Bridges To Sustainable Communities: A Systemwide, Cradle-to-Grave Approach To Ending Poverty In America

Bridges to Sustainable Communities: A Systemwide, Cradle-to-Grave Approach to Ending Poverty in America

Most anti-poverty programs lack a system-wide scope of effort. But when ALL stakeholders people in poverty, communities, businesses, organizations--come to the table with a coherent plan of action, amazing things happen. This book includes clear examples and proven best-practices of what s possible when we re all on the same page. It is a collection of articles published by Philip DeVol, co-author of Bridges Out Of Poverty and a leading voice in helping people come together to end poverty. These papers give you new models, ideas, applications, and tools that present guidelines and action steps.ReviewAfter spending several years working on trying to retain people from welfare in manufacturing jobs at Cascade Engineering, it was Phil DeVol s insights that made the difference. We learned that not only did we need to understand our welfare employees life situations, we needed to change from judging their actions to meeting their needs. Not only did we succeed in retaining our welfare employees, we improved our overall culture and support for all employees. We call our program Welfare to Career because people stay for our lifestyle, not just a job. --Fred Keller, Chairman and CEO Cascade Engineering Grand Rapids, MichiganI have consistently relied on the Bridges Out of Poverty training that I was fortunate to receive as a state trial court judge in operating a drug court docket. The Bridges curriculum was the catalyst that guided the concepts and creation of Better Lives, Better Ohio, a web-based social health index to help Ohio achieve greater economic and social prosperity. The Bridges concepts work at the individual, community, and state levels. I have seen this in action as many individuals rise from poverty, better understanding the resources they have and how to obtain them from their communities. Those helped by Bridges often become motivated to give back to their communities. Our communities benefit from the integration and participation of many, reflecting the true spirit of democracy. Bridges concepts help restore the vigor of the American dream so that individuals from all walks of life can imagine and write their own future stories. Bridges to Sustainable Communities is a needed next step in helping our communities do the same. --Jennifer Brunner, Secretary of State, State of OhioThe Bridges Out of Poverty program in South Bend and St. Joseph County has served as a catalyst to bring together social service agencies, government, institutions and businesses to form partnerships that we had envisioned but never before achieved. People with different backgrounds and political leanings found common ground and mission. Most importantly, individuals who have experienced generational poverty are enriching the discussion as we learn from each other. This is critical to the success of the initiative. One of the aspects of Bridges Out of Poverty that I find most effective is the feedback loops that allow for continual review and improvement. This book shows the growth and refinement of the Bridges effort, which has kept it fresh and effective. --Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor, South Bend, IndianaAbout the AuthorPhilip E. DeVol is a trainer, writer, consultant, and program designer specializing in community sustainability and poverty issues. In addition to co-authoring Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities, he authored Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting -By World: Building Your Resources for a better Life, which is the foundation of a broader effort to engage individuals in solving community challenges through planning, teamwork, and a better understanding of resources. DeVol also works extensively with businesses, organizations, and communities to adapt innovative high-impact Bridges strategies to their settings, as well as to build expertise, communication, and understanding among all parties. These efforts keep him in daily contact with people from all walks of life-and all