Community leaders throughout Hot Springs will come together June 4 and 5 for a Poverty Summit organized by Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic.
The summit will serve to raise awareness and begin the process of developing a systemwide approach to creating sustainable solutions for poverty and homelessness, the city said in a news release.
The summit will begin with a Homelessness Round Table at 9:30 a.m. June 4 at the Hot Springs Junior Academy auditorium, 701 Main St. Box lunches will be available at 11:30 a.m. for $15.
"The Homelessness Round Table is part of a larger effort that the city is partnering with CCMC to have a focused dialogue and hopefully, an understanding of homelessness and the ongoing efforts being provided in the Hot Springs area," City Manager Bill Burrough said.
"Our hope is to use this opportunity to highlight the successes and existing programs being offered now, but also to point out the importance of partnering among organizations in an effort to pool limited resources. As part of the Round Table discussion, the city will present information on successful programs in place across the country and determine if these best practices and models are of interest to our existing providers and organizations," he said.
The city had listed coordinating this community summit as part of its 2019 goals and priorities, Burrough said.
Also on June 4, at 1:45 p.m., CCMC will present "Living on the Edge: Poverty Simulation" in the Hot Springs Intermediate School gymnasium, 617 Main St. The simulation is free and presented by Entergy, Hot Springs School District, Adult and Teen Challenge of Arkansas, and conducted by University of Central Arkansas: Outreach and Community Engagement.
Sallie Culbreth, community relations director for CCMC, said the simulation "is an immersive experience to help community leaders better understand the harsh realities of poverty and the abundance of stress it creates."
"It is not a game, but an interactive experience that allows participants to view poverty from different angles," Culbreth told The Sentinel-Record. "In the simulation, there are a variety of stations such as a pawnshop, law enforcement, social services, utilities, payday lenders, and shelters that will be manned by volunteers who will play the role of common agency staff that individuals in poverty often encounter."
Starla Bleifus, Staying Ahead Coordinator for CCMC, has attended a poverty simulation before and said it is an eye-opening experience for those who didn't grow up in generational poverty.
"Some of the things that were noticed at the simulation I attended were the amount of time spent at agencies trying to get help, the frustration and chaos of not being able to solve problems quickly, and one person who admitted that she resorted to stealing as a way to feed her family. She was quite surprised that she felt desperate enough to react that way."
Bleifus said most people only know the reality in which they have lived; however, with insight into the conditions and problems faced by those living an unstable life, she believes community leaders will be better equipped to see how they are able to help in the sector they are positioned in.
"Poverty affects all of us," she said. "The problem is complex. I believe a thriving, diverse, sustainable community is one where there is shared responsibility by individuals, communities, businesses, and government so that all individuals are respected, and have opportunities to reach their full potential. Ideas and information about how each community sector can pursue further involvement will be provided."
Culbreth said CCMC is in need of volunteers for the simulation "who will act as vendors at the various stations."
Training for volunteers will be at 1 p.m. and the simulation begins at 1:45 p.m., she said.
On June 5, CCMC will offer "Bridges Out of Poverty" training at 8:30 a.m. at Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness, 125 Wellness Way.
According to the release, this training empowers communities to move individuals from poverty to self‐sufficiency; reduce social costs related to crime, poor health, and welfare; strengthen educational attainment and job skills; enhance economic development; improve on-the-job productivity; revitalize neighborhoods; and build a sustainable community.
The cost for "Bridges Out of Poverty" is $25, which includes the training, a light breakfast, and lunch. The "Bridges Out of Poverty" book may be purchased separately for an additional $25.
The deadline to register for the Poverty Simulation, "Bridges Out of Poverty" training and boxed lunch is May 30. To register online, visit http://bit.ly/povertysummit2019.
Volunteers for the simulation may sign up by contacting Culbreth at [email protected], or registering online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4ea4ad23a5fd0-poverty.
Local on 05/10/2019