Bridges Out of Poverty Santa Rosa County CEO

Bridges Out of Poverty Santa Rosa County CEO Roundtable Update February 19, 2013 1

Sustainable Communities The way children experience life is determined by the families and communities in which they are raised; it falls to families and communities to create a way of life that is healthy, prosperous, and sustainable. Phil De. Vol, 2004

Causes of Poverty Behaviors of the Individual Ø Dependence on Welfare Ø Crime Ø Addiction Ø Planning skills and orientation to the future Human and Social Capital in Community Ø Availability of well paying jobs Ø Childcare for working families Ø City and regional planning Ø Adequate skill sets Ø Availability and quality of education Can you and community partners overcome those barriers? 3

Causes of Poverty Exploitation Ø Drug trade Ø Sub-prime lenders Ø Lease/purchase outlets Ø Gambling Political/Economic Structures Ø De-industrialization Ø Taxation patterns Ø Immigration patterns Ø Declining middle class 4

Resources Necessary for Self-Sufficiency Ø Financial Ø Emotional Ø Mental Ø Formal Language Ø Spiritual Ø Integrity/Trust Ø Physical Ø Social Ø Relationship/Role Model Ø Motivation/Persistance Ø Knowledge of Hidden Rules

A Bridges Community Guiding Principals At the community level: ü Organizations will be challenged to rethink the design of their programs ü Collaboratives will smooth the pathway for people who use their services ü Communities will protect members from predators (Pay Day Loans, Gambling, Rent-to-Own) Business: ü Improve retention rates ü Create better paying jobs ü The whole community will be encouraged to become engaged in ending poverty! 6

Steps to Developing A Bridges Community Bridges is typically discovered by organizations that interact closely with people in poverty. It spreads by word of mouth. Progress: July 2012 September 2012 November 2012 simulation January 2013 Marion Bridges Out of Poverty 3 day training Bridges Steering Committee @ SRMC Bridges Steering Committee @ Milton Community Center—Conducted poverty Bridges Steering @ EME—Face. Time with Matters 7

Steps to Developing A Bridges Community Host Bridges workshops for people and organizations that interact people in poverty regularly. Provide short Bridges sessions for businesses and local leaders who cannot attend full workshops. Develop a group of Certified Bridges Trainers to reinforce the concepts and deepen the utilization of the constructs. Progress: Santa Rosa Adult School— 1 hour training Santa Rosa Chamber (EDGE)— 1/2 hour informational meeting Community of Christ Church— 3 hour training Conference Call with Santa Rosa Medical Center & Marion General Hospital Bridges and Getting Ahead Train the Trainer—April 1 -4, 2013 8

Steps to Developing A Bridges Community Make Bridges information available to people in poverty early so that organizers are talking with people in poverty, not about them or for them. Getting Ahead is crucial to Bridges because it directly engages people in poverty and requires support from the community. Bring Getting Ahead Graduates to the table to help inform the group on: True nature of poverty in Santa Rosa County, Barriers to getting out of poverty, Their assessment of the community, Their solutions Progress: Applied for funding to support 2 -4 courses February 11, 2013 Strategic Planning for Getting Ahead Course June-September 2013—First Getting Ahead Course 9

Steps to Developing A Bridges Community The group is guided and adheres to the Bridges Model and guiding principals. Members make a commitment to shared power and respect for minority opinions. Meetings are about planning, action, problem solving, next steps, deliberation, collaborative solutions, and celebrations. No single organization “owns” Bridges but every organization and person has ownership. Progress: Bridges is now a part of SAFER Santa Rosa! www. safersantarosa. org March Bridges Steering Committee Meeting @ PSC Milton April 1 -4 Bridges and Getting Ahead Train the Trainer June 24 & 25 Pensacola State Poverty Conference 10 June-September First Getting Ahead Course!!!

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By-World: Philip De. Vol aha! Process, Inc. Copyright © 2006

What’s involved? § § § Work groups of 10 -15 people 15 -20 sessions that are two and half hours long. Putting our knowledge into a series of mental models. A facilitator who helps us explore solutions; not someone to tell us what to do. Long term support for our plans.

What does a participant get? What are the Getting Ahead Goals: to explore and analyze themes of our lives; to assess our resources; to build our own future stories; to make our own choices; to enjoy the power that comes from solving problems and controlling our own life, § to make concrete plans for economic stability; § and to become skillful at using the hidden rules to class to build resources. § § §

Resources 5 4 3 2 1 Module 8 al de n In Ru te gr le s M ity ot iv at io n id H Ph ys ic l a l n i a c o l i u n a t t i t o n ir na i e m p F E S M al m e t s y S s t n r o io t p a p l u S Re ips h

Support for Change Friend Mother Module 11 Son MEME Wife Brother Daughter

Getting Ahead in Santa Rosa Goals: To conduct a minimum of 2 Getting Ahead Courses for 24 participants by June 2014. Assign an ally (mentor) to each Getting Ahead participant Graduate a minimum of 20 (83%) participants from Getting Ahead A minimum of 19 Getting Ahead Graduates will enroll in an educational program (GED, college, university or technical training) and/or become employed Local employers will become aware of the Getting Ahead course and participate and/or employ Getting Ahead Graduates will serve as future facilitators and mentors for future Getting Ahead Participants 16

Getting Ahead in Santa Rosa Funding: Participant Books: $19. 50 per book x 24= $234. 00 Participant Stipends: $24 participants x $15/a session x 15 sessions= $2, 700 per course Total funds requested for two Getting Ahead Classes: $5, 868. 00 17

Getting Ahead in Santa Rosa Support: Local churches or other organizations donate food for each session. Local churches or other organizations donate child care during Getting Ahead Local leaders volunteer to be a mentor to a graduate and meet on a monthly basis after graduation Local employers and colleges are aware of Getting Ahead Graduates and provide opportunities for education and employment. 18

For More Information www. safersantarosa. org www. ahaprocess. com Dr. Karen Barber 5086 Canal Street Milton, FL 32570 850 -983 -5001/5237 barberk@mail. santarosa. k 12. fl. us 19