Cultures have norms and we all respond based on the hidden rules of our upbringing. This training provides an understanding of the hidden rules for individuals in poverty, middle class, and wealth with the goal of providing avenues of success for all. Participants will also review poverty research, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of the hidden rules of class, resources, family structure, and language. Participants will increase awareness of how economic class impacts our life experience, resources and stability. Volunteers, professionals and anyone who interacts with those living in poverty or want to advocate for those in poverty will benefit from this training.

This workshop is based on the book Bridges Out Of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities written by  Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith.  Throughout the workshop, participants will gain new insights to develop strategies and ways to improve individual, institutional and community based outcomes.  This training assists employers, community organizations, social service agencies, and individuals to gain better understand the environment of poverty and its impact on individuals living in and raised in poverty.  

Bridges Out of Poverty is the framework for Common Heart's comprehensive economic empowerment and development programs for low-income individuals.  These programs grew out of two concerns: our relationships with families living with food insecurity in generational poverty, and data coming out of multiple sources. These sources show that the Charlotte region ranked fifty out of the fifty largest cities in upward economic mobility for its residents living in poverty. (Harvard and UC Berkeley, 2014). A similar study showed that sixty-nine percent of the population born in the lowest economic quintile will remain economically unstable throughout their lives not rising above the second quintile. (MDC, Belk Foundation, 2014). Bridges Out of Poverty uses the lens of economic class and provides concrete tools and strategies for communities locally, nationally and internationally to alleviate poverty, promote upward mobility, and create a sustainable community where all can thrive.

This specific workshop is being offered to Common Heart volunteers, Common Heart partner agencies & churches, and Thrive! Union member organizations.  It is supplemental training for Cupboard Allies and a requirement for Getting Ahead Resource and Social Capital Allies.  For more information about these volunteer opportunities contact EconomicEmpowerment@CommonHeart.org or CupboardAlly@CommonHeart.org.

Workshop will be facilitated by Keith Adams, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Common Heart and consultant with E412 and Revolutionary Kindness Group.  Keith is a certified for Bridges Out of Poverty Trainer, Workplace Stablity, and Three Vital Questions workshops.  Additionally he is certified Getting Ahead facilitator.  

Cost per participant $100 (plus $4 booking fee) and includes all workshop material, lunch, and the book Bridges Out of Poverty, Revised Edition.  Contact Keith@CommonHeart.org for discount promo code for 5 participants or more.  Promo code is put in during check out.