Ideas take shape for addressing poverty

Poverty study findings to be aired at forum

by Bob Audette

December 4, 2007 | Brattleboro Reformer | Brattleboro, Vermont

When looking for ways to solve a problem, the best way to find a solution is to talk with those who are most affected.

That's the idea behind "Thriving Communities: Identifying Barriers and Taking Action," an ongoing discussion about poverty in the Brattleboro area.

The Alliance for Building Community, along with the Brattleboro Housing Authority, the Brattleboro Community Justice Center, Youth Services, ALANA Community Organization, HCRS and 10 other partners, has been hosting "dialogue groups," 45 area residents who have been getting together over the past few weeks to discuss poverty and figure out ways to address it in Windham County.

On Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., they will be meeting at St. Michael's School on 23 Walnut St. to present their findings at a community forum open to the public.

"It's very exciting just knowing there are 45 community members meeting weekly to focus on poverty in a much more productive way," said Diana Wahle, spokeswoman for ABC. Those 45 people were broken down into four different study groups -- policy and advocacy, mentoring for life and job skills, meeting urgent needs and economic development. Community members from a range of backgrounds and life experiences, and not just those who struggle on a daily basis to clothe and feed their families, participated in the dialogue groups, also called study circles.

"The study circle process is a national effort," said Wahle. It's a grass-roots movement designed to empower communities to find ways to deal with poverty.

It's important to get people involved in the process, said Karen Cribari, of Youth Services, "so that we get the perspectives of people who are not bound by agency policies or habits."

"We are really excited about our four teams," said Zach Trent, a Vista volunteer helping to facilitate the discussions. "However, we really want to see those grow with larger community involvement."

ABC hopes to reach out to the local business community, said Wahle, and work with companies and organizations that are developing new and innovative ways of helping people move from poverty into prosperity.

"Poverty is increasing nationwide," said Wahle. "It's not unique to us. What is unique is the excitement and enthusiasm. Those who are experiencing poverty, their neighbors, those who work with them - all want to tackle this problem and make it surmountable."

For those who might feel overwhelmed by their poverty, said Trent, "this is actually a model for them to be enfranchised." It's a way for them to take control and be "energized by the possibilities and the solutions" that have been coming out of the study circles.

"Implementing those solutions is a way for those in poverty to have their voices heard," he said.

Each of the four groups is developing a short- and long-term work plan, said Wahle. Next year, on Martin Luther King, Jr., day, ABC plans to host another forum to present those plans.

In the first half hour of the forum, the Alliance for Building Community will present its annual report, titled "Outcomes, Indicators & Strategies."

Wednesday night's forum will include snacks, child care, American Sign Language interpreters and an accessible site.

For more information on the forum, contact Wahle at or at 802-254-9469.

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