Is there a connection between education and poverty in Florida? During our visit to Pensacola last week, I was given the opportunity to attend a dinner event called Bridges to Circles.  The event is hosted by Catholic Charities of Escambia County.  When I walked in the room, I saw a socially diverse gathering of people from Escambia County.   Bridges to Circles matches people living in poverty who have a strong desire to improve their lives, with allies who provide emotional support and assist with complex issues.  By the end of the night, I was embarrassed at the level of how my modest middle class life has insulated me from the systemic injustice of poverty in Florida.

As I entered the large dining area, I was welcomed and greeted by Janet Westlake from Catholic Charities, and introduced to Jean Norman, a Bridges to Circles Ally.  I noticed a long dinner table stretched across one side of the dining hall.  The table was filled with salads, pasta, chicken, and various desserts.  Behind the table were servers who I would later learn were from the local Baptist church.

Growing up in south Texas, I was taught that Catholics and Baptists don’t mix.  Within minutes that statement was proven wrong and the layers of ignorance began to be stripped away.

As we passed through the dinner line, Jean introduced me to Joan, a Circles Leader, who explained that in order to become a leader one must go through a 15-week training course.  The course was designed to educate, train and strengthen the individual’s character.  Sitting down for dinner, Joan shared how she learned through the program to make better choices.  One example was about pay day loans and the snowball effect they have of driving someone deeper into debt.  Another example was about REX Rental Center and how places like REX target the low income individuals who don’t have credit but want to furnish their homes with the latest technology or appliances.  Joan explained how the rental fee structure continues the downward debt spiral.

FACT: A staggering 42,935 people currently living in Escambia County live below the national poverty average (15.8% of total population) including 16,918 children. (**See additional FACTS below)

As Joan told her story, I couldn’t help but to think of my own family story.  The conviction of how careless I am when it comes to spending.  The difference between Joan and I is that I have good credit.  Joan’s story exposed my false sense of security and lack of discipline in making good choices with money.

After dinner everyone gathered around a large circle and shared their good and better stories from the week.  This time of sharing is meant to be a time of honest and positive affirmation on the events of the previous week.  This was a powerful moment for me.  As I listened to each person share how thankful they were for the little things in life, I realized how much I take for granted in my own life.

Following the large circle sharing time, we broke up in to smaller circles to discuss big view issues in Escambia County.   These small circles examine the barriers that hold people in poverty and advocate for systematic change in the community. I asked if I could join the education small circle.  I was welcomed into the group.  In previous weeks, they had begun discussing the need to expand the GED program to those in the poorest sections of Pensacola.   Joan also joined the group and she was very excited to add to the conversation.  She knew firsthand the barriers to someone of little means being able to afford the GED test.

The social dynamics of this small circle was so diverse.  There was a college professor, an attorney, two social workers, Joan, myself, a retired teacher, a church member, and a city parks and recreation employee.  The professor seemed to facilitate the conversation and had provided an outline of their last meeting.  The notes showed who had made contact with city and county representatives in regards to the permits or policies that might affect or prevent the group for providing a GED test location.

The group had tackled issues such as locations already providing GED training.  The question was, why aren’t people taking the test? They had identified all of the barriers such as lack of transportation, lack of money, lack of childcare, etc.  They were working on a map that identified the GED testing locations that provided financial assistance, or childcare, evening or day classes.  Part of their plan was to educate the community about GED resources, but they were also looking at partnering with the local school board to host a GED class in one of the apartments in the low income hosting units.

Once again I realized how little I have given thought to those who may not have the same opportunities I have in life.  These committed citizens have donated more than money to a cause; they have given their time, thoughts, and personal resources.  What have I done to help? Not much.

I realized at that time that the late Governor Lawton Chiles was right when he said, “Government don’t work, people work.” At this small table, I had witnessed the truth in that statement.  Joan and this group of concerned citizens have taken it upon themselves to do the work of finding ways to meet the public’s need for education.

**Additional FACTS from Escambia County

DID YOU KNOW:

• Births in mothers age 15-17 per 1,000- Escambia County, 25.5 – Florida, 11.1*
• Repeat births to teens, per 1,000 Escambia County, 10 – Florida, 4*
• Child mortality, ages 1-14, per 100,000 Escambia County, 40 – Florida, 22*
• Elderly abuse, per 100,000 Escambia County, 611 – Florida, 350*
• Domestic Violence Cases, per 100,000 Escambia County, 730 – Florida, 684*
• Juvenile Delinquency, per 100,000 Escambia County, 7,308 – Florida, 5,475*
• Depressive Disorders, per 10,000 Escambia County, 12 – Florida, 4*
• Psychoses, per 10,000 Escambia County, 68 – Florida, 56*