Join a wide coalition of interested people and organizations from Polk County and the Thermal Belt Ministerial Association as we meet on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Polk County Middle School auditorium to increase our understandings of the impact of poverty on our lives. Achieving a fuller understanding of the dynamics that living with few financial resources impose on families will help us as a community to work more powerfully together to alleviate the hardships. Our goal is to make the good life available to everyone in Polk County. Everyone benefits.

Susan Pennock is our speaker and seminar leader. She has been engaged in community development for 20 years and is passionate about developing rural initiatives that respond to the needs of families and children impacted by poverty.  Much of her work has been focused on developing collaborative community of faith partnerships.  Susan is a facilitator, trainer, and coach in the region, across the state, and at the national level.  She is currently an independent consultant working with the Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church, Communities In Schools of North Carolina and LeaderComm.  Additionally, she provides training to schools, communities, non-profits and agencies.   Susan and her family live in Hendersonville, N.C. and have four children.

We will explore the impact of poverty and its effects on communication, interaction and expectations; factors that impact school success; the impact of stress and emotional development; the impact of positive relationships and support; and next steps that we can take to begin working on these issues together.

Our time together will culminate with the presentations from various Polk County agencies and organizations that will allow you to follow your interests and calling to be part of a “next step” in alleviating the hardships of poverty in our communities.

We’ll have representatives to speak with you from the Department of Social Services, Thermal Belt Outreach Ministries, Congregations 4 Children (C4C), the Positive Youth Development Coalition, Polk County Schools and the Grow Healthy Food Where People Live Coalition.

A light sandwich lunch will be provided so that everyone can mingle and continue their conversations that will lead to a stronger Polk County for everyone.

For more information call Rev. Rob Parsons 828-606-3452.

-Submitted by Rob Parsons