If you didn't grow up in poverty, you may be unaware of the "hidden rules" that govern many aspects of life for the under-resourced.
People in poverty are often in survival mode: Support systems taken for granted in the middle class and wealthy are largely nonexistent.
Bridges Out of Poverty is a uniquely powerful tool based in part on Dr. Ruby K. Payne's myth-shattering A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Bridges is not a program. It is a research-based framework of concepts, tools, and resources that equip people to reconsider how they approach their clients, their constituents, their neighbors, and their community.
To comprehensively address the issue of poverty, we must look at it through three lenses: Individual, Institutional, and Community. This Triple Lens approach provides a comprehensive perspective on how we as individuals, organizations, and communities can eliminate poverty.
United Way of Henry County and Martinsville serves as the hub of the Bridges Initiative in MHC helping to convene and coordinate the Bridges Implementation Team, local Bridges trainings, and the Bridges Out of Poverty Program, "Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World."
Getting Ahead in a "Just-Gettin'-By" World
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 17 session workshop series providing people motivated for change the tools and support necessary to Get Ahead in today’s world.
Working in a group learning environment, participants, known as "investigators," will learn that money is only 1 of 11 resources used to define success including:
- Financial
- Emotional
- Language
- Mental/Cognitive
- Social Capital (Connections)
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Motivation/Persistence
- Integrity/Trust
- Relationships/Role Models
- Knowledge of the 'Hidden' Rules
Investigators learn how these resources affect their lives, the lives of their family, and the community we live in. By examining the resources they have versus the resources they need, GA Investigators will be able to create a personal plan, based on goals, to build a future story they choose.
Angela's Story
Angela was motivated to enroll in the Getting Ahead workshop series because she wanted to learn more about the available resources in our area, as well as gain insight and better understanding of her own situation. Additionally, as she embarked on her journey to recovery, she had hopes to regain visitation rights with her children. Angela also sought friendship and support, which she thought would come through the participation in the program amongst other individuals who had experienced similiar challenges and could share their own ways of managing and moving forward. Her main goal was to learn about new opportunities and strategies to rebuild her life and create a successful future. Angela also shared that the time management activities resonated for her and were enlightening for her routines. She was able to discover how to prioritize her daily tasks in order to ensure everything that was important each day could be completed.
Angela felt motivated during her classes and secured employment after graduation. She went on to establish boundaries that enabled her to leave an unhealhty relationship and now happily resides in a more positive environment. Angela has continued to strengthen her connections with family and has been able to spend more time with her daughter on weekends. She has joined a church where she has participated in bible study group and the praise band.
Due to Angela's personal success in the Getting Ahead program, she was able to recognize that she was not alone in navigating life's great challenges. Witnessing others share on and advance within the workshops each week inspired her to continue to strive for the life she deserves.
By the end of the workshop series, Angela was able to identify her future goals as the following: Obtaining a college degree in order to secure a career and become completely independent from public assistance; and give back to her community and support others who may be facing similiar challenges that she has experienced. As a bonus goal, Angela has been working hard to save for a new car.
Let Us Help You Get Ahead!
We offer in-person and virtual Bridges Out of Poverty workshops for professionals and communities. You will learn key elements such as:
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The dynamics of poverty
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The hidden rules of economic class
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Strategies for building stability
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Practical skills to improve relationships and outcomes
Questions? If you or your organization are interested in joining the Bridges Out of Poverty Implementation Team, please reach out to Brandy Lawless for more information, to plan a workshop, or to inquire about an upcoming workshop series.
Are you ready to sign up? Please fill out the information form below.
