Bridges out of poverty slated for Oct. 3-4

It's not too late to register for the October 3 -- 4 training on Bridges out of Poverty. The nationally recognized training is being made available locally thanks to a combined effort by members of Gobin United Methodist Church, the Putnam County Office of the Purdue Extension Service and help from the English Family Foundation.

Bridges out of Poverty, is being held at DePauw University's, Prindle Ethics Institute in Greencastle from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on October 3 and 4.

The cost for the two-day seminar is $40, which covers all training materials and lunch each day. Registrations are still being accepted until September 26. Registration form is available at the Putnam County Extension website www3.ag.pur-due.edu/counties/putnam/pages/default.aspx under Hot Topics, or by calling or stopping in the Putnam County Office of the Purdue Extension Service 653-8411, at 12 Central Square, Greencastle.

Whether you are a business owner trying to retain employees, an educator, school administrator or a social worker helping families or a volunteer or interested citizen, this could be just the training you need to help you better understand and more easily work with families or individuals who may be struggling to succeed or merely 'make it' in the current difficult economic environment.

People of all income levels have felt the pinch of higher gasoline and food prices in recent years. All of us have noticed the hit to our wallets but while for some it might mean thinking twice about buying something or switching to a cheaper brand of some items, for those living on minimum wage (or less) these increases likely mean having to do without entirely.

Living on minimum wage is difficult, whether it is a new situation for the family due to illness or job loss, etc. or whether it is generational poverty. The majority of the children in most of the schools in Putnam County now qualify for free or reduced lunch and it is suspected that many children don't have adequate food on the weekends.

What do most of us really know about the situations of these children and could we grow in our understanding of the difficult situations facing many of their families? As the numbers of families living in poverty continues to grow, we need to learn how the 'haves' can better understand and reach out to the 'have-nots' to make a stronger community for all of us. Stronger schools and stronger industries could be the result.

If you are interested in knowing more about how to understand and help others who may be struggling with poverty, to have a better chance of bridging the gap to a more successful and economically stable life, consider joining others from Putnam County and surrounding areas at the two-day Bridges out of Poverty training on October 3-4. For more information call the Putnam County Office of the Purdue Extension Service at 653-8411.

Upcoming events

September 24 -- Putnam County Fair & 4-H Club Association, Inc. (Fairboard) Annual Meeting, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.

September 27 -- Extension Homemakers Achievement Night 6:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds

October 1 -- Extension Homemakers Leader Lesson "Good Grief" 7 p.m. at the Extension Office

October 2 -- Master Gardener Assoc., Julian Bldg., DePauw Room 157, 7 p.m.

October 3-4 -- Bridges Out of Poverty Program, Prindle Institute (DePauw) pre-register by Sept. 26

October 7-13 -- National 4-H Week

Oct. 27 -- Coats for Kids distribution and Community Halloween Festival at Fairgrounds

November 2-3 Extension Homemakers Past Presidents' Arts and Crafts Show at Fairgrounds

November 4 -- 4-H Member Achievement and Volunteer Recognition Program, Fairgrounds, 2 p.m.