In 2022, 6,523 people lived in poverty in Erath County, and this number has grown as expected for the past three years. To put this number in perspective, the Grand Ole Opry can only hold roughly 4,000 people, which leaves an additional 2,000+ individuals outside.
These individuals are our neighbor — who lost her husband last year who you wave hello to as you leave for work each morning, or the young man — at a
college youth event who always smiles at you when he sees you.
While we do support our own in our community, poverty requires a multi-sided approach. Welcome to Wholistic Investment Network, where we provide a network of services through our community partners.
In 2022, ~42,000 people called Erath County home, and created about 16,007 households.
Erath County has a poverty rate of 16.5%, above the state average of 13.7%, which means 2,641 households are living in poverty.
The average number of individuals in a household for the state is 2.47 which means ~6,523 people are living in poverty in our community in 2022. When we look at poverty many people see it as a one-sided problem, that being financial problems or housing insecurity.
The situation is that poverty is a multi-sided problem, from a lack of job training, medical care, mental health diagnosis, etc. Many of these individuals who
would benefit from our services are fearful to reach out due to the stigma revolving around asking for help.
These people may continue in silence walking by us in the grocery store or passing by us on the square and we may never know it.
Now as a community, Erath County is good with being a good neighbor and lending a helping hand to those in need. However, we seek to provide a
long-term approach to poverty and provide people with the resources they need in order to lift themselves from their situations.
These are our friends, family, coworkers, clients, church members, neighbors, and our community. These are the people who we see day in and day out.
We may not realize or know their circumstances, but each of us knows 100 people, from that group 16 individuals may be struggling with poverty, and we know
these individuals. We may not be able to call them by name but they are struggling.
Most individuals, if hit with a $1,000 emergency would struggle to recover, however, when compounded with another $250 medical bill or $500 car repair
anyone can end up in a state of poverty.
Many of these individuals have been dealt with poor situations by their families, such as a lack of education or training or poor nutrition in youth leading to poor health.
These circumstances create generational poverty which creates a loop of struggle for these individuals and their families, without guidance many don’t know the way out.
Meet W.I.N. Wholistic Investment Network, we are a hub to evaluate needs, offer emergency financial assistance, make referrals/appointments, budget, and case management.
We seek to address the root cause of poverty through a whole-person approach, evaluating each part of an individual's life and providing support and resources tailored to their needs.
We are partnered with over 30 organizations from Accel Health to The Gathering Place, allowing us to create this hub of hope.
Through our community partners, we are able to tailor and adapt our care to meet the needs of our clients, which allows us the ability to provide a
holistic approach to the problem of poverty.
We believe in supporting our local community and giving them the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty.
Poverty is not just a statistic, it’s a reality that affects our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family. It’s a challenge that goes beyond financial hardship,
touching every aspect of a person’s well-being.
But as a community, we have the power to create real change.
At Wholistic Investment Network, we believe that no one should have to struggle in silence. Through our network of over 30 community partners, we provide
the resources, support, and guidance needed to help individuals break free from the cycle of poverty.
The solution starts with awareness, compassion, and action. Whether you need support or want to be part of the change, W.I.N. is here to walk alongside you.
Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Erath County—one where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Join us in creating a future of hope and possibility.
Data Sources:
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/erath-county-tx#housing
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/erathcountytexas/POP645223