Getting Ahead program begins in August

Putnam County has a new program coming to town that will help people "get ahead."

The Putnam County Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative will assist those who considered themselves poverty stricken.

"People who are in poverty know they are -- we don't have to define that for them," said Judy Cockrum, who will facilitate the program. "If we have a few middle-class people, we don't really worry about it too much."

The eight-week classes offers the chance to make a plan for what people want in life, learn strengths and how to use them, connect with others who can help and become a part of a community that helps all to reach their potential.

"Fear is the biggest challenge," said Jennifer Soster, who is a part of the advisory committee. "It's (the program is) about change, and change is scary."

Those who participate in the program are not called participants or students -- they are investigators because they do the work themselves - they find the solution to their own personal poverty, as well as the community poverty.

"It's a time to discover what they need," Cockrum said.

After the eight-week program, those who finish will be paired with an ally.

The Getting Ahead program is a global program, and some who finished it earned their GED, started college, lost weight, started their own business, developed plans to reduce debt and encouraged their family and friends to take Getting Ahead.

Classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church. Lunches are provided as well as childcare.

The Rotary Club of Greencastle has donated $2,000 to support the program, and Rotary District 6560 gave a matched the $2,000 grant as well, which makes the Rotary Club one of the biggest contributor to the program.

Right now, five people are signed up Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative. For more information, a registration form or transportation for classes, persons may call 658-6010 or email gobin@gobinumc.org. The registration is on the Banner Graphic website as well, bannergraphic.com.