‘Getting Ahead’ informational meeting set Monday

For anyone who is barely getting by, struggling to pay bills, wanting to change the situation but not sure where to begin, hope is around the corner.

Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World is a work group that can empower a move toward self-sufficiency. This is a “hand up” and not a “hand out.”

A new group will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. beginning Aug. 28. The group meets at Gobin United Methodist Church in Greencastle, where volunteers in the community will provide a free dinner along with free childcare.

Participants will have time to evaluate where they are and where they want to be and new tools to help accomplish it. They will develop their own new future story and be introduced to local resources that can help them along with new relationships that will encourage them.

An informational open house will be held at the Putnam County Public Library on Monday, Aug. 20 in the Kiwanis Room from 6-7 p.m. A few of the 50 previous graduates will be available to answer questions and explain what is involved.

These graduates have improved their housing, including several who have bought their first home, have improved their credit, learned to budget and found many compassionate neighbors in the community who are willing to encourage them.

They finish the group with hope that their lives can improve.

Organizers are also looking for community volunteers who want to make a difference. They need meals, childcare workers and community partners who are willing to encourage the group members.

After completing the “Getting Ahead” training, participants will ideally be matched with 2 to 4 volunteers from the community who will encourage them as they transition out of poverty.

Anyone interested may call Gobin Church at 658-6010, email gctransformers@gmail.com, visit www.gobinumc.org/transformers-of-greencastle/ or www.facebook.com/transformingfuturesinPutnamCounty/ for more information.

Transformers of Putnam County, an outreach of Gobin United Methodist Church, has provided these Getting Ahead work groups for Putnam County residents since 2013. Transformers is also supported financially by the Putnam County Community Foundation and the United Way.