1000 x 90

High Country Poverty Awareness Day – The State of the Child Community Conference Held April 11

April 1, 2014. The Children’s Council, the Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) a community based advisory group, Circles of the High Country and Hospitality House are pleased to announce the High Country Poverty Awareness Day – The State of the Child, a community conference on April 11 starting at 9 a.m. at Alliance Bible Church located at 1035 N.C. 105 Bypass in Boone. 

The purpose of this conference is to discuss and collaborate with fellow community members on how poverty affects children in Watauga County. It is an excellent opportunity for parents, professionals, local government officials and staff, caregivers, educators, faith leaders and other community members to gain knowledge about the available resources in our area that can be used to assist children and families facing poverty related issues. Additionally, the Poverty Awareness Day conference will serve as a platform for sharing and exchanging ideas on how our community can better serve families and children dealing with poverty in Watauga County. 

The conference will start with a poverty simulation led by Chatty Majoni from Circles of the High Country. This compelling activity takes participants through four 15-minute weeks of poverty followed by a group discussion. Conference attendees are strongly encouraged to engage in the poverty simulation as it is an essential component for relating and empathizing with people facing poverty in our area.

Following the poverty simulation, professionals from the Watauga County Department of Social Services, Watauga County Schools, Hospitality House, Child Development Services of Blue Ridge and the ASU Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program will serve on a speaker panel. Each speaker will present their ideas, work and contributions to issues concerning poverty in Watauga County. There will be an opportunity for discussion with the speakers as well as an opportunity for conference attendees to share information and input. 

In the afternoon, the WNCC of the United Methodist Church will offer Bridges Out of Poverty training. Bridges Out of Poverty is a nationally acclaimed program designed to move individuals from poverty to self-sufficiency, reduce social costs, strengthen educational attainment and job skills, enhance economic development, improve on-the-job productivity, revitalize neighborhoods and build sustainable communities. This program is a proven solution for communities dedicated to solving poverty related issues. 

Please RSVP online at TheChildrensCouncil.org by April 4. Registration is free and full and half-day registrations are available. There will be complimentary breakfast provided by Stickboy Bread Company and a complimentary bagged sandwich lunch as well. 

Please join us in helping create awareness, dialog and real solutions for poverty in our community.

For more information, please call The Children’s Council at 828-262-5424 or the Hospitality House at 828-264-1237.