Listening Sessions
In order to obtain an “on the ground” perspective of current poverty issues from a people-centered and place-centered perspective, selected communities in varying geographical locations across the state are targeted for hosting community listening sessions. Our Listening Sessions have three purposes: 1) to listen to the experiences and stories of individuals who are experiencing or have experienced poverty and obtain their perspective on central issues and concerns in their lives; 2) to listen to other community members to obtain their perspective of the impact of generational and situational poverty in their community; and 3) to identify innovative ideas and solutions currently employed or that could be employed to help families to live out of poverty.
In 2010, over 250 community members participated in four Listening Sessions that were conducted in different regions of the state: Allendale, Johns Island, Greenwood and Bennettsville. Foundation staff and various Board of Trustee members actively facilitated discussions among community residents.
Read the 2010 Listening Session Summary.
In 2011, our strategy for listening sessions was two-fold. The first was to continue as we had started in 2010 and listen to the experiences and stories of individuals who are or have experienced poverty as well as other community perspectives on poverty and the second was to listen to different stakeholder perspectives focused on two Foundation-sponsored Initiatives. In 2011, we held listening sessions in Greenville and Orangeburg and held listening sessions with individuals served through the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families and women religious who participate in the Foundation’s Collaboration for Ministry Initiative.
Read the 2011 Listening Session Summary.
