Lakeshore Food Club to host poverty education workshop

Lakeshore Food Club to host poverty education workshop

LUDINGTON — The Lakeshore Food Club will host Access of West Michigan’s Poverty Education Workshop on May 4, 2023 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lakeshore Resource Network, 920 E. Tinkham Ave. 

The Access Poverty Education Workshop will inform participants about the intricate realities of life in poverty. The workshop is designed to provide insight into the barriers faced by low-income individuals through role-playing the lives of various family types experiencing poverty.

The Poverty Education program exists to overcome misconceptions about poverty and motivate people to become involved in activities that promote justice in our communities, as well as provide economic opportunity for our workshop staffers.

The workshop’s intention is to create economic development opportunities for those living in poverty by employing staffers who have firsthand experience of poverty, as well as providing education and advocacy opportunities for over 1,000 participants each year. Access has used the Poverty Education Workshop curriculum to engage audiences for over 20 years and has offered workshops throughout Michigan.

“I have wanted to bring this training to our staff and volunteers for a long time. I still remember the first poverty simulation training I attended.” said O’Nealya Gronstal, executive director of Lakeshore Food Club, “It was life and career-changing. So much so, that it still guides my perception and decision-making every day.” 

Approximately 40 participant spots are still open. Those involved in social justice and removing barriers including but not limited to corporate managers, community and government leaders, education professionals, and faith-based community leaders are invited to attend. To help offset the cost of this training, there is a suggested but non-mandatory $10 donation that will be collected on the day of the event. 

Anyone interested in attending can RSVP by April 28 by emailing ogronstal@lakeshorefoodclub.org.