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Answering the Call of Pope Francis…SYSTEMIC CHANGE (SC) TRAINING RETREAT

Saturday, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018
Benedict Inn Conference Center, Beech Grove, IN

Complete the registration form below.

As a personal response to Pope Francis’ social justice challenge to help the poor, this training opportunity is sure to awaken our consciousness on the subject. In answer to the Indiana Catholic Bishops’ early-2016 pastoral letter on ending poverty in Indiana, the Indianapolis Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is hosting an “Ending Poverty Through Systemic Change” educational retreat experience for area Vincentians, Catholic Charities Indianapolis staff, Parish Council or Social Justice Commission members, as well as anyone interested in eliminating poverty in our communities. The program is particularly suited to individuals who are discerning their roles as a Facilitator or Mentor in our Changing Lives Forever program.

Attendees will participate in a powerful Poverty Simulation where they role-play a family in poverty attempting to access the most basic needed services. You will experience firsthand the very real daily challenges of the poor. This impactful program is based on the “Bridges Out of Poverty” series, authored by nationally renowned poverty experts Phil DeVol and Ruby Payne. Learn about recent and ongoing local efforts offering new hope to those in need. Helping families help themselves out of poverty is the key to real systemic change.

This insightful program begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning and concludes not later than 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Due to the amount of material presented and provided, an overnight stay is required. We are asking for a $100 per person contribution toward the program cost, which includes excellent materials for you, comfortable overnight accommodations (single or double rooms), and 5 meals. Scholarships are available for SVdP Indianapolis Diocesan Council members by contacting one of the SC Training Team members listed below.

At the conclusion of the program, you will walk away with a new awareness and understanding of poverty, its causes, and proven strategies for alleviating poverty in our communities and parish neighborhoods. The first step in eliminating poverty is to educate ourselves on the subject.

If you have wondered what you can do in response to the Pope’s call, this is an excellent step. We hope that you will plan on attending this eye-opening and life-changing event.

SC Training Retreat Team, Domoni Rouse (317-985-2149) and Pat Jerrell (317-457-1001)

Complete the registration form here:

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