Please give mailing information for both Jasmine and Heaven.E-mail asap..Thanks

[ssimmons84]

I would love to have my school and church offer a donation to both the young ladies featured in yesterday''s episode. Do they have contact information?

[ssimmons84]

I would love to have my school and church offer a donation to both the young ladies featured in yesterday''s episode. Do they have contact information?

[franbriggs-2009]

I love America. Still our values have most of us immunized against stories like this. CBS, after the coverage, was it like, "That''s a wrap"? Or were any resources shared with these ladies, and the millions of others who will watch who have with similar plights. I am inviting both of these ladies to contact me.

Respectfully,

Fran Briggs
http://franbriggs.com
[e-mail]

[ikiplagat]

i wanted to take up a scholarship in America to do graduate studies.I am declining! I think that money should be given to these downtrodden Americans.How can America spend billions of Dollars in Iraq and its people are paupers!! whats the difference with Africa and Asia???

[ssimmons84]

I would love to have my school and church offer a donation to both the young ladies featured in yesterday''s episode. Do they have contact information?

[ssimmons84]

I would love to have my school and church offer a donation to both the young ladies featured in yesterday''s episode. Do they have contact information?

[ktcox13]

Thanks for the story. It puts your life into perspective when you here others stories. Please tell me how I can get a gift card to Jasmine.

ktcox13

[ktcox13]

Thanks for the story. It puts your life into perspective when you here others stories. Please tell me how I can get a gift card to Jasmine.

[obamawhama]

To still have this kind of poverty in the wealthiest nation on Earth is a national disgrace!!!!!!!!



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Posted by noaanhc at 10:25 AM : May 14, 2008
+ report abuse


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actually ''to remain poor in the wealthiest nation on earth'' is patethic..

we have immigrants from every race come in and make moved from the poverty level to middle class..

to let a bleeding heart liberal ASSIST you out of poverty is a death sentence...just take a look at Mississippi


thier grand achievement (which is still at the works) is africa..