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WASHINGTON N.C. -- Some North Carolinians who are struggling financially got a visit Thursday from a group of people who set out to listen to their stories.

The NAACP's Truth and Hope Tour aims to put a face on poverty and to address policies the organization believes hurts the poor.

In North Carolina, state poverty rates are in the double digits.

For African Americans, it was almost 28 percent, for Latinos about 34 percent, and whites about 12 percent, with the state level being about 18 percent.

"It's something that you can read about on paper, but it's so different to hear from a person speak from the heart about how she's working so hard,” said David Neal, president of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

The bus tour through some eastern cities and towns began in Beaufort County. Tour organizers listened to the stories of those living in poverty who say, all they're asking for is a chance.

"To be somebody,” said Beaufort County resident Charlette Blackwell Clark, “to get out of the poverty state. And we can do it, but we need jobs and we need finance, and we just need somebody to hold our hands for a while.”

The tour will continue through the spring, hitting all different areas in the state. Then there will be a summit were possible solutions will be discussed.