June 4 and 5, Hot Springs area community leaders will come together for a Poverty Summit organized by Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic (CCMC), to raise awareness and to begin the process of developing
a system‐wide approach to create sustainable solutions for poverty and homelessness. The City of Hot Springs will open the two day summit with a Homelessness Round Table on June 4 at 9:30 am at the Hot Springs Junior Academy (HSJA) Auditorium, 701 Main Street. The free Round Table will provide focused discussions on area homelessness and at‐risk populations, including successful programs and best practices, existing efforts, and facilitate meaningful coordination among individuals and organizations that are striving to address these issues. After the Homelessness Round Table, there will be pre‐ordered, pre‐purchased box lunches available for $15 in the Hot Springs Junior Academy cafeteria.
At 1:45 pm on June 4, CCMC will present "Living On the Edge: Poverty Simulation" in the air conditioned Hot Springs Intermediate School (HSIS) Gymnasium, 617 Main Street, just next door to HSJA. The free simulation, sponsored by Entergy, Hot Springs School District, Adult and Teen Challenge of Arkansas, and conducted by University of Conway Arkansas: Outreach and Community Engagement, is intended to enlighten participants to the harsh realities of poverty and to talk about how communities can address the problem. The simulation is a unique, interactive experience that helps people begin to understand what life is like with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress. The simulation is free but registration is required by May 30. Volunteers are also needed.
June 5, CCMC will offer the "Bridges Out of Poverty" training, 8:30 am at Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness (OBHAW) Conference Center, 125 Wellness Way. This training empowers communities to move individuals from poverty to self‐sufficiency; reduce social costs related to crime, poor health, and welfare; strengthen educational attainment and job skills; enhance economic development; improve on‐the‐job productivity; revitalize neighborhoods; and build a sustainable community. Cost is $25 which includes the training, a light breakfast, and lunch. The "Bridges Out of Poverty" book may be purchased separately for an additional $25.
Registration is required by May 30 for the Poverty Simulation, Bridges Out of Poverty training and boxed lunch. To register online, go to http://bit.ly/povertysummit2019.
For questions about the city’s Homelessness Round Table, call the city's Community Block Development Grant Administrator, Michelle Sestilli, at 501‐276‐7934 or email msconsulting@outlook.com.
For questions about the Poverty Simulation and Bridges Out of Poverty training, contact Sallie Culbreth at 501‐318‐1153 x222 or email sculbreth@ccmchs.com.
Poverty Summit Schedule
June 4, 9:30 am – 11:30 am City of Hot Springs Homelessness Round Table, free – HSJA Auditorium, 701 Main St.
June 4, 11:30 am – 12:15 pm Pre‐Purchased Boxed Lunch, $15 – HSJA Cafeteria, 701 Main St.
June 4, 1:45 pm – 4:00 pm CCMC Life On the Edge: Poverty Simulation, free, sponsored by Entergy – HSIS Gym, 617 Main St.
June 5, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm CCMC Bridges Out of Poverty training, $25 – OBHAW, 125 Wellness Way