CAMDEN — Dr. Regina Lewis will address the issue of poverty as the guest speaker at the “Bridges Out of Poverty” seminar being hosted by the HUB and community leaders on Nov. 3.
The one-day seminar will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the SAU Tech Student Center. The cost of the seminar is $35 and will include the seminar, the "Bridges Out of Poverty "book and workbook, a light breakfast, snacks, and lunch.
The seminar is an initiative that has a proven track record across the country - including at least six communities in Arkansas, according to a news release. Camden will be the first community in south Arkansas to adopt the plan.
Organizers hope that the plan will spread throughout the county and others will be encouraged to become involved as mentors and volunteers, the news release states. The seminar is geared toward employers, city and county officials, law enforcement, first responders, community organizations, educators, counselors, health care and social service providers, religious leaders, and anyone who is interested in building a sustainable community.
According to the Bridges Out of Poverty website, the plan’s initiative helps communities “move individuals from poverty to self-sufficiency; reduce social costs related to crime, poor health, and welfare; strengthen educational attainment and job skills; enhance economic development; improve on-the-job productivity; revitalize neighborhoods; and build sustainable communities where everyone can live well.”
Johnny Hobbie, the HUB chairman, said that “people from Ouachita County are coming together with a common goal of relieving the suffering among our neighbors. When we formed the HUB, we promised to address poverty in a new way. This is a desire shared by leaders and citizens throughout our community. We do not want to put a band-aid on this problem. We want to address this issue in a way that will offer hope to those who need it most. We wanted to offer a hand up, not a hand out.”
For more information or to sign up for the seminar, call 870-231-1111, or visit www.thehubofcamden.org.