January 7, 2008 - For Immediate Release
Public Invited to Thriving Communities Potluck and Action Forum
A community-wide dialogue on reducing poverty is moving towards action in our community. The public is invited to an Action Forum and Potluck entitled “Thriving Communities: Identifying Barriers and Taking Action” taking place on Monday, January 21 from 6:00-8:30PM at the St. Michael’s School, 23 Walnut Street in Brattleboro. This event is a celebration of the spirit of Martin Luther King and is an important next step in using a study circles approach to reduce poverty. Since the initiative began in October, four action groups have formed, targeting the priority concerns arising from a broad-based community dialogue:
• Mentoring for Job and Life Skills, facilitated by Janice Baldwin and Maggie Bartenhagen
• Meeting Urgent Needs, facilitated by Heidi Flaherty and Konstantin von Krusenstiern
• Government Advocacy and Public Education, facilitated by Alex Blakeson and Zach Trent
• Economic Development, facilitated by Greg Moschetti
The work of these four groups will be featured at the event. The membership of these action groups is open – new members are welcome. Community members are asked to bring a dish for the potluck. Interpreters have been reserved for the evening. Senator Jeanette White has been invited to join in the activities.
The initial “Thriving Communities” Kick-Off Forum in late October drew a large audience who heard profiles of neighbors and friends living in poverty. Keynotes Sen. Jeannette White and Sen. Doug Racine encouraged participants to take action to reduce poverty in the Brattleboro area. At the end of the evening, forty-five community members enlisted in dialogue groups to discuss poverty issues and plan for change.
Four dialogue groups were formed that met through the month of November to consider poverty issues from many perspectives and explore possible solutions. Community members from a range of backgrounds and life experiences have participated.
In early December at the Thriving Communities Action Forum, the dialogue groups presented their recommendations on how we can reduce poverty and move towards prosperity for all. In addition, the most common themes for action were identified and the four action groups were created. Each action group is meeting in January before coming to the January 21 forum.
The forum will include snacks, child care, ASL interpreters and an accessible site. For further information, including details about action group meetings, please contact Diana Wahle, Alliance for Building Community, abcwahle@sover.net or 254 9469.