First Class of 'Getting Ahead' Set to Graduate

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By: News Release
Posted: Sunday, February 05, 2012

Last year, First PLACE’s Impact (area high school students participating in the First PLACE! character initiative) and College of the Ozarks Students in Free Enterprise (COSIFE) began selling eco-friendly VAPUR® water bottles to raise money for area homeless individuals interested in breaking the poverty cycle.

Since then, the groups collectively sold hundreds of bottles and the proceeds have been accruing in a fund for individuals who successfully complete the “Getting Ahead” course as money for a deposit or rent on housing. Christian Associates of Table Rock Lake served as the location for the pilot program, and Michelle Newton taught the “Getting Ahead” classes.

Five individuals from the tri-lakes area have now completed the curriculum and will receive their certificates for finishing the “Getting Ahead” program on February 16 at a private ceremony. Additionally, the money that was set aside for them upon their completion of the program will now be available as a deposit toward housing.

“Poverty is more than just being financially poor,” says Newton. “Poverty is about being stuck in the tyranny of the moment. To successfully move from poverty, an individual must evaluate where he or she is and how he or she arrived there.”

The “Getting Ahead” program, based on Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by-World, provides a way to examine the impact that poverty has on individuals, families and their communities.

“Evaluate, choose behaviors, make plans and climb out—this is what has been done [by program participants].”

“COSIFE loves being able to help the ‘Getting Ahead’ program through the Vapor Effect project, which enables us to help empower people in need to reach past their living conditions and obtain a much higher standard of living,” says Michael Schoonover, COSIFE president.

This class of five to graduate is the first of many to come. COSIFE and IMPACT will continue to raise money for this cause by selling VAPUR® bottles. If you would like more information on purchasing a VAPUR® bottle, please contact COSIFE at (417) 690-2291. If you would like more information on “Getting Ahead” contact Christian Associates at (417)739-3200.

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