What is this blog about?

I have been preparing to facilitate a course for people who are in poverty to help them recognize and develop their resources. The course is called Getting Ahead In a Just-Gettin'-By World or GA for short. It was developed by Phil DeVol by utilizing Ruby Payne, Ph.D's framework for understanding poverty. I anticipate this to be an enriching project for myself and the participants, so I wanted to document and share my experience.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Ninth Session

The main focus of this session was the stages of change.  One of the investigators commented that he gets frustrated that many community agencies don't motivate people to change, but give handouts instead.  This particular investigator would rather work for food/clothing/shelter than "hang out all day waiting to go to the soup kitchen."  Another investigator chimed in and said that society doesn't give people incentive to "get off their butts."

The discussion about stages of change led into talking about motivation, which evolved into a discussion about choices. 

It was apparent how cohesive the group has become when one of the investigators confronted another one about the excuses that he makes for not being able to improve his life.  It was constructive confrontation and the person receiving it was appreciative.  The group also encouraged one of the investigators who tends to beat himself up about his situation.  He shared with us that going to Mission 911 was the first time he had asked for help and it wasn't easy to do.

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