Forum: Copper Shores Foundation’s Poverty Initiative: “Bridges Copper Country”
Bridges Copper Country is a community initiative that addresses challenges faced by individuals and families living in poverty and to help them build a path towards self-sufficiency and stability. It was developed by Dr. Ruby Payne, Philip DeVol, and Teri Dreussi-Smith. Copper Shores Foundation has hired Michael Steber to coordinate outreach and educational programs for under-resourced community members. Currently, 16-19% of Copper Country residents are living in poverty and 49% are living at the ALICE level (ALICE = Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). They may be just one financial crisis away from poverty. Bridges Copper Country is an economic development tool for individuals, institutions and communities designed to help people in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Counties. There are two key components of Bridges Copper Country: First to train and educate our community, businesses, schools, social services and encourage collaboration. The second is to educate individuals in poverty on how they can help themselves. We will learn about the successes and challenges of this new program, and the series of Getting Ahead classes offered.
Michael Steber is the Bridges coordinator addressing the needs of our under-resourced citizens, and educating the community through workshops and seminars about the challenges people in poverty face. Mike is the former principal at Washington Middle School, part of Calumet-Laurium- Keweenaw Schools.