NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact MaryBeth Matzek at (920) 831-6580, ext. 26

Fox Cities Poverty Coalition created
Initiative brings together organizations, businesses, churches and individuals to fight poverty in the Fox Cities

Appleton, Wis. (Jan. 18, 2008) – Representatives from local businesses, non-profit organizations, faith-based communities and philanthropic groups have come together to form the Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition.

The poverty coalition will build on the momentum established by Project Promise, which was launched on Jan. 18, 2007. That four-month initiative raised awareness and inspired action around poverty in the Fox Cities and included a community book read, poverty simulations, diversity circles and financial education programs. An action forum held at the end of April led to the development of several programs including a family mentoring program and a committee to look at alternatives to pay day lenders.

“The mission of the poverty coalition is simple – to engage our community in the elimination of poverty,” said Debra Cronmiller, executive director of the Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley and a co-chair of the Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition steering committee. “We will work to eliminate poverty by building awareness of the causes and conditions of poverty in the Fox Cities, by educating the community about the impact and complexity of poverty and by facilitating collaborative action.”

Cronmiller and fellow co-chairs Jennifer Wanke of LEAVEN and Nicole Harrison of CAP Services announced the creation of the Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition during a seminar at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center that brought together, business leaders, elected officials, representatives from local organizations, churches and service providers who work with the poor in our community. Seminar attendees shared information about their programs as well as what changes they’ve witnessed in the past 12 months thanks to the awareness raised by Project Promise. Organizers plan to make the seminar an annual event.

“When we launched Project Promise a year ago, it was intended as a four-month focus on poverty. To think that this effort will evolve into a permanent focus on poverty in our community is incredible,” said Paula Morgen, CHAT co-facilitator and ThedaCare Community Affairs Manager.

Businesses, non-profit organizations and community members are all invited to join the poverty coalition, Cronmiller said. Membership for businesses and non-profits is $25. Individuals can join for free. For more information about joining the coalition, please visit www.projectpromisefoxcities.org and download a sign-up form.

“The Project Promise Poverty Coalition will be a cooperative effort of providers, supporters of social services, businesses, community members and all others who seek to advocate for the needs of people living in poverty in the Fox Cities,” said Cronmiller, adding that the coalition will not be a provider or funder of direct services to the poor.

By pulling together individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations, the coalition will keep the attention focused on poverty and find ways to fight it.

“Project Promise has not only created awareness about poverty in the Fox Cities, but also sparked action to address it,” said Jon Stellmacher, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “Thrivent Financial cares about helping the poor of the Fox Cities become economically self-sufficient. Through the Project Promise initiative, we are working together with other community organizations to provide the resources and guidance to assist our neighbors who are living in poverty.”