Since I am not from New Orleans, I cannot really say how poverty has really helped or hurt New Orleans, but I can speak on how it has helped and hurt my city. I am from Washington, DC, and although we are know for our great monuments and museums, we also have our share of poverty. Poverty has helped my city, because it brings us closer together. When one person is not able to afford something, they know that they can depend on a neighbor or friend, in order to get what they need. At the same time poverty has hurt my city, because it does not allow people to receive the proper tools in order to survive in life such as education and housing. Not being able to have these basic things, may cause one to commit violent acts such as stealing, or in even worse cases, stealing.