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'Getting Ahead' workshop helps to transform lives
Putnam County has a new tool that can enable everyone in our community to live well. It is a workshop called "Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World" and it is transforming lives.
Six individuals graduated from the fourth workshop to be offered in the local community on June 3. They had a desire to stop "getting by" and to start "getting ahead," spending many hours investigating where they are in their lives and where they want to be.
Poverty is defined as a "lack of resources," and 11 resources are assessed in the workshop so that an investigator can find both areas of strength and areas of weakness.
Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter was on hand to encourage the graduates not to give up.
"If it's to be, it's up to me," he quoted from Robert Schuller, along with "Turn your scars into stars."
Bookwalter shared his own story of success and setbacks and turning things back to success again.
The graduates also shared some of their experiences.
One said she wanted a better life for her children than she had. Another wants to "be a giver" in the community and not a "taker." They each expressed gratitude for the new hope they have and a desire to "pay it forward" in the community.
During the workshop, led by Carl Singer as facilitator, the theory of change was discussed along with hidden rules of class and the difference language usage makes. Investigators were challenged to envision a new future story and to set small, attainable goals to achieve it.
The workshop is supported by the Transformers at Gobin United Methodist Church and the Putnam County Community Foundation along with other donors.
Graduates are encouraged to work with others in the community so that everyone can live well. While that's not true for all yet, together we can make a difference.
The motto of the Getting Ahead workshop is "Building bridges for a better future."
The next steps for these graduates are encouraged by a monthly support group where middle class allies with various skills and interests come alongside the graduates to cheer them on in fulfilling their future stories. Graduates are also invited to the table to solve community issues at the Putnam County Community Coalition, a group of various social services in the community, led by Judi Purvis.
Lori Miller is the Getting Ahead coordinator and will be glad to answer any questions (653-6049).
A new workshop will be offered this fall.