FARMINGTON – A unique community-wide collaborative that seeks to connect those living in poverty with social services will take place at various workshop meetings held on March 17 and 18 in three different school districts in Franklin County.
Donna Beegle, Ed.D., the author of See Poverty, Be The Difference, a resource book for professionals who work with people in poverty, and An Action Approach to Educating Students in Poverty, will lead the discussions.
Beegle, who grew up in inter-generational poverty in a migrant family, is the founder of Communication Across Barriers, an agency that works to alleviate poverty nationally. She has studied and worked extensively with educators, social service professionals, justice professionals, faith-and community-based organizations and health professionals across the country and has received national acclaim for her ability to passionately and succinctly address the issues of poverty.
Locally, schools, businesses, and nonprofits are working together to implement a community-wide approach to poverty that bridges the gap between social service delivery and the people in need of resources.
The Mt. Blue Regional School District is conducting a workshop for community members interested in adopting Beegle’s Opportunity Community Model to alleviate poverty on Friday, March 18, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Mt. Blue Campus Auditorium.
Educators, service providers, first responders, human resources administrators, community volunteers, or community members are invited to join into the community conversation that will explore ways of working together to identify needs, and empower people in their quest to move out of poverty in greater Franklin County.
The following are presentations and workshops that will be taking place in Franklin County:
Thursday, March 17:
12:30-2:30 p.m.: Presentation at Mt. Abram Regional High School will be for the entire faculty as well as staff, students, and folks from neighboring schooldistricts.
6:15-6:45 p.m., Dr. Beegle will be the keynote speaker for the RSU 73 Community Forum and Health Needs Assessment at Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay; pizza dinner included. Community members are encouraged to attend this event.
Friday, March 18:
8 a.m. to noon: Workshop on Poverty Awareness and Interventions at Mt Blue Campus for all RSU 9 District faculty and staff.
12:30-2 p.m., Open workshop for faculty and community members interested in learning about the Opportunity Community Model in Bjorn Auditorium at Mt Blue Campus.
For more information, contact Rebecca Dennison, College Transitions coordinator for Franklin County Adult Education at bgdennison@gmail.com.
Googled info adds to her bona fides: “Donna is the only member of her family who has not been incarcerated. After growing up in generational
migrant labor poverty, leaving school for marriage at 15, having two children and continuing to cope with
poverty, she found herself, at 25, with no husband, little education, and no job skills. What followed in 10
short years were: self-confidence, a G.E.D., an A.A. in Journalism, a B.A. (with honors) in Communications,
a Master’s Degree in Communication with a minor in Gender Studies (with honors), and completion of a
Doctorate Degree.”
She may have a much-needed answer to spark change. Hope so!
We need more people like her instead of those who sneer at those without a job. Maybe those who have a job should give their’s up so someone else can have it. It’s easy to blame someone but not easy to help them
I am really excited that the Community Forum on March 17th is taking place within my school district (RSU73). This Forum is an excellent opportunity to gather input from the Greater Franklin County Area to help meet the needs that people face on a daily basis. I am helping out with any transportation or childcare needs. Feel free to contact me at 897-5719 ext. 400 for any transportation or childcare needs. You can also register online at bit.ly/spruceforum