alabama possible from the alabama poverty project

The Birmingham News – News Briefs
8/14/96

Community leaders will search for new solutions to poverty at a conference Saturday at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School.

Replacing poverty myths with realistic ideas to help poor people will be the focus of the 10 a.m.-4:40 p.m. event, “Poor in Alabama,” sponsored by the 3-year-old Alabama Poverty Project.

“We’re trying to change the dialogue about poverty in Alabama, said Scott Douglas, a project board member and executive director of Greater Birmingham Ministries.

In discussing poverty, Scott said, people often forget to address solutions to the problem. Religious, community and nonprofit groups leaders will hear the stories of people living in poverty, he said of conference participants. They also will discuss successful programs to put the poor back on their feet.

“The significance of how it [poverty] affects people’s hopes, lives and dreams cannot be ignored,” he said.

Registration is $15 and begins at 9 a.m.