Seminar Shows "Bridges Out of Poverty"
Grant County alone has nearly 1,300 families living in poverty. A seminar on August 10, "Bridges Out of Poverty—Strategies for Professionals and Communities," will explore how the "hidden rules" of economic class affect everyone who comes in contact with these families, including educators, social-service providers, policy makers, employers, business people, healthcare professionals, spiritual leaders, law enforcement, other agencies, non-profits and volunteers. The seminar, presented by Philip DeVol, is designed to help attendees understand the challenges of working with people in poverty and the significance of the "hidden rules," and to provide specific solutions that can be implemented immediately.
The seminar was developed by Ruby K. Payne, a professional educator since 1972, author of A Framework for Understanding Poverty and co-author with DeVol and Terie Dreussi Smith of Bridges Out of Poverty—Strategies for Professionals and Communities. DeVol, who has more than 25 years of experience on substance-abuse and poverty issues, is a consultant for aha! Process Inc., based in Highlands, Texas.
"Bridges Out of Poverty" focuses on the needs of social-service providers and other helping professions, such as hospitals and correctional facilities. The seminar stresses ways to use its information to redesign programs for improved outcomes in agencies and communities.
The seminar will be presented from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Light Hall Auditorium on the WNMU campus. Cost for the seminar is $40, which includes lunch, a copy of one of the two books mentioned above, and all workshop materials. Registration deadline is August 4. For more information or to register, call The Volunteer Center at 388-2988 or email info@volunteersofgrantcounty.org.