Fighting poverty in Lane County, one person at a time
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Bonnie Clark has her hands full, raising a family and starting a new business at home. Her husband's family business got hammered in the recession, and times are tight.
Clark registered for United Way's "Opportunity Conference" held in May. It was a one day cram course to learn how to network with people not in poverty and tap community resources.
"That's what I needed to hear, so it was like a kick in the butt, you know. Let's get in gear, let's get to work. You have a family to take care of," said Clark.
Bonnie Clark registered for United Way's "Opportunity Conference" held in May. It was a one day cram course to learn how to network with people not in poverty and tap community resources.
Education, income and health are the main building blocks to a decent life - and beyond the reach of many families in Lane County. The United Way of Lane County held the conference and subsequent efforts in an attempt to break that cycle.
Residents who took part in the conference hooked up with mentors called "navigators." The 110 people in the program, like Clark, are called "captains" - as in the captains of their own ship.
"Sometimes you just kind of want to sit there and almost let it happen," Clark said, "but with Priscilla, she's definitely kept me accountable."
United Way of Lane County Executive Director Priscilla Gould is Bonnie's volunteer navigator
"I'm pretty much a cheerleader," Gould said. "I'm appreciating the hard work she's putting in, the determination she's putting in."
Clark said she meets with Gould every two weeks to make sure she stays focused.
Her new business is a home business selling cosmetics and baby care supplies, what Clark calls network marketing.
"A year down the road I have high hopes, definitely," she said. "I would hope to be starting school."
