Poverty workshop set for Oct. 17

    DOVER-FOXCRTOFT — Thursday, Oct. 17 Donna M. Beegle, Ed.D. will be welcomed to the Center Theatre to lead a daylong workshop about poverty and what it means for our children,  families and seniors. 

 
    Beegle was born into multigenerational poverty. She spent the first 28 years of life essentially homeless – functionally illiterate, uneducated and unskilled. As a child, she worked at migrant labor jobs, temporary seasonal work, fast food businesses, house cleaning, etc. At 15, Beegle had left school, was married and soon had two children. She is the only one of her family who hasn’t been in jail.
    In 1986, Beegle took part in a pilot welfare-to-work program. She tells her own story best — but through the support of this program and, particularly the people she met who helped her get her GED and then encouraged her to go further, she earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.
    This poverty workshop is hosted by Helping Hands with Heart and the Maine Highlands Senior Center, and is made possible through sponsorship by the Bingham Program and more than 15 area businesses, schools and non-profit agencies.
    There is a cost to help cover materials and food. Scholarships as well as financial support for childcare and transportation are available for individuals and family members who are living in poverty.
    To learn more about or to register, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013PovertySeminar  Pre-registration is required in order to attend. Please contact Sue Mackey Andrews at sdmandrews@aol.com or 564-8245 with your questions, or to talk more about a scholarship, childcare or transportation support.