... providing tools and resources to broaden knowledge and inspire change

Bridges out of Poverty

This training provides an introduction to the “hidden rules of class”, language and communication, the framework for understanding poverty and how community organizations can help to bridge the gap with low-income individuals. Learn the basic framework for understanding the culture of poverty and enable your  organization and individuals to become more effective in addressing poverty issues in the community.
Partners in Hope staff members are available to conduct Bridges Out of Poverty trainings for current and prospective volunteers and our partnering churches.The training is based on the book Bridges Out of Poverty, co-authored by Dr. Ruby Payne, Philip DeVol and Terie Dreussi Smith.  The training also highlights the various resources required to move out of poverty.  The content of the class is similar to the content of Getting Ahead, but it is geared toward middle and upper income class audience.
The content covered in both Getting Ahead and Bridges Out of Poverty provides those who participate with a common language, helping to facilitate successful relationships across economic lines.
Partners in Hope, Inc. staff and volunteers are authorized by AHA!Process to provide full day and two day trainings throughout Miami, Shelby, Darke, and Auglaize Counties. Please inquire with Carol Jackson, Executive Director if you are interested in providing this opportunity to your staff.

PIH Poverty Simulations


What is it? This simulation seeks to help middle and upper income individuals understand the realities of living in poverty. During the simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income families, from single parents trying to care for their children to senior citizens trying to maintain their self-sufficiency on Social Security. Each simulation takes place in a virtual town with the resources that are typically available to low income families. The task of each family is to go through the daily activities of life, i.e. paying bills, providing food and shelter, providing childcare, etc. while interacting with various community resources.

​How many people can participate? 30-130, depending on the space available

What are the requirements to host a poverty simulation? 
  • A large space
  • Be able to supply at least 12 tables and at least 100 chairs
  • Be willing to help recruit volunteers to help staff the event.
  • Ability to cover expenses of the event
A simulation can be scheduled for a specific organization or target audience. Pre-event staff meeting is required before the simulation for approval of space and supplies. Poverty simulations take approximately 2 ½-3 hours to conduct. This includes a debriefing at the end of the simulation.
For more information contact Sonia Holycross at (937) 335-0448.

Financial $ense

A faith based money management program that supports families as they create a plan for their finances. The program is run as a 6 week program, with additional “one on one” opportunities for support. Designed specifically for low-income adults, Financial $ense addresses the challenges the financially limited family. It provides a knowledgeable, confidential, reality based process for families to develop and work their individual spending plan, resulting in increased economic stability.
- Classes run one time per week for (1.5) hours for 6 consecutive weeks. 
- Call Sonia Holycross at 937-335-0448 to apply and register for the next session.  ​

Getting Ahead

Getting Ahead is both a workbook and an experience.  It’s based on Philip DeVol’s Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by-World: Building Your Resources for a Better Life.  Participants, called Investigators, work in groups to examine the impact of poverty on themselves and their communities and explore the world through the lens of economic class. Getting Ahead participants investigate how the hidden rules of class can be used to build financial, emotional, social and other resources. Understanding the hidden rules of the middle class and choosing to use them, can open doors to new relationships, new jobs and higher resources. People who use this workbook develop a sense of mental models to examine their own lives and create new future stories.
Partners in Hope provides Getting Ahead, a small group experience for low income families.

This curriculum is also our prerequisite to involvement in our Staying Ahead Partner Family Community. A small stipend is provided to participants out of respect for the "expert" collaborative process. Classes run one time per week for (2) hours for 10 consecutive weeks. 

Call Sonia Holycross at 937-335-0448 to apply and register for the next session.  ​
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Check out this video of a Getting Ahead Graduation in Dayton! https://youtu.be/G6LlNW64Mqs
Faith and Finance Program "First" Class of Graduates