Helping people leave poverty topic of conference Sept. 28

CASA Kane County is hosting a conference titled "Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities," from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Blvd. in Geneva.

This conference is open to the public, but is specifically intended for professionals who work with children and families who are living in poverty. Social workers, police officers and educators are encouraged to attend. Participants will earn six continuing education credits.

Jodi Pfarr from Aha! Process Inc. will be the guest speaker. The mission of Aha! Process is to positively impact the education and lives of individuals in poverty around the world.

Pfarr also works with Catholic Charities in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and is a certified critical debriefer for the St. Paul Police Department. She also has served as a transitional housing manager for the Salvation Army.

During the conference, participants will create a mental model of poverty, review recent research, and analyze poverty by looking at the hidden rules of the upper and middle classes. Specific strategies for improving outcomes for people living in poverty will be provided.

This conference is being sponsored by CASA Kane County, the Kane County AOK Network, the United Way of Elgin, and Provena Mercy Medical Center.

Registration costs $55 and includes all conference materials, a continental breakfast and lunch. Individuals may register online at www.casakanecounty.org, or call the CASA office at (630) 232-4484.