Fall has arrived, and I’m receiving calls from communities that are ready to take the next step of their journey with the Bridges Out of Poverty model.
Take an inventory as you begin. Here are some questions to consider:
- How many Bridges Out of Poverty certified trainers do you have?
- How many trainers do you need?
- Are they all up-to-date on the material? (One community with multiple trainers makes sure the trainers are familiar with and understand the workshops so they can provide a strong and consistent message throughout their community.)
- Do you have the fifth edition of Bridges Out of Poverty?
- Do you have workshops scheduled?
- Are you offering Getting Ahead classes? How are you following up with graduates?
- Are you offering Staying Ahead options? Are you collaborating with resource providers in your community?
- How strong is your steering committee? Who isn’t at the table that needs to be?
- Are Getting Ahead graduates a part of your planning?
- Are you learning from communities that have walked the path before you?
I am a resource, as are Bridges Out of Poverty national consultants. Another resource is Emerge Solutions, which is made up of Getting Ahead facilitators, Getting Ahead graduates, Bridges certified trainers, and others. It is a learning community that can provide feedback and answer questions.
For further information and support, please call me at (281) 502-3004, or email me at ljackson@ahaprocess.com.
You may also want to refresh yourself on the Bridges Out of Poverty seven-step action plan and the 14 thinking tools for Bridges Out of Poverty initiatives.
