BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY
In April 2005, twelve individuals (representing seven local agencies) from Pickaway County attended a Certification Training for Bridges Out of Poverty. Bridges Out of Poverty is part of the trainings and books from aha! Process that educates about class and poverty. The individuals that attended the training returned with a commitment to share the information with others in Pickaway County.
In March 2006, the Faith-Based and Community Group Summit in partnership with Jobs and Family Services, offered the Bridges Out of Poverty training on two separate days. There were 300 people trained over the two days. A local survey was also distributed to collect information for sustainability of the concepts.
In February 2007, the Blueprint Grant provided a training for educators on the Framework for Understanding Poverty. Local school districts sent 300 educators to the training. The same local survey used in the March 2006 training was distributed to continue collection of local data.
In May 2007, Berger Health Systems, Jobs and Family Services, and the Partnerships for Success grant offered a Bridges Out of Poverty training. The attendance of 175 people included a wide representation of churches, agencies, community members, and schools. The local survey showed much interest in sustainability of the concepts to improve the education and lives of individuals in poverty.
A workgroup from the “It Only Takes a Spark” Faith-Based and Community Group Summit sponsors quarterly meetings to continue conversations and discussions of the “Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities” book. These meetings are called The Breakfast Club. For more information, feel free to call Debbie Hoffman at 474-7529.
For more information:
www.ahaprocess.com
