Bridges Out of Poverty recipe for success

Foodshare staff member Jill Nulsen is volunteering as an "ally" or mentor in the Bridges out of Poverty/Getting Ahead program.  She sent me this message recently about working with the "Investigator" or program participant recently:

"I met with the 'Investigator' that I am paired with this last Saturday for our regular meeting, and it was so exciting to see HER excited at how things are beginning to come together for her! She mentioned Foodshare staffer, Jim’s name in the conversation, having been at an event that he was at in the prior week, had several flyers that she shared with me, and most importantly, a solid plan that she was putting into action.  So, here's what struck me about how this program works!"

A Recipe for Success!

Ingredients:

1.       Bridges Out of Poverty/Getting Ahead graduate with a small business idea

2.       Hunger Action Team staffer, Jim Palma, affecting her at an event at the Hartford Public Library

3.       Community incentives  and opportunities that she comes across at the library, her church and in the community

4.       Bridges Out of Poverty/Getting Ahead ally that is her accountability partner and encourager

The ingredients are not always mixed together in the same order or at the same rate, but the outcome is a woman who feels empowered to start her own business out of her home and garners support from the community, possibly with start-up funding, and works toward specific, attainable goals. Foodshare is a critical link for this woman and she looks to us for direction and support, through staffers she has met along the way.

For these graduates, Foodshare is a food source and an opportunity source as we work together with others in the community, from HAT members to Allies to government programs that have the potential to radically improve her life and the future of her granddaughter.

-Bridges Out of Poverty Ally and Foodshare Staffer, Jill Nulsen