The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission has begun an important grassroots initiative to pull Sullivan County from poverty to prosperity – And your participation is needed.
The “DIALOGUE2CHANGE” program isn’t a special interest group project, a political campaign or a business venture. This is the only county-wide community driven initiative that aims to include absolutely everyone.
As we all know – Sullivan County has been struggling with issues of poverty for a long time.
The goal of DIALOGUE2CHANGE – Moving from Poverty to Prosperity – Is to develop grassroots strategies to help Sullivan County residents move toward prosperity.
The DIALOGUE2CHANGE main goal is to bring a diversity of citizens together to listen respectfully; to explore the assets and challenges that exist in their communities; and to develop workable ways of addressing poverty.
DIALOGUE2CHANGE is an initiative of the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission with funding from the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management’s Small Grants Program and developed under the guidance of Everyday Democracy.
The Everyday Democracy foundation has been helping communities across the U.S. create change through dialogues for over 25 years.
The Goals are simple and can be achieved:
Each of the 9 legislative districts will have 8-12 community members, from diverse sections of their population, participate in the community dialogues
Each dialogue group will develop 1 to 2 action plans that members of the community will implement in support of the community’s efforts to ameliorate poverty. The focus and scope of the action plans will be based upon the vision and abilities available in the community.
The process of conducting community dialogues will increase the awareness of present programs that are available throughout the county and encourage communities to connect with these services.
This process will provide an environment where all community members can connect, share ideas and be heard, across differences of race, ethnicity, age, socio-economics, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political views.
Timeframe:
Organizing efforts through mid-April
Train Facilitators mid-April
Hold dialogues May through June
Action Planning meeting in July to review action plans begin implementation of agreed upon strategies.
The goal of the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission’s initiative “is to reach the people who aren’t listened to, because all of our voices need to be heard if this is going to work. It’s going to be real and it’s going to be powerful. In this initiative everyone is an ally, there are no barriers and there are no enemies.”
There is an ongoing search for facilitators and community leaders who can create safe environments that will allow people to share for a dialogue to emerge. This dialogue will be the foundation for a plan of action and a strategy that will take Sullivan County from poverty to prosperity.
Action on your part is essential.
The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission is reaching out to all Sullivan County residents to participate.
Please email dialogueforchange@gmail.com to share your voice and get involved.
Dialogues will take place during May and June.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.