The Working Poor

Series produced by WCPN

Caption: Murrow logo and Working Poor title page., Credit: Working Poor title page designed by Jennifer Juan, ideastream.
Image by: Working Poor title page designed by Jennifer Juan, ideastream. 
Murrow logo and Working Poor title page. 

The "working poor" are people who have a job - maybe even several - yet are barely scraping by. They’re often invisible... mopping the floors after closing, taking fares at a parking garage, or frying your burger behind the counter. ideastream's Brian Bull shares these profiles in the short, National Murrow Award-winning series The Working Poor.

The "working poor" are those individuals who have a job - maybe even several - yet are barely scraping by. They’re often invisible... mopping the floors after closing, taking fares at a parking garage, or frying your burger behind the counter.

Politicians, economists, and reporters have tossed about the term, "working poor", often in a very general sense. Our aim was to capture the voices of real people struggling to makes ends meet, to humanize this term and let our audience relate to them on a more personal level.

ideastream's Brian Bull shares these profiles in the short, National Murrow Award-winning series The Working Poor.


5 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
The Working Poor V: An Interview with 'Working Poor' Author David K. Shipler
From: WCPN
Series: The Working Poor
Caption: David K. Shipler, Credit: From David K. Shipler's blog
The former New York Times reporter talks about his research and experience with America's struggling working class.

Bought by KUER, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and WXAV 88.3FM Chicago


  • Added: Jul 02, 2014
  • Length: 03:18
  • Purchases: 3
The Working Poor IV: Marilyn
From: WCPN
Series: The Working Poor
Caption: Marilyn Lombardo in her backyard., Credit: Brian Bull, WCPN.
For many senior citizens, the "Golden Years" are meant to be lived comfortably. One retires, takes things easy, maybe catches up with kids and gra...

Bought by KUER, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and WXAV 88.3FM Chicago


  • Added: Jul 02, 2014
  • Length: 04:10
  • Purchases: 3
The Working Poor III: Bridget
From: WCPN
Series: The Working Poor
Caption: Bridget Gibbons and her belongings., Credit: Brian Bull, WCPN.
When you think of someone who's part of America's "working poor", you may picture a high school or college dropout. It's generally assumed that th...

Bought by KUER, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, and WTJU


  • Added: Jul 02, 2014
  • Length: 04:10
  • Purchases: 4
The Working Poor II: Brushawn
From: WCPN
Series: The Working Poor
Caption: Brushawn Fletcher at Green City Growers., Credit: Brian Bull, WCPN.
An ex-felon and former car salesman works two jobs to rebuild his life and hopefully some day reunite with his daughter.

Bought by KUER, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and WXAV 88.3FM Chicago


  • Added: Jul 02, 2014
  • Length: 04:03
  • Purchases: 3
The Working Poor I: Natasha and Robin
From: WCPN
Series: The Working Poor
Caption: Natasha Wynn high-fives her daughter, Robin., Credit: Brian Bull, WCPN.
A single mom working a fast-food job aims high.

Bought by KUER, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, and WTJU


  • Added: Jul 02, 2014
  • Length: 04:13
  • Purchases: 4

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