Transcript Slide 1

Hope in Action
Ending Poverty
Through Systemic Change
Systemic Change: Mentoring
© 2014, National Council of the United States
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Inc. This copyright
covers all materials in this presentation except
where otherwise noted.
Team Members
Name
Position
Steve Cigich
District Council President – Waukesha WI
Irene Frechette
Diocese Council President – Fall River MA
Tom Pelger
Diocese Council President – Peoria IL
Jeanne Harper
(2014)
Vice President – North Central Region
Mike Syslo
(2013)
Senior Director of Governance– National Office
Tamara Thrasher
(2013)
Service Trainer – Cincinnati OH Archdiocese Council
2
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Objectives for this module
By the end of this session you will understand:
 What a mentoring program wrapped-around a
“Getting Ahead” workshop might look like
 The key roles within the mentoring program
and how to recruit and train people
 How to start a mentoring program initiative in
your area – either on a small or large scale
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Approach to this Session
 Interactive presentation
 Small & large group discussion
This is a journey; we do not have all of the
answers – we only offer a pathway.
As all Vincentian endeavors, we will learn from
experience and interactions with each other.
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Agenda
The objectives will be accomplished by examining the
following attributes of a mentoring program:
1. Its Power – what is its tie to systemic change?
2. Mechanics – why and how will it work?
3. Roles – who are the players and their positions?
4. Getting started – how to implement in my area?
Learning will be augmented with Q & A and table talk.
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
1. Systemic Change and
Mentoring
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
OUR VISION
END POVERTY
THROUGH
SYSTEMIC CHANGE
….One Person
One Neighborhood
One Community at a time
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Cornerstones of Society’s Systemic
Change Effort
 Empowerment
 Mentoring
 Collaboration
 Advocacy
Mentoring requires empowerment, collaboration & advocacy
Vision: End Poverty
through Systemic Change
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Society’s Mission:
Charity & Justice
 Today’s home visit: immediate,
but temporary aid
 Mentoring committed
individuals out of poverty
 Engaging parish in advocacy
Vision: End Poverty
through Systemic Change
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentoring Objective
Empower people to move out of poverty
through:
 Education & skill development
 Supportive relationships
 Social & professional connections
 Spiritual growth
 Community engagement
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Program Values
Every Getting Ahead Investigator …
 has autonomy and is responsible for their own
actions
 has the potential to grow
 deserves empathy and compassion
 has sacred dignity
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
2. The Mentoring Program –
Why and How
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
The Mentoring Program
Mentoring wrapped-around
“Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin by World,”
a 16-20 session adult-learning workshop
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Getting Ahead’s
Principles on Poverty
 Poverty is the extent a person lacks resources
 The causes of poverty (based on research) are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Individual behaviors and choices
Social and community structure and resources
Exploitation
Economic and political structures
 Provide tools for individuals to solve their own
problem of poverty
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
“If you have come
to help me, you
can go home
again. But if you
see my struggles
as a part of your
own survival, then
perhaps we can
work together.”
–Lila Watson, an
Aboriginal Woman
from Australia
© aha! Process, Inc.
Getting Ahead is Based on the
“theory of change”
“People in poverty might need to change but
no more than anyone else in our society.”
“People in poverty need an accurate
perception of how poverty impacts their lives
and an understanding of economic realities
as a starting point both for reasoning and for
developing plans for transition”.
© aha! Process, Inc.
 Philip DeVol
Philosophy of Getting Ahead
 Grounded in the theory of change
 Safe, challenging, neutral, agenda-free
learning environment
 “Kitchen-table” learning experience
 Content & peer dialogue contribute to
learning
 “Investigators” do the work of learning
© aha! Process, Inc.
Mentoring Program
Table Talk
What are the benefits of success?
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentoring Program - Process
3 Stages:
Acceptance
Getting Ahead – “Develop Future Story”
Implementation
View through Investigator Lens
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Stage 1: Acceptance
 Candidate:
 Learns of mentoring program and makes
contact
 Meets with 2 mentors to discuss program
features, benefits, expectations, and address
questions
 Addresses fundamental issue: Are they willing
to undertake a process that will challenge them
to change?
Candidate makes decision to continue or not
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Purpose of Getting Ahead:
What Do I as a Investigator Get?
 Explore and analyze the themes of my life
 Assess my resources
 Make my own arguments for change
 Build my own future story
 Make my own choices
 Prepare myself to take a seat at the decisionmaking table in my community
© aha! Process, Inc.
Stage 2: Getting Ahead
Outcomes
 Candidates become Investigators in GA:
 Develop ‘mental models’ regarding their
current situation
 Learn about poverty, hidden rules, & change
 Assess their own & community resources
 Develop their “future story”
 Develop a plan to build resources and achieve
their “future story”
© aha! Process, Inc.
Stage 2: Getting Ahead
Relational Support
 Candidates:
 Learn from each other
 Form a peer support network
 Facilitators guide the process
 Mentors provide encouragement
Demonstrates the power of working
together in a community
© aha! Process, Inc.
Stage 3: Implementation
 Investigators:
 Work to achieve their “future story”
through building their personal resources
 Look to mentors for:
 Support & encouragement
 An ear to listen and a voice to help guide
 Connection to others to help build personal
resources (“bridging capital”)
Investigators set the pace.
They’re responsible for own progress
© aha! Process, Inc.
Mentoring Process
3 Stages:
Acceptance
Getting Ahead – “Develop Future Story”
Implementation
View through Program Lens
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Stage 1: Acceptance
 Program operations:
 Program communication – word of mouth,
brochure, media coverage, partner agency
referrals, etc. . .
 Triage process to connect Candidates with
Mentors
 Database development and maintenance
 Mentors:
 Establish relationship – utilize Investigators
Information Record as needed
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Stage 2: Getting Ahead
 Program operations:
 Secure facility for classroom, meals, and
childcare
 Assign investigators and facilitators to class
sessions
 Secure and distribute all materials
 Mentor role
 Facilitator role
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Stage 3: Implementation
 Program operation:
 Coordinate mentor, facilitator, and investigator
support groups
 Monitor progress
 Mentors
 Persistent but not overbearing
 Guide, cajole, challenge, encourage, affirm,
support. . .
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Parking Lot Questions???
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
“Getting Ahead in a Just
Getting By World”
- The Workshop
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Philip DeVol
Information for Facilitators,
Sponsors and Community
Collaboratives
Philip DeVol
Copyright © 2006 by Philip E. DeVol. All rights reserved.
www.ahaprocess.com
ACTION
Process Triangle
Plans
RESPONSIBILITY
Action steps
Future stories
Page 2
Critical analysis
What it means to me
Theory of change
How to build resources
POWER
RUBY PAYNE’S
FRAMEWORK
UNDERSTANDING
POVERTY
What it’s
like now
Using the hidden
rules of class to
build resources
UNDERSTANDING
WHERE I AM
Monitoring
our changes
Self-assessment
Causes of
poverty
Community assessment
CO-INVESTIGATION
Introduction
32
Copyright 2012 by DeVol & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. www.gettingaheadnetwork.com
“Getting Ahead”: What’s Involved?




Closed group – ideally, 6–10 people
Basic program - 16-20 sessions of 2.5-3 hours
Meet once or twice a week
Puts Bridges and Investigators knowledge into a
series of mental models
 Facilitator helps investigators explore solutions;
doesn’t teach / tell them what to do
 Best results if there is long-term support from
community partners for investigators’ plans
© aha! Process, Inc.
Spiritual Reflection & Discussion
 SVdP added
 Two reflection & discussion handouts for each
module (one for each session)
 Format:
 Scripture quote related to topics discussed
 Reflection questions
 Group sharing questions
 Closing prayer
 Select (or create your own) one for each week’s
material…use them to close your session
Program Design Considerations
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Sample Budget
Getting Ahead Group of 8 with 16-20 Sessions
Line Item
Expense
Description
$25 Stipend / Investigator /
session
$3,200
6-10 is the ideal group size. Stipend paid
by gift card (store, gas, bus pass etc.)
Getting Ahead workbooks
$156 + S&H
8 Investigator workbooks
Facilitator Training
SVdP Webinar
$38 + S&H
Investigator & Facilitator manuals; Mar &
May 2014, others to be scheduled
Bridges Facilitator DVD
$165 + S&H
Optional - Module-by-module ideas
Facilitators
0 - $900
$0 if volunteers. If using GA graduate
investigators, pay at least same as
investigator stipends.
Workshop & Investigator
supplies
< $500
Flip-chart paper, colored markers; folders,
paper, pen, pencils for investigators.
Child care, transportation,
food
0 - $1000
Ideally, food & baby-sitting would be inkind; provided by parishioners, area
churches.
36
Copyright 2012 by DeVol & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. www.gettingaheadnetwork.com
Investigator Financial Support
 Primary assistance is not financial but personal,
emotional support thru the journey out of poverty
 Take care not to enable the current situation through
ongoing subsidies of basic living expenses
 Additional financial aid could take the form of
“investments” that empower the individual (e.g.
education, job skill training, certification…)
Any decision for financial aid should be brought back to
the conference for approval
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Process Oversight & Support
 Establish mentoring support group for
mentors to share lessons learned
 Conduct background checks & child safe
environment training
 Establish procedure that enables
Investigators to contact an independent
Vincentian if there are problems in the
mentoring relationship
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Collaboration
 Councils / Conferences - - provide training,
mentoring support groups, mentor oversight;
GA organization & facilitation; community
resource analysis
 Partners - - links to organizations that provide
resource building programs in the community
 Businesses - - partnership funding, job interview
preference for Investigators
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Religion & Evangelization
 Open to Investigators of all faiths
 As the relationship deepens, it will be natural for
mentors to share their faith experience…but don’t
force our faith or its beliefs
 Be open about talking about Jesus the man /
teacher
 For Investigators who want to learn more about
the Catholic faith, connect them to RCIA program
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentoring Program
Table Talk
What are the barriers in your area?
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
3. The Mentoring Program –
The Roles
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentoring Program Roles
 Candidates / Investigators
 Mentors
 Facilitators
 Support teams
 Supporting Community Organizations
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Getting Ahead Candidates
page 127-128 Facilitator Guide
Primary Consideration
 Desire to improve their life situation and willingness to
make personal changes to accomplish their goals
Other Considerations
 Open to accepting outside help
 Strength to overcome resistance from family & friends
 From an unstable environment and/or poverty
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Continuum of GA Candidates
Extremely
Unstable
Environments
Daily life disrupted
by violence, illness,
addiction, disabilities,
and/or unstable
community conditions.
Highly affected by
generational poverty.
Stabilizing the
environment and building
resources may take a very
long time.
Unstable Environments
Daily life can be stabilized enough with
supports to attended weekly or bi-weekly
sessions. People in generational and
situational poverty. Building resources may
take a long time.
Fairly Stable
Environments
Daily life can be
organized fairly easily.
May be able to build
resources quickly.
Some people in
situational poverty.
© aha! Process, Inc.
Mentors’ Role
 Team of 2 Vincentians
 “Connectors” / Cheerleaders / Friends
 Not counselors / experts in every field which the
Investigator may need to develop to move out of
poverty
 Help the Investigator implement their plan
 Facilitate connections to community sources that
enable them to build personal “resources” and
achieve their plans
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentor Attitude, Knowledge, and Skills
 Understand aha! Process concepts
 Ability to:
 form a trusting relationship easily
 mentor another person’s self-discovery
 work with a co-mentor
 be accepting and non-judgmental
 Someone who is a survivor but doesn’t carry the
“baggage”
 Can be empathetic without being “taken”
 Can laugh and have fun
 Can see the best in those who can’t always see it in
themselves
Facilitators’ Role
 Lead Investigators through the Getting Ahead
program (Discovery, Goal Setting, and Planning)
 Augments the Mentor role as another resource for the
Investigator
 Separate the problem / issue from the person
 Raise difficult issues
 Encourage accountability
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Facilitator Attitude, Knowledge, and Skills
 Understand aha! Process concepts
 Ability to:
© aha! Process, Inc.
 translate from formal to casual register
 facilitate another person’s self-discovery
 work in the adult voice
 work with a co-facilitator
 work effectively as someone from the dominant culture
 have a non-judgmental attitude
 Someone who is a survivor but doesn’t carry the “baggage”
 Can be empathetic without being “taken”
 Can laugh and have fun
 Can see the best in those who can’t always see it in themselves
Support Teams
 Meals – provide ‘family style’ meal for Investigators,
children, facilitators, and team members
 Child Care – provide services for children while parents
are going through workshop session
 Affirmation – purchase gift cards; provide material
items (personal care, certificates, trinkets) to affirm
and show appreciation for their hard work; order GA
books; make copies of handouts
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Community Support
 Identify “common cause” organizations:





Food pantries
Homeless shelters
Workforce Development
“Abuse” shelters
Those who provide education & training to the poor
 Develop educational strategy
 Hold open-forum discussion sessions
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
4. Operationalization
A Tale of Two Cities
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Waukesha County Wisconsin
Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic
change
Universal Education
KEY CONCEPT
Education Sessions – The Bridges Poverty Lens &
Mentoring Program Overview
 Provide knowledge on working effectively with
those in poverty
 Learn about the mentoring program
By the end, be in the position to discern the possible role
they might play
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Development Team
 Establish program scope and overall design
 Establish guidelines, process flows, and
material requirements for your local process
 Attract people
 Communication (Newsletters, invitations, other)
 Marketing
 Public relations
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Planning Decisions
Identifying candidates
 From SVdP home visits
 SVdP store employees?
 Referrals from other community
organizations?
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Planning Decisions
How will the program be funded?
 Council-budgeted?
 Conferences sponsoring Investigators?
 Collaboration with other community
organizations / businesses?
 Grant?
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Planning Decisions
 Who will organize the programs?
 District Council level across conferences in a
‘densely populated’ community
 Conference level in smaller towns, more rural
or isolated settings
 SVdP only? or in partnership with other
community organizations?
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Planning Decisions
 Scheduling & Frequency
 10 modules in 16-20 sessions
 Evening? Saturday? Afternoon?
Flex to best time for Investigators
 Once or twice a week
 Frequency of workshop offering
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Creating the Environment for
Graduate Investigators to Succeed
 Network of collaboration partners
 Programs that build personal “resources”
 Share in expense of running GA & making “investments”
in resource-building
 Businesses that can provide better jobs
 Foster support groups
 Mentoring teams
 Peer support groups
 Engage graduate investigators in community assessments &
planning
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Implementation Team
 Preparatory events
 Introductory – Generate interest
 Education – The Bridges Lens, the Mentoring
Program
 Training – Mentors, facilitators, support teams
 Information management / communication
 Database
 Communication (email, print, local media)
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Implementation Team, continued
 Mentoring program set-up
 Secure facility
 Coordinate mentors, facilitators, and support
teams
 Support group set-up
 Investigators
 Mentors
 Facilitators
 Support Groups
Facility
 Neutral sites like:




Churches
Libraries
Community centers
Easy access by bus, easy parking
 Facilities:
 Wall space for the mental models
 Round tables (kitchen table learning experience)
 Space for child care & food prep / storage / serving
© aha! Process, Inc.
Operational Team
In addition to maintaining and running established
activities, pay attention to:
 Establish feedback loops to gather vital input
required to tweak and improve the program
 Share what you have learned with other Vincentians
 Monitor and report on progress
 Operational – number educated, trained, Investigators
 Outcomes – the measures agreed upon locally
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Attracting Program Team
Mentors
Facilitators
Support Teams
Other Organizations
Transforming Lives...Ending poverty through systemic change
Attraction through Discernment
1. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in people’s lives
 Require Universal Education – lead them to training
(facilitator, mentor, support)
2. After training, provide ‘Discernment Questions
 Indicate interest by signing-up for a Discernment Interview
 Perform background checks, provide child-safe training
where appropriate
 Discuss answers to questions to determine if it’s a right fit
Education / Training / Screening Paths
1. Education Sessions – The Bridges Poverty Lens & Mentoring
Program Overview
 Gain knowledge to discern if further training is for them
2. Functional Training Sessions – Mentor, Facilitator, or Support
Team
 Mentor and Support Teams done locally
 Facilitator done nationally via SVdP webinar
 Discern if becoming a practitioner is right for them
After training, hold a ‘discernment interview’ to determine
if there is a right fit.
Mentor Training
“No significant learning change
occurs without a significant
relationship of mutual respect.”
- - - Adapted from Dr. James Comer
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentor Training
 Developed and performed locally – may include:
 Outline of “Getting Ahead” so mentor knows what to
expect
 Relationship aspects (e.g., accepting others as they are,
building trust, listening & observation, affirming,
empowering dynamic, healing presence, compassion)
 Change theory and motivation (stages, barriers, and
motivational techniques)
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Facilitator Training
 SVdP’s “Getting Ahead” facilitator webinar (2 x 3½ hr
sessions) - No charge, except for purchase of Bridges books
 Next webinars: Oct 24 & 28 (2-5:30pm Central); Nov 4 & 13
(5-8:30pm Central)
• Prerequisites:
• Attend workshop including Systemic Change Overview and
Bridges Individual Lens DVD
 Read: Bridges Out of Poverty, Bridges to Sustainable
Communities
 Getting Ahead Facilitator Notes & Getting Ahead
Investigator Workbook used in the webinar
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Marinette Wisconsin
Tale of Mechanics
 History
 Interventions of the Holy Spirit
 Round 1 – Started 2011 – Classes Jan-May 2012
 Round 2 -- Spring 2013
 Round 3 – Spring 2014
 Round 4 – Fall 2014
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Mentoring Program
Value vs Effort
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
Last Chance (for now) –
Questions?
Hope in Action…ending poverty through systemic change
OUR VISION
END POVERTY
THROUGH
SYSTEMIC CHANGE
…. One Person
One Neighborhood
One Community at a time
Hope in Action...Ending poverty through systemic change
SVdP Resources
St Vincent de Paul
Systemic Change web portal
http://www.svdpusa.org/systemicchange/Home.aspx
Aha Resources
www.gettingaheadnetwork.com
[email protected]
Copyright 2012 by DeVol & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. www.gettingaheadnetwork.com