Poverty to Prosperity Summit designed to mix vision, practice

The event will pick up where last year's inaugural event left off, attempting to help area social service agencies and community leaders learn effective approaches to helping people break free of the bonds of poverty.

"We know communities are really struggling," said Melanie Corporon, one of MVCAA's coordinators of the project.

The summit will include sessions on economic development, small business development, children's issues and housing issues.

Although details of the recently approved federal stimulus package are still sketchy, presenters at the summit are expected to discuss what impact the program might have in mid-Missouri.

State and federal officials have been invited to help area community leaders better understand the stimulus package.

The approach MVCAA organizers take at the summit is to provide a combination of vision and best practices, so those who attend will have a bigger picture in mind and tools to effectively move in the direction of larger goals, Corporon said.

Several successful projects from nearby counties will be featured, including a Lafayette County children's mental health project and the Mississippi River Hills economic development group.

MVCAA Executive Director Pam LaFrenz said the model for the summit has gotten some attention statewide and is being borrowed by other social service agencies.

"We're very happy it grew out of a local initiative," she said.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net