about HOPE

HOPE Ministries, Capital Area United Way member agency, A workshop

serves the impoverished of East Baton Rouge Parish by
helping families at-risk for homelessness reach self- for case
sufficiency through three primary programs:
Family Mentoring Program managers,
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World poverty
workshop series social workers
Client Choice Food Pantry
HOPE’s team, with over 75 years combined experience or anyone
working with people in at-risk communities, along with our
volunteers establish relationships that help the people we who wants to
serve become independent with dignity. HOPE has con-
ducted multiple trainings for volunteers who mentor people learn more
in crisis. And HOPE volunteers have given thousands of
hours serving families in need. about the
For more information, go to www.hopebr.org
impact of
about the trainer poverty and
Richard “Dick” Stonich, retired Senior Vice President and
Corporate Secretary of Iberville Bank, has more than 38 years how to help
experience in the banking and financial industry. After his
retirement, Dick began volunteering with HOPE as a financial
consultant for our clients and he facilitates Getting Ahead in a
Just-Gettin’-By World workshop series. Dick is committed to
helping people understand how correctly managing finances
Understanding
can truly change their life circumstances. With vast experi-
the dynamics of
Poverty
ence and knowledge, Dick helps workshop participants
explore the issues that many families face today in an
interactive, motivating and thought-provoking manner.
Dick’s extensive work with the impoverished and his personal
history with alcohol addiction and subsequent rehabilitation
and recovery give him personal knowledge of the struggles
people in poverty face on a day-to-day basis. He has traveled This program has been approved for
throughout the nation speaking to groups through Alcoholics six (6) continuing education contact hours by the
Anonymous. HOPE Ministries contracts with Dick to instruct National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter,
the “Understanding the Dynamics of Poverty” workshop based as authorized by the
upon his lifelong experience in the financial industry, his ex- Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners,
tensive work with the impoverished and his personal experi- and may be applied toward the continuing education requirements
ence with addictive disorders. for licensure renewal.
why attend? so you can:
Understand poverty’s impact on individuals,
families and society
Recognize the 4 impact areas of poverty research
Be aware of the hidden rules of economic class
Learn the 11 personal resources each individual
possesses and how to help build these resources
Realize how language, family structure and other
social barriers help keep people in poverty
Understand how building strong relationships
helps alleviate racial and socio-economic biases
Change common mind-sets and address stereo-
types about people who live in poverty
Recognize the differences between generational
and situational poverty
Increase compassion and thus enhance how people
are treated so that the community as a whole can
respond with kindness and care
who should attend?
Case Managers
Social Workers
Counselors
Teachers
Anyone working with people in poverty
what people are saying about it:
“Since attending the workshop, I have found that my per-
ception of everyday interactions and observations has
changed significantly. One of the most memorable lessons I
learned at the workshop was the „unwritten rules‟ of the
lower, middle, and upper classes. I think about these daily
as I go about my life. I see things differently now.”
“This information is valuable not only to counselors, case
managers, and program managers, but also to those who
write grants for programs that include or target the impover-
ished.”
“Very effective — changed my mind-set.”
“I attended this seminar in December and found the training
superior. If you work with a population that is impover-
ished, or if you just want to better understand the dynamics
of poverty, I highly recommend the seminar.”
“This course should be required for every minister and pa-
rishioner!”
“Very informative and helpful for understanding my clients
in poverty-stricken areas.”
when and where?
HOPE can bring the workshop to you, your agency or
your community, or you can attend one of the multiple
workshops scheduled throughout the year in Baton
Rouge. To find out more about scheduling and cost,
contact Janet Simmons at 255-355-0702 ext. 22 or
email at jsimmons@hopebr.org.