“Out of Poverty” is a program of personal change. “Out of Poverty” affirms that change is possible. By following a step-by-step process within a group context, participants take responsibility for their life and choices, commit to learn and practice new behavior, and finally share experiences and thus find a road to a more prosperous life. In letting go of unproductive thoughts, feelings and behaviors and replacing them with new ones participants move towards a better quality of life.

“Out of Poverty” classes will be held on 7 consecutive Mondays, from 9:30am – 12:30pm, starting September 14, 2009 through November 2, 2009 at Catholic Charities, 26 W St Charles Rd. Lombard, IL 60148. No class will be held on Monday October 12th in observance of the Columbus Day Holiday. Baby sitting will be available.

If you would like to enroll in the program or have any questions, please contact Ron Madsen (rmadsen@cc-doj.org) or Jane Tyschenko (jtyschenko@cc-doj.org). There is no fee for this program which is open to all.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Check out this month’s Agency Spotlight on Access DuPage…

Access DuPage Staff

Please click here to read our interview with Kara Murphy, Managing Director of Access DuPage.

Check out this month’s Agency Spotlight on Bridge Communities…

Please click here for the whole story.

Please note that to apply for funding you must fill out a Request for Information (RFI). Requests will not be accepted after August 8. No applications will be accepted without a completed RFI.

To apply for funds, contact Tom Galassini, Director of Agency Relations at tgalassini(at)uw-mc.org or call his direct line: 312-906-2360.

For more information, please click on the link below.

http://www.uw-mc.org/programfunding.html

Although both parents of this Warrenville family were working, they had a very meager income to support their family of five. The family applied for food stamps and submitted all of the information requested of them. Nevertheless, instead of receiving food stamps, they received a notice that their application was denied because they did not provide the information required.

Initially, a Prairie State attorney advised the parents on how to pursue the appeal on their own. When the clients went to the hearing, they were told that the food stamps were denied because they were over income. This was an error, and the clients were able to submit the necessary information and get the food stamp application approved, but at a much lower amount than expected.

At this point, a Prairie State attorney intervened. The attorney collected the necessary information from the clients and calculated the amount of Food Stamps the family was entitled to receive. The attorney then contacted the DHS caseworker directly, and as a result, the household’s food stamp benefits were more than doubled.

With support from United Way of the DuPage Area, these benefits made a substantial difference in providing for the basic nutrition of the household members.