Group seeks help to reduce poverty

Bridges to Circles is a Unite Escambia collaborative begun by the Escambia County Health Department, Partnership for a Healthy Community, and the United Way. In 2008 Catholic Charities became the lead agency for the Circles program and is committed to implementing the Circles model throughout the community. The goal of Bridges to Circles is a “50% reduction of people living in poverty by 2020 which means 21,467 people including 8,459 children moving above the federal poverty line in Escambia County.”

Below is a list of dates and times of community meetings and training that will take action to achieve the goals and to reduce poverty in our community.

UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS

Bridges out of Poverty training is from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 12. The session covers the hidden rules of class and the effects of generational poverty. It is hosted by Saltmarsh, Cleaveland, and Gund at 900 N. 12th Avenue.

Hands-on ally training is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19. It is at Gadsden Street United Methodist Church at 901 E. Gadsden Street. This session gives potential allies the tools and information they need to work with a family moving toward self-sufficiency. Poverty Simulation is from 8:30 to 12:30 a.m. March 17 at the Langley Bell Center on Nine Mile Road.

Boys in Crisis seminar on helping boys succeed in today’s world is April 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St.

For More information, please contact Janet Westlake, Bridges to Circles community organizer, at 429-7296, ext. 18; cell 602-8601; or westlakej@cc.ptdiocese.org. You can also read more about the Bridges to Circles initiative at www.catholiccharitiesnwfl.org