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ABOUT

Bridges of Central Virginia ~BOCV/Poverty~ Group Picture of Members

Bridges Of Central Virginia ~ BOCV

Steering and Planning Committee Members 

 

Values 

  • Humility—a belief that you are not superior to others exhibited through actions of respect and care 

  • Integrity—having the courage to do the right thing by modeling honesty and truthfulness 

  • Respect—holding others in high regard 

  • Human dignity—a belief that all people have inherent inalienable natural and legal rights

 

Vision

                     Be A 

  • Catalyst for community change

  • The respected voice of poverty

  • Fiscally sustainable 

  • Have professional, highly-trained, well supported staff and volunteers

  • Critical mass of community members who understand and utilize Bridges Out of Poverty constructs in their personal and professional decision making to increase meaningful opportunities for individuals in poverty to become prosperous. 

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DeVol, P. E. (2006). Getting ahead in a justgettin’-by world: Building your resources for a better life (2nd ed.). Highlands, TX: aha! Process.

​A CALL TO ACTION 

Purpose Statement: "BOCV is a catalyst to break the cycle of poverty through the collective work of community partners resulting in sustainable progress for everyone." 

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AhA Process Mission: “We are committed to creating sustainable community solutions to poverty by collaboratively fostering human potential through trusting relationships, empowerment and education.”

 

Lynchburg, with roughly 76,500 residents, has a 24 percent poverty rate — 13 percent higher than the state average and 10 percent higher than the national mark, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A “full frontal” attack on Lynchburg’s poverty rate was needed since nearly a quarter of the city population lives in poor conditions.

 

The Bridges of Central Virginia "BOCV" has formed a highly effective regional coalition of members and leaders from: local government officials, regional city staff, businesses, nonprofit organizations, clergy, housing, health and wellness, law enforcement, education, and social services agencies to address the current issues of poverty and create a future story to significantly reduce economically suppression, research and key concepts to learn about “hidden rules” of poverty, the middle class and wealth.

 

Poverty rates:

Lynchburg: 22.6 percent

Amherst County: 11.7 percent

Appomattox County: 16 percent

Bedford County: 8.8 percent

Campbell County: 13.6 percent

Nelson County, 11.5 percent

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REDUCING THE SOCIAL COST OF POVERTY

At our one year anniversary of the BOVC Strategic Planning Meetings we celebrated the following accomplishments:

 

  • The creation of the BOCV website:  http://bridgesofcentralva.wixsite.com/bocv   (Business Subcommittee)

  • Developed print promotional materials.  (Business Subcommittee).

  • Partnering with the Region 2000 Workforce Development Board and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance to recruit local businesses to hire Getting Ahead graduates and provide guidance to help graduates become successful long term employees.  (Business Subcommittee)

  • Created and distributed to community congregations a PowerPoint presentation educating the faith community about poverty.  The presentation is available on the BOCV website and on Interfaith Outreach’s website.  (Faith Based Subcommittee)

  • Developed a mentoring program to match trained mentors with Getting Ahead participants.  The program is in a pilot stage at Interfaith Outreach.  (Faith Based Subcommittee)

  • Developed a warning citation program to be used by Lynchburg City Police Department as an alternative to issuing tickets/fines at the discretion of the police officer.  The program builds upon and supports community policing.  (Courts/Law Enforcement Subcommittee)

  • Developed a checklist approved by area judges to help citizens understand and navigate the steps required by the court to pay fines/reinstate driver’s licenses.  (Courts/Law Enforcement Subcommittee)

  • Recruited involvement from DMV, Department of Child Support Enforcement, Sheriff’s Department, and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office to work on policies that remove barriers.  (Courts/Law Enforcement Subcommittee)

  • Significantly increased awareness and training for Lynchburg City School employees about utilizing trauma-informed care as a way to teach and interact with students.  (Education Subcommittee)

  • Developed best practices to embed Bridges Out of Poverty constructs throughout the government, businesses, and community.  The best practices can be found on the BOCV website. (Government Subcommittee)

  • Received a $40,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Health to fund:

    • Bridges training for all Central Virginia Health Department employees,

    • the cost of 30 students to attend Getting Ahead classes (three classes of 10 each),

    • community training for 200 people, including a book for each participant. (Government Subcommittee)

  • BOCV is collaborating with the City of Lynchburg/City Manager’s office in the implementation of the Poverty Collective Impact plan. (Government Subcommittee)

  • Writing and initiating a community impact grant proposal with the Virginia Housing Development Authority to build more affordable and safe housing in the region. (Housing Subcommittee)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
BOCV- STRATEGIC               PLANNING COMMITTEE’S
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Reducing the social costs of poverty, strengthening the workforce, and building a more prosperous and sustainable community are goals on which most communities agree. aha! Process’s Bridges Out of Poverty community support program provides a family of concepts, workshops, and products to help employers, community organizations, social service agencies, and individuals address and reduce poverty in a comprehensive way.

 

Bridges brings people from all sectors and economic classes together to improve job retention rates, build resources, improve outcomes, and support those who are moving out of poverty.

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See where Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead sites are located on this map. To add your initiative or update your information on the map, please email Lynn Jackson at ljackson@ahaprocess.com.

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The Bridges Out of Poverty community support program helps communities:

  • Move individuals from poverty to self-sufficiency

  • Reduce social costs related to crime, poor health, and welfare

  • Strengthen educational attainment and job skills

  • Enhance economic development

  • Improve on-the-job productivity

  • Revitalize neighborhoods

  • Build sustainable communities where everyone can live well

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Explore our recommended programs designed around your community’s specific needs:

  • Building Community Sustainability: Learn how to make yours a community where everyone can live well, reducing social costs and leveraging human capital for greater stability and prosperity.

  • Getting Ahead: Learn from our experts how to facilitate a Getting Ahead program to support individuals emerging from poverty.

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http://www.ahaprocess.com/solutions/community/

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BRIDGES EMPLOYER PARTNERS
EMPLOYERS HIRING "GETTING AHEAD" GRADUATES
COMMITTED BUSINESS PARTNERS: 
STEERING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Abrams, Dameka

Anderson, Keith

Andrews, Stephanie

Bailey, Lisa

Barrera, Tina

Booth, Ray

Bowman, Ben

Briceland, Gail

Brown, Heather

Burks, Cathy 

Cawood, Lindsey

Clark, April

Connor, Susan

Cook, Keith

Crawford, Andy

Cumby, Glen

Davis, Januwaa

Delzingaro, C. 

Dixon, Traccy

Dunn, Steven

Edinger, Ellen

Farmer, Shawne

Ferguson, Desiree 

Ferguson, Micky 

Foster, Joan

Gail,Briceland

Gibson, Jerry

Graham, Ashley

Grossman, Misty

Harris, Lonice

Harrison, Jamesia

Henry, Kevin

Hoover, Kitty

Horne (Ed.s), Dana

Huff, Denny

Huntington, Ginny

Jamerson, Lesly

Johnson, Melissa 

Keith, John

Lester, Charlotte

Marshall-Williams, Youlanda

Martin, Joann

McCafferty, Susan

Norman, D 

Payne, Kimball

Penn, Ernest

Phelps, Joan

Polstra, Lynn

Pulley, Crystal 

Ramsey Jr., John B.

Reynolds, Tamara

Rice, Amy

Rinker, Jim

Rinker, Sylvia

Roberson, Traci

Robertson, Tabatha

Rosser, Tamara T 

Sales, Emily

Scott, Ann 

Shabestar, Kris

Showers, Lee 

Smith, Jeff

Smith, Robert

Svrcek, Bonnie

Swisher, Todd 

Timmons, J 

Tomlin, Chelsey

Tyree, Greg

VanDerwerker, Wyllys

Wagemaker, Patricia

Walker, Helen

Walton, Randal

Webster, Jim

Wesolowski, Laura

West, Kristi

Willson, Jettie

SUPPORTERS
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