Poverty workshop set for Tuesday

from Foster's Daily Democrat

By Shawn P. Sullivan
Sanford News Editor

SANFORD — Town officials will hold a workshop on Tuesday night to discuss strategies to help those living in poverty in Sanford.

The public is invited to the forum, which will start in council chambers at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Town Hall Annex. The proceedings will be broadcast live on Metrocast Channel 12.

It has been three weeks since Sanford Junior High School Principal Becky Brink delivered her presentation about local poverty to a gathering that included members of Sanford's town council, planning board and school and finance committees. Brink told officials that 65 percent of students enrolled in Sanford's school system live in poverty — a figure based on the number of students who meet federal guidelines to be eligible to receive free or reduced lunch.

To give local poverty a face, Brink told the audience about two students who attended her school. One student could not take care of his hygiene because his family could not afford a washing machine or money for the local laundry — his father was unemployed, his mother was dying from an illness, and their car sat broken down in their driveway. A second student would refuse to part with his coat because at home he had to use it as his bed in a dwelling with holes in the wall and without flooring.

During the three weeks since Brink's presentation on Jan. 22, town officials — and others in the community who have wanted to get involved — have been reading "A Framework for Understanding Poverty," a book written by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D. Brink handed out copies of the book during her presentation, so that it could serve as the centerpiece of Tuesday's workshop.

Brink gave participants a homework assignment — read three chapters a week between Jan. 22 and Feb. 12. On Tuesday, town officials will discuss the book and break up into groups to develop strategies for a hands-on approach to lifting residents out of poverty.

The book's first three chapters define "poverty," explore its language, and reveal the "hidden rules" among the poor, the middle class, and the wealthy.

The fourth chapter discusses generational poverty, the kind experienced by families for decades or longer. The next two chapters focus on the role models and resources that those in poverty seek out, as well as the support groups with which they surround themselves.

The final three chapters of the book provide a blueprint for improving the lives of those in poverty through teaching discipline, inspiring achievement and creating relationships.

During the Jan. 22 workshop, town officials filled out a questionnaire designed to reveal how effectively they'd manage their lives if they lived in poverty, existed in the middle class, or enjoyed wealth. The test asked each person to check off tasks they know how to perform in the three lifestyles.

The "poverty" section of the questionnaire asked the individual if he or she knew how to find the best rummage sales; locate garbage bins at grocery stores that throw out food; bail someone out of jail; physically fight and defend themselves; entertain their friends only with their personality and stories; move to a new place to live in half a day; use a knife as scissors; manage without electricity, a phone, a car or a checking account; prevent their clothes from being stolen at the laundry; and so on.

The "middle-class" section asked the individual if he or she knew how to set a table properly; help their children with their homework; decorate the house for each holiday; get a library card; get the best interest rate on a car loan; use a credit card or a checking or savings account; discuss college with their children; evaluate different kinds of insurance; carry out repairs at their house or call a professional who can do it for them; explain the differences among the principal, interest and escrow statements on their house; and more.

Lastly, the "wealth" section of the exercise asked the individual if he or she knew how to read a menu in English, French and another language; hire a professional decorator to help decorate their home during the holidays; name their preferred financial adviser, lawyer, designer, hairdresser and domestic-employment service; enroll their children in their preferred private school; support or buy the work of a particular artist; own two homes and keep them staffed and maintained; name their favorite restaurants in countries around the world; read a corporate balance sheet or analyze their own financial statements; and more.

Since her presentation last month, Brink said she has received dozens of phone calls and e-mails from people interested in joining the discussion about Sanford's poverty and trying to help solve the problem. She said as many as 18 people — not all parents — showed up at the junior high school and asked what they could do to help.

Brink said last week that she has handed out the extra copies of "A Framework for Understanding Poverty"and needs to order more.

"It is overwhelming, and it shows that poverty is a real concern," she said. "People understand and want to help solve the problem."

She added that she also has received offers of donations of clothing, money and furniture to help poverty-stricken students and their families.

A Student Assistance Team, operated by teachers, uses the funds to buy clothes, sporting equipment, musical instruments and other items to help economically disadvantaged students stay warm and get involved in school, Brink said.

"The more students get involved in sports or any other after-school activity, the more they are involved in school," she said.

While the donations are appreciated and welcome, Brink noted, they also serve more as a "Band-Aid," a short-term reprieve for a long-standing problem. The key is to move those in poverty into the middle class.

On Tuesday, town officials will begin developing strategies that they hope will accomplish that goal.

"What direction do we want to take?" Brink asked. "How do we teach people to come up out of poverty and help themselves?