Chasing the Dream forum focuses on poverty
Dr. Wade, Lynette Praster of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Scott LaMar (moderator), Barry Denk of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and Megan Shreve of South Central Community Action Programs discussed a wide range of topics about poverty, its causes, and opportunities for collaboration among nonprofit organizations.
A big part of WITF’s mission is to bring the community together. Often, that means scheduling and scheduling events to address issues that impact the people of Central Pennsylvania and the state as a whole.
WITF’s Chasing the Dream Poverty and Opportunity in America public forum on poverty June 22 was one such event.
The months-long Chasing the Dream project culminated in a forum at the WITF Public Media Center attended by more than 75 people. It also included a panel discussion and testimonials from two women who lived through poverty and now are working while earning bachelor’s degrees.
Forums like Chasing the Dream are designed to engage the community and in particular those who attend. That engagement takes the form of audience members asking questions and making comments. The event featured a passionate and vocal audience that spoke out about the causes of poverty and offered solutions as well.
Appearing on the panel were Dr. Roy Wade Jr. Dr. Wade, an instructor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania and a general pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cobbs Creek Primary Care. His research interests focus on the intersection between childhood poverty, adversity, and well-being; Barry Denk, Executive Director, Center for Rural PA; Lynette Praster, Deputy Director, Office of Energy Conservation and Weatherization, DCED; and Megan Shreve, Executive Director, South Central Community Action Program.
WITF’s Chasing the Dream project is made possible by grants from the J-P-B Foundation and Ford Foundation and is supported regionally by:
- Capital Area Intermediate Unit
- Community First Fund
- Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity & ReStore
- Tri County Community Action
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