WASHINGTON (CNS) — Eighteen individuals with expertise in anti-poverty initiatives and poverty reform efforts have put forth a multitiered proposal that they say can help reduce poverty for Americans living on the margins. Under the title the Poverty Forum, the individuals Feb. 17 called upon the administration of President Barack Obama and the Congress to adopt various parts of their proposal, any of which, they claimed, can begin to lift people out of poverty.

The Rev. Jim Wallis, forum co-chairman and president and CEO of Sojourners, a progressive evangelical organization that addresses justice issues, said during a press conference the effort comes during a time of “poverty emergency” in the United States. He said ensuring that the needs of poor people are not ignored as the country focuses on rebuilding the economy in a deepening recession is a major goal.

He described the Poverty Forum as a bipartisan effort based on the biblical call to justice for the poor and vulnerable. “For us (as Christians) not to speak of poverty is impossible,” Rev. Wallis said. “This is for us a matter of faith.