Poverty Fighter Steps Down

Marilyn Ondrasik retired last week from a job she has held for 17 years: executive director of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition. Hundreds gathered to thank her in words and even in song.

More than 80 organizations, churches and others make up BCAC's membership. Under Ondrasik's longtime leadership, the group became a lobbying force, leading busloads of parents to Hartford during budget season, for example, to push for more education funding.

BCAC also developed into a first-class think tank, generating data that go into its annual State of the Child Report Cards. They show grades--many failing--as indicators of child well being: quality daycare, housing, dropout rates, education, safe environment, safe housing. The report highlights the huge disparities between Bridgeport's children and children statewide.

Connecticut as a whole has long been one of the wealthiest states in the nation. Census data released last week show that's still true. But its cities are a different story, especially during this recession.

Poverty rates are measured as families of four living on less than $21,000 a year. Those rates have jumped significantly since 2007, say the Census figures, in places like Stamford, Norwalk and Danbury. From 13 percent to 16 percent of those under the age of 18 in those cities are now living in poverty. But in Bridgeport that number is 28 percent.

That's a lot of kids missing out on a lot of necessities, to say nothing of the extras in life. The fight against urban poverty is a complex one and BCAC will continue it. But its most enthusiastic cheerleader for Bridgeport's children will be sorely missed.