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Getting Ahead Allies

Who is a Getting Ahead ally?

Allies are members of the community who do not live in poverty and provide meaningful support and encouragement to GA grads on his or her journey to self-sufficiency.

What is the role of a Getting Ahead ally?

The role is meant to be simple: Be a supporter. Offer encouragement. Ask questions. Share resources and ideas. Build a relationship. Reflect on your own experience. Deepen your understanding of poverty.

The other important role is to help SJC Bridges think about action steps our community needs to take. Look for opportunities on how we can partner with other organizations, churches, and community groups. Help us think about opportunities to increase volunteers, food donations, and funding.

How can I be an effective ally?

  • Attend the Monthly Networking Meetings. This year we will be doing an assessment of our critical support systems like education, transportation, and health care, and what we can do to support graduates and address gaps.
  • Attend a Day One training. Learn the Bridges Framework —this is key to understanding our approach and building relationship across economic class.
  • Attend the Day Two Training. Take it a step further and explore applications of the framework.
  • Participate in a national pilot project. Think of it as Getting Ahead for the Middle Class.  It is meant to enhance the effectiveness of people from all classes working together to address poverty. This 8-week interactive class will start in the spring.
  • Attend the Unnatural Causes. It is a powerful look at how the experience of poverty impacts health in our community.
    • Or Sponsor Unnatural Causes at your organization or workplace.
  • Join a Committee. We need people for our Fundraising and Ending Financial Practices committees.
  • Become a Financial Mentor. We are graduating 20 to 30 people from our Financial Management Class. Financial mentors have financial expertise and help graduates work through problems and achieve their financial goals.
  • Join our Book club. Read relevant books and watch films to educate yourself.
  • Attend the Bridge Builder Meetings. August 19 & November 4 at United Way (3517 E Jefferson) from noon to 1:30pm.