Monthly Networking Meeting

February 14 Topic: Integrity and Trust

NO JANUARY MEETING!

On the second Monday of every month, you'll find nearly 100 people eating and talking Bridges at the Charles Martin Youth Center. In 2010, we spent each Monthly Networking Meeting (MNM) talking about one of the eleven resources from Getting Ahead. We have great plans for 2011!

Schedule of 2011 Monthly Networking Meetings:

January: No Meeting!
Monday, February 14: Integrity & Trust
Thursday, March 17: No Meeting! Join us for "Isms" with Jodi Pfarr (at SJCPL Main Branch)
Monday, April 11: Support Systems, Transportation
Monday, May 9: Support Systems, Housing
Monday, June 13: Support Systems, Education
July: No Meeting!
Monday, August 8, Support Systems, Health Care
Monday, September 12: Support Systems Financial Predators and Banking
Monday, October 10: Support Systems, Wages & Jobs
Monday, November 14: Support Systems, Leadership
Monday, December 12: Support Systems, Community Resources

We desire mutual learning and respect.

Who are the Getting Ahead (GA) graduates?
GA grads have successfully completed the 45-hour Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World course with one of our partner agencies, including Ivy Tech Community College, St. Margaret's House, YWCA, REAL Services, Stone Soup and Hope Ministries. Moving to self-sufficiency is a long journey, adn the Monthly Networking Meetings are next step in the process as Grads gather resources and encouragement for the journey.

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.

The commitment of a Getting Ahead ally?

• Attend an MNM the second Monday of the month, 5:30-7:30pm.
• Support GA grads at MNM (and possibly outside of the meeting, as you are able)
• Attend a training.
• Problem solve with SJC Bridges staff.
• Be willing to increase awareness of your own stereotypes, identify how class-based "hidden rules" affect your own societal experience, and look for possibilities of change.

Our goals.

1) Learn about what is and is not working in our community’s effort to end poverty
2) Advocate for community change, particularly in system barriers
3) Make an intentional relationship with a Getting Ahead graduate
4) Join GA grads in their efforts to move to self-sufficiency, solve daily problems, and build their social networks.

The commitment for an ally is:

Join us for a good meal and a good conversation. Read here for more info about our Monthly Networking Meeting.

For more information, contact us at 574/246-0533 or 574/339-1232.