By Paula Morgen
Project Promise Co-Chair

We’re less than two months into Project Promise and here’s an update on everything the community has helped make happen:
2,096 people have checked out the book “Nickel & Dimed” from local libraries. More than 30 organizations have requested the “Nickel & Dimed” discussion guides to facilitate dialogue at their own organizations. Local book stores have sold more than 250 copies of “Nickel & Dimed.” 7 Diversity Circle groups run by the Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center are currently launching with more than 60 participants meeting every week for 5 weeks to develop action plans around poverty.
Three Poverty Simulations have taken place so far in our community with 150 individuals having had the opportunity to role play a family member in poverty. Three area churches are organizing simulations and three area high schools are offering the experience for their staff or students. UW Oshkosh is planning to organize a fall simulation.
Eleven area businesses and organizations have contacted FISC to provide Lunch & Learns on money management for their employees/clients.
Twenty-three people have joined Thrivent’s Financial Fitness Club that helps people develop strategies for saving. Three Financial Fitness Club meetings are planned.
Close to 20 area business leaders are forming a task force to address Payday Lending practices in our community and state. Their first meeting is this Friday.
A Family Mentoring model for families in poverty received approval and 50% of pilot-stage funding from CHAT (Community Health Action Team led by ThedaCare). Funding from United Way will be requested this month.
Interfaith clergy group Common Ground is exploring poverty education within the faith communities.
Employer Panel Discussion on Poverty is being held at 6:00 p.m. March 29 (Immediately preceding “Nickel & Dimed” Book Read) at Appleton Public Library. Wal-Mart, Goodwill Industries, and Cost Cutters will help make up the panel.
One month. Thousands of community members thinking, talking, planning together. We couldn’t ask for anything more at this point!
Thank you!