TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- The Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative (PRI) will host Poverty to Progress: A Report to the Community on February 1, 2011, 7:30 A.M. to noon at the Hagerty Center in Traverse City.
The half-day program is aimed at educating participants about the current status of poverty in our region; providing an update on PRI’s accomplishments, including stories from local citizens; and effective strategies to prevent poverty or help people out of poverty.
“Those attending the conference will be able to see the big picture about poverty in our midst,” stated Jim Rowlett, PRI co-director. “And they will have input to identify roles for themselves or for their organizations to help in this endeavor.”
The Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative serves Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. Although participants are being recruited from a cross section of key community sectors including: business, faith, education, law enforcement, health, housing, government, social services, and media, the conference is open to interested community members on a first-come basis.
PRI is a community-driven, collaborative effort to reduce poverty in the Traverse Bay region. The program was born out of the Poverty Summit, held in February 2004, in which 225 area residents joined together to address the issue of poverty. The Poverty Reduction Initiative consists of representatives from local businesses, public and government agencies, and concerned citizens.
PRI enlists five strategies to help reduce poverty:
· Navigators
· Mentoring
· Education
· Advocacy
· Communication
There is no charge to attend the event but advance registration is required. Those with interest may register online at: www.TraverseBayPRI.org or by calling Anna at: 231-922-6508. The Hagerty Center is located at 715 East Front Street in Traverse City. The conference begins at 7:30 AM, and breakfast is included.
