11/3/2008
Last night we had close to 100 9th graders attend our presentation. These kids were really on the ball and we never lacked for anyone to volunteer with an answer to our questions.
When we got to the part of our presentation where we went over the three questions and asked them what they learned about poverty that they hadn't know before, we received more responses, I believe, than we ever had before. A good group of kids.
Five of us presented. Me, Johnnie F, Mark, Jeanette, and Doug. Worked perfectly fine with the five of us. We talked for just over an hour and we al felt it went very well. It will be interesting to see the difference when we speak to 10 graders next Monday night.
St. George's parish seems to be a very active parish. Over 1300 families. I think we have to try and get them on our agenda to meet with the larger community. We will se how that plays out.
Looking forward to next week. So far we have expected to attend, Lou, Jeanette, Pam, Bob K, Doug (possible), Mark.
Lou Terzo
11/10/2008
Last night, 11/10, we met with close to 90 10th graders at St. George's. We had to overcome some technical difficulties to complete our presentation but overall it went quite well.
My computer, which I practiced with on Sunday to make sure it would "work" when we got there, seemed to be quite temperamental and locked me out. Lucking a teacher there let us use his computer and we got the presentation up and running, but we couldn't use the remote to change screens for some reason and he did not have his power cord so we ran out of battery power with about 10 minutes left in the presentation. We were right at the Two Feet of Social Justice. Oh well, sometimes you just have to improvise.
The kids were very good again last night. Seemed interested and when we addressed the Three Questions again they did respond very well. At least it proved they did listen. They were challenged as they had to meet the expectations set by the 9th graders from last week.
Claire Nichols has a great handle on both grades. She did not take any disrespectfulness from them and had total control. Nice to see.
Bob, Pam, Jeanette and I presented and aside from the computer problems all went very well. It looks like we may be able to get invited back to present to the general parish.
When we were done Claire Nicholls asked if they could donate to our cause. We mentioned how we really do not take donations and preferred they do an Action thing, like writer their legislators concerning one of the poverty issues like Healthcare. She asked for a form letter which I have requested through Doug.
Doug also suggested that in the future when we presented with an opportunity to accept a monetary donation that we suggest they make that contribution to such organizations like CCHD, CT Voices, End Hunger CT, Ct Association for Basic Needs, etc. I think that's a nice idea. We can discuss at out next meeting.
Peace,
Lou
PS: Next presentation is December 14 at St. John the Evangelist in Watertown. Please advise if you can attend. I will be sending out a more formal reminder and request.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Learn More...
Here are few links that fellow BTC of Poverty team members recently found. Read on to learn more about the poverty situation in which our country is...
US | February 20, 2008
Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility
By ERIK ECKHOLM
The poor could have a harder time moving up the income ladder as the higher education gap widens, a report said. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/20mobility.html?ex=1204174800&en=6f66cac2a0185c45&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008
Homeless men raise voices, lift themselves
By PETER BAILEY
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/424038.html
US | February 15, 2008
Attacks on the Homeless Rise, With Youths Mostly to Blame
By AMY GREEN
Nationwide, violence against the homeless is soaring, and overwhelmingly the attackers are teenagers and young adults.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15homeless.html?ex=1203742800&en=22fa6b13f0704b37&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Op-Ed Columnist
Poverty Is Poison
By PAUL KRUGMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18krugman.html?ex=1204088400&en=94fa25ba8f688210&ei=5070&emc=eta1
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18krugman.html?ex=1204088400&e
n=94fa25ba8f688210&ei=5070&emc=eta1
The New York Times
February 18, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist
Poverty Is Poison
By PAUL KRUGMAN
"Poverty in early childhood poisons the brain."
US | February 20, 2008
Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility
By ERIK ECKHOLM
The poor could have a harder time moving up the income ladder as the higher education gap widens, a report said. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/20mobility.html?ex=1204174800&en=6f66cac2a0185c45&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008
Homeless men raise voices, lift themselves
By PETER BAILEY
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/424038.html
US | February 15, 2008
Attacks on the Homeless Rise, With Youths Mostly to Blame
By AMY GREEN
Nationwide, violence against the homeless is soaring, and overwhelmingly the attackers are teenagers and young adults.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15homeless.html?ex=1203742800&en=22fa6b13f0704b37&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Poverty Is Poison
By PAUL KRUGMAN
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18krugman.html?ex=1204088400&e
n=94fa25ba8f688210&ei=5070&emc=eta1
The New York Times
February 18, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist
Poverty Is Poison
By PAUL KRUGMAN
"Poverty in early childhood poisons the brain."
Sunday, January 27, 2008
St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Presentation, 1/21/2008
Journal, Monday January 21, 2008 - BTC at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish - Confirmation Group Presentation, 7:00 - 8:15 pm
Last evening, John Ryan, Johnnie F., Charlie, Kelly, Pam, and Jeanette presented to 35 Confirmation young adults at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Rocky Hill. It was a very cold evening as we arrived at the parish, It was even colder when we left. Temperatures that I for sure would not be wanting to be sleeping in a cardboard box outside. We talked about that some with the kids and among ourselves last night. We are so very lucky we just had to endure the cold in the car and were going home to a warm house.
These kids were rewarded with candy when they responded correctly or appropriately to our questions. It seems the candy does "excite" them and encourage participation. Although Charlie wasn't too excited about us rewarding them with sweets.
The Three Questions we present upfront again went over quite well and Johnnie F really got them involved. We again got many different answers so we at least know some of them "got it" or were attentive enough to come up with the right answers.
We had intended to have them compose a letter to Governor Rell about the State EITC but ran out of time. We left the material with Ann Marie Shattuck to work with them at a later time.
St. Elizabeth Seton is a very social justice involved parish so there were many things we were able to point these kids towards as far as Taking Action. Johnnie F actually assigned one of the participants, Stephen or Michael or Michael Stephen, to do some research about how does a child die from the causes of poverty every 53 minutes. I would have to say that this particular number stood out among this group more than any other.
The presentation lasted for about 75 minutes which was a little too long. I guess we were a little more wordy last night. Although in my earlier discussions with Ann Marie she indicated that we could take up as much time as needed and she requested we end by 8:15, which we did. Regardless, we have to continue to focus differently when speaking to a youth group or confirmation class.
We also had a new member to our team, Mark Chmielecki, visit with us last night to get a first hand peek at what we do. He is going to offer his comments and suggestions from a completely new eyes point of view. Thanks Mark and welcome aboard.
All in all it was a satisfying night. I have requested feedback form Ann Marie. I will share with you when I receive it.
Peace,
Lou Terzo
Last evening, John Ryan, Johnnie F., Charlie, Kelly, Pam, and Jeanette presented to 35 Confirmation young adults at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Rocky Hill. It was a very cold evening as we arrived at the parish, It was even colder when we left. Temperatures that I for sure would not be wanting to be sleeping in a cardboard box outside. We talked about that some with the kids and among ourselves last night. We are so very lucky we just had to endure the cold in the car and were going home to a warm house.
These kids were rewarded with candy when they responded correctly or appropriately to our questions. It seems the candy does "excite" them and encourage participation. Although Charlie wasn't too excited about us rewarding them with sweets.
The Three Questions we present upfront again went over quite well and Johnnie F really got them involved. We again got many different answers so we at least know some of them "got it" or were attentive enough to come up with the right answers.
We had intended to have them compose a letter to Governor Rell about the State EITC but ran out of time. We left the material with Ann Marie Shattuck to work with them at a later time.
St. Elizabeth Seton is a very social justice involved parish so there were many things we were able to point these kids towards as far as Taking Action. Johnnie F actually assigned one of the participants, Stephen or Michael or Michael Stephen, to do some research about how does a child die from the causes of poverty every 53 minutes. I would have to say that this particular number stood out among this group more than any other.
The presentation lasted for about 75 minutes which was a little too long. I guess we were a little more wordy last night. Although in my earlier discussions with Ann Marie she indicated that we could take up as much time as needed and she requested we end by 8:15, which we did. Regardless, we have to continue to focus differently when speaking to a youth group or confirmation class.
We also had a new member to our team, Mark Chmielecki, visit with us last night to get a first hand peek at what we do. He is going to offer his comments and suggestions from a completely new eyes point of view. Thanks Mark and welcome aboard.
All in all it was a satisfying night. I have requested feedback form Ann Marie. I will share with you when I receive it.
Peace,
Lou Terzo
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