Hope in Action Ending Poverty - PowerPoint Presentation

Hope in Action Ending Poverty Through Systemic Change Systemic Change: Mentoring © 2014, National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Inc. This copyright covers all materials in this presentation except where otherwise noted .

Team Members Name Position Steve Cigich District Council President – Waukesha WI Irene Frechette Diocese Council President – Fall River MATom Pelger Diocese Council President – Peoria IL Jeanne Harper (2014)Vice President – North Central RegionMike Syslo (2013)Senior Director of Governance– National Office Tamara Thrasher (2013)Service Trainer – Cincinnati OH Archdiocese Council 2 Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

By the end of this session you will understand: What a mentoring program wrapped-around a “Getting Ahead” workshop might look likeThe key roles within the mentoring program and how to recruit and train people How to start a mentoring program initiative in your area – either on a small or large scaleObjectives for this module Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Interactive presentation Small & large group discussionThis is a journey; we do not have all of the answers – we only offer a pathway. As all Vincentian endeavors, we will learn from experience and interactions with each other.Approach to this Session Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

The objectives will be accomplished by examining the following attributes of a mentoring program: Its Power – what is its tie to systemic change? Mechanics – why and how will it work?Roles – who are the players and their positions? Getting started – how to implement in my area? Learning will be augmented with Q & A and table talk.AgendaHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

1. Systemic Change and Mentoring Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

END POVERTY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE OUR VISION …. One Person One Neighborhood One Community at a timeHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Empowerment MentoringCollaboration AdvocacyCornerstones of Society’s Systemic Change Effort Vision : End Poverty through Systemic ChangeMentoring requires empowerment, collaboration & advocacyHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Today’s home visit: immediate, but temporary aid Mentoring committed individuals out of poverty Engaging parish in advocacy Society’s Mission: Charity & Justice Vision : End Poverty through Systemic ChangeHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Empower people to move out of poverty through: Education & skill development Supportive relationshipsSocial & professional connections Spiritual growthCommunity engagement Mentoring Objective Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Every Getting Ahead Investigator … has autonomy and is responsible for their own actionshas the potential to growdeserves empathy and compassion has sacred dignityProgram Values Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

2. The Mentoring Program – Why and How Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

M entoring wrapped-around “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin by World,” a 16-20 session adult-learning workshop The Mentoring ProgramHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Poverty is the extent a person lacks resources The causes of poverty (based on research) are:Individual behaviors and choices Social and community structure and resourcesExploitation Economic and political structures Provide tools for individuals to solve their own problem of poverty Getting Ahead’s Principles on Poverty Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

“If you have come to help me, you can go home again. But if you see my struggles as a part of your own survival, then perhaps we can work together.” – Lila Watson, an Aboriginal Woman from Australia © aha! Process, Inc.

Getting Ahead is Based on the “theory of change” “People in poverty might need to change but no more than anyone else in our society.” “People in poverty need an accurate perception of how poverty impacts their lives and an understanding of economic realities as a starting point both for reasoning and for developing plans for transition”. Philip DeVol © aha! Process, Inc.

Grounded in the theory of change Safe, challenging, neutral, agenda-free learning environment “Kitchen-table” learning experience Content & peer dialogue contribute to learning “Investigators” do the work of learning Philosophy of Getting Ahead © aha! Process, Inc.

Table Talk What are the benefits of success?Mentoring ProgramHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

3 Stages: AcceptanceGetting Ahead – “Develop Future Story”Implementation Mentoring Program - Process View through Investigator Lens Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Candidate: Learns of mentoring program and makes contact Meets with 2 mentors to discuss program features, benefits, expectations, and address questions Addresses fundamental issue: Are they willing to undertake a process that will challenge them to change? Candidate makes decision to continue or not Stage 1: AcceptanceHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Purpose of Getting Ahead: What Do I as a Investigator Get? Explore and analyze the themes of my life Assess my resources Make my own arguments for change Build my own future story Make my own choicesPrepare myself to take a seat at the decision-making table in my community© aha! Process, Inc.

Candidates become Investigators in GA: Develop ‘mental models’ regarding their current situation Learn about poverty, hidden rules, & change Assess their own & community resources Develop their “future story” Develop a plan to build resources and achieve their “future story”Stage 2: Getting AheadOutcomes © aha! Process, Inc.

Candidates: Learn from each other Form a peer support network Facilitators guide the process Mentors provide encouragementDemonstrates the power of working together in a communityStage 2: Getting AheadRelational Support© aha! Process, Inc.

Investigators: Work to achieve their “future story” through building their personal resources Look to mentors for: Support & encouragement An ear to listen and a voice to help guide Connection to others to help build personal resources (“bridging capital”) Investigators set the pace. They’re responsible for own progress Stage 3: Implementation© aha! Process, Inc.

3 Stages: AcceptanceGetting Ahead – “Develop Future Story”Implementation Mentoring Process View through Program Lens Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Program operations: Program communication – word of mouth , brochure , media coverage, partner agency referrals, etc . . .Triage process to connect Candidates with MentorsDatabase development and maintenanceMentors:Establish relationship – utilize Investigators Information Record as neededStage 1: AcceptanceHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Program operations: Secure facility for classroom, meals, and childcare Assign investigators and facilitators to class sessions Secure and distribute all materials Mentor roleFacilitator roleStage 2: Getting AheadHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Program operation: Coordinate mentor, facilitator, and investigator support groups Monitor progress Mentors Persistent but not overbearingGuide, cajole, challenge, encourage, affirm, support. . .Stage 3: ImplementationHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Parking Lot Questions??? Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

“Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World” - The WorkshopHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Copyright © 2006 by Philip E. DeVol. All rights reserved. www.ahaprocess.com Philip DeVol Information for Facilitators, Sponsors and Community Collaboratives Philip DeVol

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY POWER UNDERSTANDING WHERE I AMUNDERSTANDING POVERTYCO-INVESTIGATIONRUBY PAYNE’S FRAMEWORKPlansAction stepsFuture storiesCritical analysisWhat it means to meTheory of changeHow to build resourcesUsing the hidden rules of class to build resourcesMonitoring our changesSelf-assessmentCommunity assessmentWhat it’s like nowCauses of povertyIntroductionProcess TriangleCopyright 2012 by DeVol & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. www.gettingaheadnetwork.com 32 Page 2

“Getting Ahead”: What’s Involved? Closed group – ideally, 6–10 people Basic program - 16-20 sessions of 2.5-3 hours Meet once or twice a week Puts Bridges and Investigators knowledge into a series of mental models Facilitator helps investigators explore solutions; doesn’t teach / tell them what to doBest results if there is long-term support from community partners for investigators’ plans© aha! Process, Inc.

SVdP added Two reflection & discussion handouts for each module (one for each session) Format: Scripture quote related to topics discussedReflection questionsGroup sharing questionsClosing prayerSelect (or create your own) one for each week’s material…use them to close your sessionSpiritual Reflection & Discussion

Program Design Considerations Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Sample Budget Getting Ahead Group of 8 with 16-20 Sessions Line Item Expense Description $25 Stipend / Investigator / session$3,2006-10 is the ideal group size. Stipend paid by gift card (store, gas, bus pass etc.)Getting Ahead workbooks$156 + S&H8 Investigator workbooksFacilitator Training SVdP WebinarBridges Facilitator DVD$38 + S&H$165 + S&HInvestigator & Facilitator manuals; Mar & May 2014, others to be scheduled Optional - Module-by-module ideas Facilitators 0 - $900 $0 if volunteers. If using GA graduate investigators, pay at least same as investigator stipends. Workshop & Investigator supplies < $500 Flip-chart paper, colored markers; folders, paper, pen, pencils for investigators. Child care, transportation, food 0 - $1000 Ideally, food & baby-sitting would be in-kind; provided by parishioners, area churches. Copyright 2012 by DeVol & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. www.gettingaheadnetwork.com 36

Primary assistance is not financial but personal, emotional support thru the journey out of poverty Take care not to enable the current situation through ongoing subsidies of basic living expensesAdditional financial aid could take the form of “investments” that empower the individual (e.g. education, job skill training, certification…)Any decision for financial aid should be brought back to the conference for approvalInvestigator Financial Support Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Establish mentoring support group for mentors to share lessons learned Conduct background checks & child safe environment training Establish procedure that enables Investigators to contact an independent Vincentian if there are problems in the mentoring relationship Process Oversight & Support Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Councils / Conferences - - provide training, mentoring support groups, mentor oversight; GA organization & facilitation; community resource analysis Partners - - links to organizations that provide resource building programs in the community Businesses - - partnership funding, job interview preference for InvestigatorsCollaboration Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Open to Investigators of all faiths As the relationship deepens, it will be natural for mentors to share their faith experience…but don’t force our faith or its beliefs Be open about talking about Jesus the man / teacher For Investigators who want to learn more about the Catholic faith, connect them to RCIA program Religion & Evangelization Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Table Talk What are the barriers in your area?Mentoring Program Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

3. The Mentoring Program – The Roles Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Candidates / Investigators MentorsFacilitatorsSupport teams Supporting Community OrganizationsMentoring Program Roles Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Primary Consideration Desire to improve their life situation and willingness to make personal changes to accomplish their goals Other Considerations Open to accepting outside helpStrength to overcome resistance from family & friendsFrom an unstable environment and/or poverty Getting Ahead Candidatespage 127-128 Facilitator GuideHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Continuum of GA Candidates Extremely Unstable Environments Daily life disrupted by violence, illness, addiction, disabilities,and/or unstablecommunity conditions. Highly affected bygenerational poverty. Stabilizing the environment and building resources may take a very long time.Unstable EnvironmentsDaily life can be stabilized enough with supports to attended weekly or bi-weekly sessions. People in generational and situational poverty. Building resources may take a long time.Fairly StableEnvironmentsDaily life can be organized fairly easily. May be able to build resources quickly. Some people in situational poverty. © aha! Process, Inc.

Team of 2 Vincentians “Connectors” / Cheerleaders / FriendsNot counselors / experts in every field which the Investigator may need to develop to move out of povertyHelp the Investigator implement their plan Facilitate connections to community sources that enable them to build personal “resources” and achieve their plans Mentors’ Role Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Mentor Attitude, Knowledge, and Skills Understand aha! Process concepts Ability to: form a trusting relationship easily mentor another person’s self-discovery work with a co-mentorbe accepting and non-judgmentalSomeone who is a survivor but doesn’t carry the “baggage”Can be empathetic without being “taken”Can laugh and have funCan see the best in those who can’t always see it in themselves

Lead Investigators through the Getting Ahead program (Discovery, Goal Setting, and Planning) Augments the Mentor role as another resource for the InvestigatorSeparate the problem / issue from the personRaise difficult issues Encourage accountability Facilitators’ Role Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Facilitator Attitude, Knowledge, and Skills Understand aha! Process concepts Ability to: translate from formal to casual register facilitate another person’s self-discovery work in the adult voicework with a co-facilitatorwork effectively as someone from the dominant culturehave a non-judgmental attitudeSomeone who is a survivor but doesn’t carry the “baggage”Can be empathetic without being “taken”Can laugh and have funCan see the best in those who can’t always see it in themselves© aha! Process, Inc.

Meals – provide ‘family style’ meal for Investigators, children, facilitators, and team members Child Care – provide services for children while parents are going through workshop session Affirmation – purchase gift cards; provide material items (personal care, certificates, trinkets) to affirm and show appreciation for their hard work; order GA books; make copies of handouts Support Teams Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Identify “common cause” organizations: Food pantriesHomeless sheltersWorkforce Development “Abuse” sheltersThose who provide education & training to the poorDevelop educational strategy Hold open-forum discussion sessions Community Support Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

4. OperationalizationA Tale of Two Cities Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Waukesha County Wisconsin Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change

Education Sessions – The Bridges Poverty Lens & Mentoring Program Overview Provide knowledge on working effectively with those in povertyLearn about the mentoring program By the end, be in the position to discern the possible role they might play Universal Education KEY CONCEPT Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Establish program scope and overall design Establish guidelines, process flows, and material requirements for your local processAttract people Communication (Newsletters, invitations, other) Marketing Public relations Development TeamHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Identifying candidates From SVdP home visits SVdP store employees? Referrals from other community organizations ? Planning Decisions Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

How will the program be funded? Council-budgeted? Conferences sponsoring Investigators? Collaboration with other community organizations / businesses? Grant? Planning Decisions Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Who will organize the programs? District Council level across conferences in a ‘densely populated’ community Conference level in smaller towns, more rural or isolated settings SVdP only? or in partnership with other community organizations?Planning DecisionsHope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Scheduling & Frequency 10 modules in 16-20 sessions Evening? Saturday? Afternoon? Flex to best time for InvestigatorsOnce or twice a week Frequency of workshop offering Planning Decisions Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Network of collaboration partners Programs that build personal “resources” Share in expense of running GA & making “investments” in resource-building Businesses that can provide better jobsFoster support groups Mentoring teams Peer support groups Engage graduate investigators in community assessments & planningCreating the Environment forGraduate Investigators to Succeed Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Preparatory events Introductory – Generate interestEducation – The Bridges Lens, the Mentoring ProgramTraining – Mentors, facilitators, support teams Information management / communicationDatabase Communication (email, print, local media) Implementation Team Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Mentoring program set-up Secure facilityCoordinate mentors, facilitators, and support teamsSupport group set-up InvestigatorsMentorsFacilitators Support Groups Implementation Team , continued

Facility Neutral sites like: Churches Libraries Community centersEasy access by bus, easy parkingFacilities:Wall space for the mental modelsRound tables (kitchen table learning experience)Space for child care & food prep / storage / serving© aha! Process, Inc.

Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change In addition to maintaining and running established activities, pay attention to: Establish feedback loops to gather vital input required to tweak and improve the program Share what you have learned with other Vincentians Monitor and report on progress Operational – number educated, trained, Investigators Outcomes – the measures agreed upon locally Operational Team

Mentors FacilitatorsSupport TeamsOther Organizations Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic changeAttracting Program Team

Allow the Holy Spirit to work in people’s lives Require Universal Education – lead them to training (facilitator, mentor, support) After training, provide ‘Discernment QuestionsIndicate interest by signing-up for a Discernment InterviewPerform background checks, provide child-safe training where appropriate Discuss answers to questions to determine if it’s a right fit Attraction through Discernment

Education Sessions – The Bridges Poverty Lens & Mentoring Program Overview Gain knowledge to discern if further training is for them Functional Training Sessions – Mentor, Facilitator, or Support TeamMentor and Support Teams done locallyFacilitator done nationally via SVdP webinar Discern if becoming a practitioner is right for themAfter training, hold a ‘discernment interview’ to determine if there is a right fit.Education / Training / Screening Paths

“No significant learning change occurs without a significant relationship of mutual respect.” - - - Adapted from Dr. James Comer Mentor Training Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Developed and performed locally – may include: Outline of “Getting Ahead” so mentor knows what to expect Relationship aspects (e.g., accepting others as they are, building trust, listening & observation, affirming, empowering dynamic, healing presence, compassion)Change theory and motivation (stages, barriers, and motivational techniques) Mentor Training Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

SVdP’s “Getting Ahead” facilitator webinar (2 x 3½ hr sessions) - No charge, except for purchase of Bridges books Next webinars: Oct 24 & 28 (2-5:30pm Central); Nov 4 & 13 (5-8:30pm Central) Prerequisites: Attend workshop including Systemic Change Overview and Bridges Individual Lens DVD Read: Bridges Out of Poverty, Bridges to Sustainable CommunitiesGetting Ahead Facilitator Notes & Getting Ahead Investigator Workbook used in the webinar Facilitator Training Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

History Interventions of the Holy SpiritRound 1 – Started 2011 – Classes Jan-May 2012Round 2 -- Spring 2013Round 3 – Spring 2014Round 4 – Fall 2014 Marinette Wisconsin Tale of Mechanics Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Value vs Effort Mentoring Program Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

Last Chance (for now) – Questions? Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change

END POVERTY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE OUR VISION Hope in Action... Ending poverty through systemic change…. One Person One Neighborhood One Community at a time

SVdP Resources St Vincent de Paul Systemic Change web portal http ://www.svdpusa.org/systemicchange/Home.aspx

www.gettingaheadnetwork.com pdevol@ahaprocess.com Aha Resources Copyright 2012 by DeVol & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. www.gettingaheadnetwork.com