One of the quickest ways to poverty is financial ruin. With the recent rush of foreclosures, and the failing HOPE for Homeowners Program (which makes it optional for lenders to participate), there are more people headed for poverty than ever. Worst yet, as more homes become victims to the economy, entire neighborhoods become ghettos of empty homes boarded up and vandalized.

The hardest hit

Amidst the various New Year and Christmas celebrations, it was hard not to notice some big changes between 2007 and 2008.

There were fewer stores to shop at. There were over half a million more unemployed professionals this year. Less students packed for college and more people paid rising utility bills instead of buying gifts. To top things off, lines at food pantries have doubled in some

Many people see a homeless person on the streets, and they think that such a situation could never happen to them. Recently, PBS chronicled vital statistics databases and homeless shelters all across the U.S. to determine the biggest causes of homelessness.

Lack of adequate health care is right at the top of the list. 1/3 of Americans have no health insurance, and most of these are low-income