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CBS correspondent Seth Doane tapes Richelle Durham while she works on a Habitat for Humanity home Saturday in Longview. Cheryll A. Borgaard / The Daily News

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CBS features Longview family's battle against poverty

Sunday, September 7, 2008 1:07 AM PDT

By Cheryll A. Borgaard

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Seth Doane wanted to put a face on the staggering statistics of those trying to fight poverty in tough times.

He found one in Longview.

A correspondent for CBS Evening News in New York, Doane covers an ongoing weekly series called "The Other America," which profiles hardworking Americans struggling to get by.

He and a cameraman visited Richelle Durham and her family on Friday and Saturday to learn how she's saving for a down payment to buy a home through the Individual Development Account program, overseen by Lower Columbia CAP. He learned about the program through an Aug. 20 Daily News story that was distributed by The Associated Press.

"We've gone across the country chronicling tough economic times, and I've foundhat often there is no ability for them to look ahead; they're wondering how they're going to put food on the table," said Doane, 30. "But here's a program to try to change their mindset, to start looking ahead, to plan to build a cushion."

Durham, 38, has already used her IDA to help her purchase a car and a computer. The full-time legal assistant is attending Warner Pacific College in Portland to earn her bachelor's degree and is putting in hours with Habitat for Humanity to qualify for the program.

Though a little apprehensive before Doane arrived at her home, Durham said he and cameraman, Kevin Ely, put her and her children - a 17-year-old daughter, 13-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter - at ease. (She also has a 21-year-old away from home.)

"We'd had conversations on the phone prior to him coming to town, so I felt familiar with him," Durham said. "I also went to the Web site to see his other stories. I like what he portrayed of other people."

Doane also visited Friday with Liz Myntti, the IDA program manager for CAP.

"IDA is not a handout, it's a hand-up," Myntti said during her interview. "Richelle is a prime example of how to use resources to break that cycle of poverty."

Saturday, wrapping up his interview with Durham, Doane agreed.

"What she's done is incredibly hopeful," he said. "She's trying to make a better life and working hard to do it."

Now, Doane is back in New York, whittling down 3 1/2 hours of film and interviews into a three-minute slot that is scheduled to air Wednesday evening.

Durham of Kelso said she's excited to see what turns up in the story. "I think I will do something at my home, maybe gather up friends," she said.

Doane, whose previous stories include soup kitchens, food pantries, families facing foreclosure and people standing in long lines for free dental care, was attracted to Durham's story because of her triumphs.

"There are a lot of sad stories out there, and in some, I'm trying to find a nugget of hope, of people trying to pull themselves up by their boot straps," Doane said. "This was one of them."

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roudy russ wrote on Sep 7, 2008 7:38 AM:

" An IDA is a handout IMO. If you put two thousand dollars in the bank then the state and feds add four thousand dollars to it. I don't call someone with $2000.00 dollars poor. "

Cmonet17 wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:23 AM:

" I am so incredibly proud of Richelle! She deserves every kudo and good possibility that comes to her because she works so incredibly hard for every opportunity. She not only goes to college, is an exemplary mother and role model for the community, she works every day and brings a professionalism and attitude to my business that I have never been able to find anywhere else. I am richer for having known her and when she tells me that feels fortunate that I gave her the opportunity to be a legal assistant I know, in my heart, that I am the fortunate one.

Debbie Burchett "

Rural Citizen wrote on Sep 7, 2008 9:19 AM:

" Sad Stories... nugget of hope? I have news for the young people today. Back in the 1970's we young people (I'm in my 50's) were struggling with the SAME ECONOMIC COLLAPSE we see today. It took a lifetime of hard work and going without to put together a home and a little money in the bank... and I mean VERY little...

Then the republicans got George Bush who allowed CORPORATIONS to strip us of all our wealth. And now the foreign investors are picking at our bones in the foreclosure market, trying to eek out what they can in the collapse.

I ask you this: When you're young you can rebuild a life. At my age you can't because of your health, strength, and lack of time. Who is going to do a story about the ripped off boomers?

We are not rich. We are facing a bleak retirement. Put THAT on your CBS show.

Oh yes, let's all vote Democrat to oust these people. McCain is ANOTHER FOUR YEARS OF THE SAME THING. Don't believe his lies. "

bones wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:40 AM:

" I'm glad that stories like this are being put out there for everyone to read and see. And as a single mom of two I am very proud of Richelle for what she is working for. Stories like this and worse are out there though. I work two jobs and am going back to school as well. Unless you are a single parent you can not relate or understand the stresses that are put on you. And it is not always a choice to be a single parent. Unless we all chose to stay with the jerks that abuse or cheat on us. So we have to work with what we have and MAKE it all work. And with kids being so mean to kids that have less, it's even more stress to make sure your kids don't appear to have less to others. I wish tv would show more of the realistic side of what life is like for many. And that we could find a president and get a government that did really give a !@#$!!! Make college less inexpensive, lower our gas prices so we could all get to our jobs and school and shuffle our kids to their sports without worrying if we'll make it home or not. Provide the $30 memory stick that middle schools and high schools want kids to have, ASB fees, $50 annuals etc. lower/cut the extra prices of things that are NECESSITIES to life..such as our PUD rates/fees! "

concerned citizen wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:52 AM:

" Alright already...the Bush bashing is getting very old. This story is about hope and a single mom doing all she can to escape poverty. Good for her. I wiah her well! "

rosy wrote on Sep 7, 2008 12:54 PM:

" Roudy Russ-If you think that saving 2000 bucks means you aren't poor, go shopping. Pay a car repair bill. Or better yet, see what kind of car you get for 2000. And if the state wants to chip in, well, it's a good idea. A better way to spend than a lot of their ideas. And Concerned-if you're really that tired of the "Bush bashing", try going through the archives of the paper and read about some of the things he did. When New Orleans was drowning in floods, Bush kindly cut his vacation short by 48 hours to fly over. Presumably at altitude that didn't allow him to see the people struggling to survive on the roof. He had aid to the tsunami survivors in Banda Ache 5 days sooner than he had water to Katrina victims. And the admirable way he excluded anyone and everyone at rallies or speeches during his last campaign. Or if they wore a tee shirt that might have "upset" him had he seen it. The list goes on. "

roudy russ wrote on Sep 7, 2008 2:24 PM:

" Hey Rosy, I guess my statement was a little to complicated for you. My statement means that two thousand dollars is a lot of money and being able to save that much and not spend it on things like FOOD and RENT would be nice but my kids have to eat. If I could have enough extra money two put 2 grand in the bank I would feel rich. "

fishhook wrote on Sep 7, 2008 4:58 PM:

" god I love these fuzzy warm stories,try being a truck driver in longview I wish my week was only 40hrs.big money?what a joke! please explain how either candidate of which neither has ever worked up a sweat at manual labor and are both millionairs have anything in common with working america,try making it on disability!alot of our people are struggling on that end well I hope she gets her house I also hope she doesn't end up like so many others in forclosure "

speak into the microphone wrote on Sep 7, 2008 7:31 PM:

" Re: Rural citizen, I agree with what you have to say about the seventies, We were there to, but you got to quit eating Purina sheep chow with the rest of the stupid sheep in this nation and realize that Obama is just another yes man to the powers that be. Anyone who will not give one of our troops the time of day, not say the pledge of allegiance and is willing to wipe out ALL firearms rights is not what this nation needs. But if you want more bush wacked antics then vote for the one who will OBAMANATE our country. "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:29 PM:

" Bush bashing never gets old. Unless of course you happen to be one of the very few who aren't negatively impacted by his incompetence, failed policies and thievery..If it wasn't for Bush's incompetence, perhaps she and millions more like her wouldn't be struggling so much in the first place. "

DW wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Girth, and rural citizen, please tell me, and be specific, how Bush has personally ruined the lives of people in this country. I really want to know. What would really be interesting is if it were possible to change the time line and live the last eight years with Gore as president. What would Gore have done after 9/11. Maybe he would have convinced the radical muslims that their hatred for the west was unfounded. (ya right) The whole world would be at peace....Or he may have, unlike what Bush could have done, turned the entire middle east into a glowing pile of glass that would be radio active for a thousand million years. Thank god we didn't have to find out. "

DUH wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:04 PM:

" Or maybe he would have went after the freak responsible for 9/11. Bin Laden. Instead he throws us into Iraq to look for WMD's that weren't there. Then he changes the objective to take Saddam out of power. We did that. Then he changes the objective to teach them how to fight for their country. We've been there five years and are still there. What seems to be the problem? It takes 13 weeks of basic training to ready our men and women to fight for our country. Why so long for the Iraqi's???? What objective is next? "

kevcamera wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:58 PM:

" note to roudy russ....saving money can be done and i suggest you take a cue from richelle...she followed a very regimented budget plan on a computer that was purchased from money that she saved matched with funds from her IDA...despite a few curve balls that life has thrown at her, she has succeeded with virtually nothing but a loving family and support from some good close friends. i'm the cameraman who was there for cbs the other day...this girl is the real deal and saving the money she saved was a testimony to her strength of character...she's a struggler and scraper who has learned from life's experiences how to make the best from what is given to you....i was honored to have met her and been able to document her story--thank you richelle! "

Da' Haba wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:16 PM:

" George Bush has done a number of egragious things while in office, but anyone who blames him for the failures that happened from Katrina is clueless to the infrastructure collapse caused by Mayor Ray "Lets keep New Orleans chocolate" Nagin, and then Governor Kathleen Blanco. The delayed response, and disorganized catching up by FEMA were directly related to the inadequate evacuation and total denial by the local governments. Imagine for a second, that the Katrina evacuation had been as well organized as the recent Hurricane Gustav. FEMA's only focus would have been on the broken levies. "

DW wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:42 PM:

" Duhhhh, Iran is the next target, then we'll get the big boys in Russia. Sheeeshhh, don't you listen to the conservative media or watch the military channel? George Bush isn't going stop until HE has conquered the WORLD!!! HoooHooooHaHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAaaaa!!!(diabolical laugh) "

DW wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:56 PM:

" Duh really. We have been in Germany and Japan for 60+ years after those wars were won. Iraq is starting to come around, albeit not soon enough, and we are winning. We will have a presence in the middle east weather it be Iraq, Saudi Arabia, or if we have to kick Irans butt, for many many years. The loss of one America soldier is to many, but in five years we have lost less men and women than any war ever fought. In fact under President Clinton's watch we lost more service men and women, (approx. 14,000 and we weren't at war), than under Bush's watch, (approx. 8,000 at war).
Besides if we do not protect this country and defend it from our enemies there won't be a program for Richelle Durham and other's who need a hand up to get access to because there won't be a country left for them to live in. "

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