“
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Many people think of poverty as lacking financial resources to meet basic living requirements. Many think it is all about the lack of cash flow. However, children growing up in generational poverty, as opposed to short-term situational poverty such as what happens when a middle-class dad loses his job, is much broader and is much about a lack of resources overall. People experiencing situational poverty have hope things will get better. Those experiencing generational poverty can often feel a sense of hopelessness.
Examples would include lack of the following resources:
- Access to quality education due to public school disparities
- Transportation (yes, there is Nashville’s limited bus system, but you still have to have bus fare, live close to a bus route and rides are often 1 ½ hours compared to a 15-minute car ride- this writer knows a family where the children could not stay for after school activities as there was no bus service to get them home)
- Technology and internet access in the home for homework
- Network connections to help with obtaining jobs, internships
- Enough food to go around
- Access to any number of enriching experiences
These are but a few! Families are often on survival mode and trying to get through each day.
While PTM cannot take on and conquer all these resource deficits, the high school program committee made up of both staff and volunteers, recently began working to form “resource teams” to not only support students but staff and volunteer mentors as well.
These teams consist of individuals and organizations willing to fill specific needs of our high school students. For example, teams have been formed of those
willing to take students on college visits, help with college apps, essays, financial literacy and career exploration including trades and apprenticeships. The teams formed thus far center around PTM’s “Post-Secondary Comprehensive plan” or PSCP-another new initiative!
The largest graduating class in PTM history will be the Class of 2019 and we want to be ready and able to provide those resources needed for successful transition to postsecondary goals of all
our future graduates!
These initiatives, formation of Resource Teams and the Post-Secondary Comprehensive Plan, not only helps to give students a sense of hope and purpose for the future but also supports staff and mentors who may not have expertise or time needed to meet student needs in these and other areas.
The formation of more resource teams is planned! If you or your organization would be interested in serving on a team or you would like to find out more about serving in this way, please
contact Emily Gitter at emily@prestontaylorministries.org