Aside from positive thinking and being around more positive people, in my life and even in my friends lives too-since we have a lot in common I and they try to look at things that I can change myself and that they can try to change themselves to try the break the cycle of poverty and to be a good role model.

For example, I grew up around A LOT of negative people as well but never let it hold me back emotionally and trust me, that's so hard! Since its much easier said than done! :) . I've always valued being a resourceful and independent person, education and the arts and made those values one of my many main priorities in life

For instance, I wasn't raised to going to the zoo, theater, aquarium or any other cultural type activities nor that college was an option. So once I started making my own money I always made it a priority to go a cultural or art event in my area that would improve my mind & spirit & get outside my comfort zone. Since a lot of cultural events or exhibits in my area don't cost much or are free certain times of the year--unlike I was told growing up that only "people with money" went to such events; I wasn't held back by anyone else's negativity. I could always enjoy the event either alone or w/ my friends and feel more empowered leaving & then take it upon myself to read and research more info about the event I went to.

The same w/ college. Once I got my foot through the door I worked hard at 3 jobs to pay for it. It surely wasn't easy by any means, but no matter how negative others were, I always knew that I was taking a positive step in the right direction & that my education isn't something that anyone else can destroy negatively I worked hard for it I earned it & my degrees only have my name on it (and the school's too, of course) LOL! :)

Lastly, as for family, friends and my community, I live by the theory that "You can't pick and choose your relatives or how they'll act (positively or negatively) but you can ALWAYS choose how you re-act to them" For me that means that Moving forward to more positive things means leaving negative people--family & friends included--behind To me constant negativity allows no room for emotional growth or development nor for emotional closure so leaving miserable people behind allows me to focus on achieving my own happiness since I make it a priority

As with community, I do try to volunteer & donate to causes that are important to me like animal shelters, crisis centers & health facilities etc . For me I'm a firm believer that people are only truly blessed in life when they give of themselves to others (ie showing kindness/compassion for others through time and effort), & don't live their life with their hands out always wanting something in return!. Through my many years of volunteer work & even donating, I've been able to connect with others in my community and be the positive change I wish I had growing up since I can't changed how I was raised but my future and happiness are always in my own hands.

Finally, as I got older my role models were always someone who encouraged society to be good leaders and role models like Oprah--I read her magazine, Kimora--her book Fabulosity is really good!, Ellen--she always encourages people to do good and giveback, Michelle Obama--I like her "Get Fit" campaign, Rachael Ray--I read her magazines too and love to cook LOL! and Queen Latifah--I like how she really softened her image through the years to be more positive and wrote a great book. :)

Speaking of books, I also make it a priority to read & buy self-help books that positively focus on building self-esteem, self-image building & positive character

I guess what I'm trying to say is that over coming poverty comes from within, often times in some cases being your own best friend and believing in yourself are the key. I find that those that I know who are ALWAYS negative & unhappy are the ones missing out on my life. I'm not missing out on theirs. Being negative is always easy, but being positive takes a lot of work & effort LOL! :)

The older I get the more I can say I've had a lot of wonderful & positive experiences that have helped me enrich my life and the nay-sayers can't nor can their children, which is truly sad.

Overcoming poverty doesn't mean that I'm rich and well-off materially or financially by any means but knowing that I put in the true effort to make both myself and my own happiness a priority is worth more its weight in solid gold. Material things come and go in life My positive self-esteem is surely going to last me a lifetime! ;)

Good Luck! :)

Have you a Circles groupo in your area?
http://www.thinktank-inc.org/services.html
They're generally run by the community action agency in a particular area.
I'm a in one such program and about to be matched with my allies HTHs

Read the book "Bridges out of Poverty" by Ruby Payne.

sweat pea people become negative when something bad happen to them. I am sure you didn't have to endure, rape, sex slavery, beatings, health hazards, fire hazards or any severe traumatic event... so it is easy for you to stay positive... you have no clue how bad life can be for some people ....homeless or no....homeless without abuse/violence is much easier to endure and so positivity is easy to get... how lucky you are to have such a easy life ...abuse free! stop judging!!!!! you don't know what negative people have been through.. something change people emotions from positive to negative... you are so freaking clueless!!!!

Okay this is an old post but I couldn't resist replying, especially as the latest post is only 6 months old. For me I was once completely alone without family for 6 months due to constant negativity and criticism, poor but at least I lived in a furnished room and a job that really didn't pay well. It was strange being alone but that six months was so great and made me strong again so I could re-connect with my family from a much stronger position as I was stronger in myself. What really helped me was doing voluntary work at a hospital and with animals - made me so grateful and happy.

Hey, you are amazing, intelligent, and worth the time of day for any one both personally and professionally. I'm a 37 African American female from MD who now understands the incredible value of a college degree. It's so needed in the work force. It makes the difference between really working hard and not working hard at all but just observing others work hard. Here's some real fantastic info that will help you get your college degree. Penn Foster and Asworth College of online, pay as you and at your own pace plans for all sorts of nationally accredited college degrees. Check them out on line. There is hope for you.

Personally. I'm new here, and I am going through a lot. But others are going throughost worse. I am always posative! And in my opinion the only way to solve poverty would be to solve greed. Greed is the cause of poverty. The story goes, every family had 6 cows to breed. 1 family's cows got sick and died. That family goes to a person who turned their 6 cows into 12 and asks for some cows so their family can eat. The family saw value in the cows and set a price. Therefore poverty was created. Greed=poverty