NPR People: Pam Fessler http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100470&ft=1&f=2100470 Pam Fessler is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk. She covers poverty and philanthropy for NPR. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:38:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Pam Fessler http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100470&ft=1&f=2100470 yes Political Foes Team Up To Improve Voter Registration Advisers from recent Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns have joined together to try to come up with a better way to register voters. In the future, for example, a voter's record could be automatically updated when he or she moves. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:38:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120033345&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120033345&ft=1&f=2100470 Advisers from recent Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns have joined together to try to come up with a better way to register voters. In the future, for example, a voter's record could be automatically updated when he or she moves. 265 no Advisers from recent Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns have joined together to try to come up with a better way to register voters. In the future, for example, a voter's record could be automatically updated when he or she moves.

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]]> Hugs Help Reporter Embrace A New Beat NPR correspondent Pam Fessler recently switched from reporting about homeland security to covering poverty — and that has involved many changes. But one has been especially striking: She gets a lot more hugs. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113611258&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113611258&ft=1&f=2100470 NPR correspondent Pam Fessler recently switched from reporting about homeland security to covering poverty — and that has involved many changes. But one has been especially striking: She gets a lot more hugs. 171 no NPR correspondent Pam Fessler recently switched from reporting about homeland security to covering poverty — and that has involved many changes. But one has been especially striking: She gets a lot more hugs.

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]]> ACORN Starts To Feel Funding Freeze At ACORN Housing's North Philadelphia office, staffers worry that they may no longer be able to help the poor keep their homes if the funding freeze becomes permanent. The ACORN affiliate has already had to scale back some of its services. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113809460&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113809460&ft=1&f=2100470 At ACORN Housing's North Philadelphia office, staffers worry that they may no longer be able to help the poor keep their homes if the funding freeze becomes permanent. The ACORN affiliate has already had to scale back some of its services. 329 no At ACORN Housing's North Philadelphia office, staffers worry that they may no longer be able to help the poor keep their homes if the funding freeze becomes permanent. The ACORN affiliate has already had to scale back some of its services.

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]]> ACORN Donations Dwindle In Wake Of Videos ACORN, the troubled anti-poverty group, is fighting to survive. Its government funding is threatened, and so is the money it receives from foundations and other donors. Several major funders say that they've ended or are reassessing ties with the group. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113387945&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113387945&ft=1&f=2100470 ACORN, the troubled anti-poverty group, is fighting to survive. Its government funding is threatened, and so is the money it receives from foundations and other donors. Several major funders say that they've ended or are reassessing ties with the group. 247 no ACORN, the troubled anti-poverty group, is fighting to survive. Its government funding is threatened, and so is the money it receives from foundations and other donors. Several major funders say that they've ended or are reassessing ties with the group.

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]]> Study: CEO Salaries At Nonprofits Up In 2008 Some charitable givers close their wallets when they learn of the sky-high salaries made by some nonprofit CEOs. A new study shows that the top pay at the nation's largest nonprofits rose again in 2008. The organizations say high pay is necessary to attract top talent. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113184003&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113184003&ft=1&f=2100470 Some charitable givers close their wallets when they learn of the sky-high salaries made by some nonprofit CEOs. A new study shows that the top pay at the nation's largest nonprofits rose again in 2008. The organizations say high pay is necessary to attract top talent. 292 no Some charitable givers close their wallets when they learn of the sky-high salaries made by some nonprofit CEOs. A new study shows that the top pay at the nation's largest nonprofits rose again in 2008. The organizations say high pay is necessary to attract top talent.

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]]> ACORN Grapples With Fallout Of Damaging Videos The community-organizing group is under fire after its employees were caught on camera appearing to advise a couple posing as a prostitute and pimp how to buy a house without letting anyone know it's being used for prostitution. ACORN's CEO says the group will have an independent investigator look into what happened, but she also says it's the target of a broad, right-wing attack. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112904370&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112904370&ft=1&f=2100470 The community-organizing group is under fire after its employees were caught on camera appearing to advise a couple posing as a prostitute and pimp how to buy a house without letting anyone know it's being used for prostitution. ACORN's CEO says the group will have an independent investigator look into what happened, but she also says it's the target of a broad, right-wing attack. 260 no The community-organizing group is under fire after its employees were caught on camera appearing to advise a couple posing as a prostitute and pimp how to buy a house without letting anyone know it's being used for prostitution. ACORN's CEO says the group will have an independent investigator look into what happened, but she also says it's the target of a broad, right-wing attack.

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]]> Videos Put ACORN Under Pressure The Senate votes to block the community organizing group ACORN from receiving HUD grants. The move comes after hidden-camera videos captured ACORN employees giving advice on falsifying taxes to conservative activists posing as a pimp and prostitute. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112861643&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112861643&ft=1&f=2100470 The Senate votes to block the community organizing group ACORN from receiving HUD grants. The move comes after hidden-camera videos captured ACORN employees giving advice on falsifying taxes to conservative activists posing as a pimp and prostitute. 262 no The Senate votes to block the community organizing group ACORN from receiving HUD grants. The move comes after hidden-camera videos captured ACORN employees giving advice on falsifying taxes to conservative activists posing as a pimp and prostitute.

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]]> Poverty Rates Highest Since 1997 Almost 40 million people in the U.S. lived in poverty last year, the first full year of the recession, according to a new report from the Census Bureau. Some say the numbers are grimmer than expected — and that the news will only get worse. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:24:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112725009&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112725009&ft=1&f=2100470 Almost 40 million people in the U.S. lived in poverty last year, the first full year of the recession, according to a new report from the Census Bureau. Some say the numbers are grimmer than expected — and that the news will only get worse. 242 no Almost 40 million people in the U.S. lived in poverty last year, the first full year of the recession, according to a new report from the Census Bureau. Some say the numbers are grimmer than expected — and that the news will only get worse.

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]]> In New York City, Poverty Defined In New Terms New York City is one of the first places in the country to take into consideration child and health care costs as well as geographic differences when measuring poverty. Backers of New York's method want the federal formula to reflect these real world costs. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112641330&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112641330&ft=1&f=2100470 New York City is one of the first places in the country to take into consideration child and health care costs as well as geographic differences when measuring poverty. Backers of New York's method want the federal formula to reflect these real world costs. 466 no New York City is one of the first places in the country to take into consideration child and health care costs as well as geographic differences when measuring poverty. Backers of New York's method want the federal formula to reflect these real world costs.

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]]> Kennedy Laid To Rest Edward Kennedy, who served in the Senate for almost half a century and came from the nation's most storied political family, has been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112384522&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112384522&ft=1&f=2100470 Edward Kennedy, who served in the Senate for almost half a century and came from the nation's most storied political family, has been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. 262 no Edward Kennedy, who served in the Senate for almost half a century and came from the nation's most storied political family, has been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

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]]> Sen. Kennedy Spent Life Defending 'Little Guy' Senator Edward Kennedy came from one of America's wealthiest and most privileged families. But he was one of the most vocal advocates for the poor and underprivileged. The senator's friends and colleagues say it was no political act — that he truly empathized with those facing hard times. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112281174&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112281174&ft=1&f=2100470 Senator Edward Kennedy came from one of America's wealthiest and most privileged families. But he was one of the most vocal advocates for the poor and underprivileged. The senator's friends and colleagues say it was no political act — that he truly empathized with those facing hard times. 315 no Senator Edward Kennedy came from one of America's wealthiest and most privileged families. But he was one of the most vocal advocates for the poor and underprivileged. The senator's friends and colleagues say it was no political act — that he truly empathized with those facing hard times.

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]]> Advocates Push To Include The Homeless In Medicaid Most homeless people lack insurance and rely on the emergency room and government-funded clinics for treatment. Advocates say the existing system is both inadequate and expensive for taxpayers, and that expanding Medicaid to include the homeless is a better option. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112177360&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112177360&ft=1&f=2100470 Most homeless people lack insurance and rely on the emergency room and government-funded clinics for treatment. Advocates say the existing system is both inadequate and expensive for taxpayers, and that expanding Medicaid to include the homeless is a better option. 306 no Most homeless people lack insurance and rely on the emergency room and government-funded clinics for treatment. Advocates say the existing system is both inadequate and expensive for taxpayers, and that expanding Medicaid to include the homeless is a better option.

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]]> Sen. Cardin Feels Heat On Health Care Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), who has been supportive of calls to remake the health care system, has been getting a earful about the overhaul from seniors and others concerned about what they have been hearing. People began arriving at Hagerstown Community College more than four hours before the scheduled start of the meeting. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111831753&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111831753&ft=1&f=2100470 Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), who has been supportive of calls to remake the health care system, has been getting a earful about the overhaul from seniors and others concerned about what they have been hearing. People began arriving at Hagerstown Community College more than four hours before the scheduled start of the meeting. 247 no Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), who has been supportive of calls to remake the health care system, has been getting a earful about the overhaul from seniors and others concerned about what they have been hearing. People began arriving at Hagerstown Community College more than four hours before the scheduled start of the meeting.

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]]> Health Care Fight Spotlights Community Organizers The Virginia Organizing Project is one of many community organizing groups that hoped to have more clout after the election of President Obama, a former organizer. And VOP has now found itself swept up in the biggest organizing effort of the year. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111104637&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111104637&ft=1&f=2100470 The Virginia Organizing Project is one of many community organizing groups that hoped to have more clout after the election of President Obama, a former organizer. And VOP has now found itself swept up in the biggest organizing effort of the year. 269 no The Virginia Organizing Project is one of many community organizing groups that hoped to have more clout after the election of President Obama, a former organizer. And VOP has now found itself swept up in the biggest organizing effort of the year.

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]]> State Welfare Rolls Feel Impact Of Recession Welfare caseloads have been going up in most states over the past year, but not in all of them. In fact, cases are going down in some of the hardest-hit areas. That's raised questions about whether the program is an adequate safety net for families in need. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:21:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106223933&ft=1&f=2100470 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106223933&ft=1&f=2100470 Welfare caseloads have been going up in most states over the past year, but not in all of them. In fact, cases are going down in some of the hardest-hit areas. That's raised questions about whether the program is an adequate safety net for families in need. 246 no Welfare caseloads have been going up in most states over the past year, but not in all of them. In fact, cases are going down in some of the hardest-hit areas. That's raised questions about whether the program is an adequate safety net for families in need.

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