Bridges Out of Poverty

Bridges out of Poverty is a framework for understanding poverty and the hidden rules of economic class by Dr. Ruby Payne. We use this framework to develop programs and strategies that improve relationships at the front-line level, improve outcomes at the organizational level and improve systems at the community level.

Reducing the social costs of poverty, strengthening the workforce and building a more prosperous and sustainable community are goals on which most communities can agree. Bridges out of Poverty helps employers, organizations, agencies and individuals understand, address and reduce poverty together in a comprehensive way.

• Bridges Out of Poverty tools and resources

Workshops

Strategies for Professionals and Communities 

This training assists community organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with gaining insight and strategies to improve services.

Bridges Individual Lens Workshop 

This workshop is a comprehensive approach to understanding poverty. Bridges Out of Poverty uses the lens of economic class and provides concrete tools and strategies for a community to understand, address and alleviate poverty.

Participants of this workshop will:

• Examine the resources by which you create stability
• Discover the causes of poverty
• Create and analyze a mental model for economic environments
• Discover the hidden rules of economic classes
• Analyze our language and story structures
• Discuss stability within family and support systems, and the importance of building social capital
• Learn new tools and strategies for improving relationships and outcomes

This training assists community organizations, social service agencies, employers and individuals gain insight and strategies to ultimately create stability for all. Training opportunities are limited based on resources.

To find out more about this workshop contact Social Services at socialservices@peterborough.ca or 705-748-8830.

Bridges Out of Poverty Working Group

Collaboration and sharing at all levels are important to understanding.

The Social Services Division strives to offer the best possible service. We have a dedicated group of staff motivated to implement the Bridges strategies at the agency level, across the division. 

• Working Group terms of reference

If you are interested in making connections with other Bridges Out of Poverty trained community partners, please contact Social Services at socialservices@peterborough.ca or 705-748-8830.