Six months have passed since my last entry regarding the "Getting Ahead" workshops that began in the fall of 2013, and in these past months, many changes have occurred.  The Cluster Outreach Center began a new project in January to become a Housing Resource Center though a partnership with Montgomery County (much to come about that later), and we've doubled our staff.  The building is bursting at the seams with a lot of energy and additional resources within our walls!  It's been a wonderful transformation; however, it has taken me away from the blog and hoping to post regularly now as the third series of workshops began earlier this month.

The workshops have also gotten a new name as part of the Cluster's UP3 (Understanding Poverty to Plan and Persevere) Initiative.  UP3 includes the "Getting Ahead" 16-workshop curriculum and follow-up to the graduating investigators to help reach their future plans in becoming more stable. 

 Please come along on the journey to better understand poverty and those who live in the shadows struggling to survive.  
 

The Getting Ahead Initiative is beginning a week from today, September 10 from 12-3pm with a group of 13 investigators facilitated by Ryan Keiser, Caseworker and Amy Rossman, Programs Manager. The 16 week curriculum investigates poverty and the effects on individuals, families, and the community concluding with each investigator creating a future plan for moving towards self-sufficiency and "getting ahead."

We are still in need of LUNCHES. If you or anyone you know would be interested in sponsoring a lunch or a portion of a lunch for the investigators, please contact Amy Rossman via FB or at the outreach center. The workshops will be for the next 13 Tuesdays until mid-December and will reconvene after the new year to complete the remaining 3 to total 16. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Updates will become more regular as we begin next week.  :)  

WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH A LOCATION, LUNCH, and CHILDCARE ---- 

The Pottstown Cluster is beginning the second group for the Getting Ahead Initiative on Tuesday, August 20, from 12noon -3pm. We are awaiting decision of a local church to use their space but are looking for a BACK-UP LOCATION in close proximity to PCRC in case the pending location is not possible. The time includes LUNCH and CHILDCARE for the 12 investigators in the group and am looking for sponsors for both, especially help with childcare. The workshops are every Tuesday, for 16 workshops, from 12-3 but if only one or two Tuesdays work, we will be appreciative of any assistance offered!

If you or someone you know would be interested in providing space (needs to accommodate the workshop and space for childcare), lunch or a portion of lunch, or childcare from 12-3, please contact Amy Rossman at 610.970.5995 or arossman@pottstowncluster.org


 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

 HOW IS TIME SPENT IN POVERTY, MIDDLE CLASS, and WEALTH? 

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