Bridges Out of Poverty Workbook

If you didn’t grow up in poverty, you may be unaware of the “hidden rules” that govern many aspects of life for the poor. People in poverty are often in survival mode, where the future holds no promise, and support systems taken for granted in middle class and wealth are nonexistent. If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges—and strengths—will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success. Bridges Out of Poverty is a unique and powerful tool designed specifically for social, health, and legal services professionals. Based in part on Dr. Ruby Payne’s myth shattering A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Bridges reaches out to the millions of service providers and businesses whose daily work connects them with the lives of people in poverty. In a highly readable format you’ll find case studies, detailed analysis, helpful charts and exercises, and specific solutions you and your organization can implement right now.

Terie Dreussi-Smith, M.A. Ed. and OCPS II lives in Marion, Ohio, where she has served as Supervisor of Prevention Services at the Morrow County Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. for more than nine years. She is a former public school teacher, and currently serves as adjunct faculty for several colleges in Ohio. She provides training, grant writing, and evaluation consultation for agencies, community coalitions and schools. Terie is a certified trainer in several nationally renowned school/community programs. Philip DeVol of Marengo, Ohio, has been consulting on poverty issues since 1997. He works with organizations and communities to redesign programs which ensure sustainability and better serve people in poverty. Philip is also the author of Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World. Philip served as director of a substance abuse treatment facility for nearly 20 years. Ruby K. Payne, author, speaker, publisher, business owner and career educator, is an expert on the mindsets of economic classes and on crossing socioeconomic lines in education, work, and for social change. Dr. Payne’s work stems from more than 30 years of first-hand experience in the public schools, as high school department head, principal, and central office administrator of staff development. She became known for helping students from all economic backgrounds to achieve academic success. She received her B.A. from Goshen (IN) College, earned a master’s degree in English Literature from Western Michigan University, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy from Loyola University in Illinois. As founder and president of aha! Process, Inc., she has published more than three dozen books. Dr. Payne presents her work throughout the United States,Canada, and Australia.