One thing that I have been trying very hard to work at is getting the community to work together to help people.  We have so many needs in our area, but also have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be used to help meet those needs.  This is why I, along with Mayor Jack Diamond, helped to put together a meeting where representatives from local organizations (such as Social Services, ACC, Adirondack Chamber of Commerce, etc....) could present information, as well as listen to some questions and concerns from local people, in a non-threatening environment.  A representative from the Post Star was at the meeting, and wrote up a wonderful article (that I will close this blog with).  Many, many thanks to everyone involved in this meeting.  I have heard a lot of positive feedback from people, and am very hopeful that this will set a precedent for many more meetings to come.

 

Poverty is focus at forum
Published: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Post Star
 by Staff writer Maury Thompson

Dale Johnson of Queensbury took a seat beside me and started talking about how he survived for a few years by picking up returnable bottles and cans.

"I made $19,000 in three years on nickel deposits," he said.

It wasn't your typical chamber of commerce mixer.
There was no 50-50 raffle.
The prize for attending was a bag supper to take home and a candid conversation about what it takes to climb out of poverty.

Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus and other speakers emphasized the importance of education.
About 40 people attended the forum at Christ Church United Methodist, organized by the Open Door soup kitchen and Glens Falls Mayor John "Jack" Diamond.

Shimkus said working through temporary employment agencies or volunteering for nonprofit groups is a way to establish employment references.

"Now you've got someone to back up your story that you've changed and you're ready to make a difference," he said.

Volunteering may count toward work requirements for receiving government assistance, if proper arrangements are made, said Warren County Social Services Commissioner Sheila Weaver.
Adirondack Community College can help arrange financial aid and work study opportunities for those with a general equivalency diploma, said Brian Durant, dean for student affairs at the college. College counselors can help students identify career possibilities and a course of study, he said.

The regional BOCES has a program to help adult students prepare to take the GED examination, and teens can get assistance through area high schools, said John Woodell Freire, director of guidance at Glens Falls High School.
The complexity of requirements for social services programs can be frustrating, but requirements are dictated by state and federal law, Weaver said. She said those who have difficulty making it to appointments should contact her office to discuss solutions.

Diamond said the forum was the first step in an effort to establish communication with the poor. "This is going to take us some time," Diamond said.

Shimkus said business and civic leaders will meet this week to plan a new regional initiative to assist the unemployed.
The "Work United Initiative" will expand on a program established a few months ago to assist with food and heat this winter, he said.