The 2014 Disrupting the Poverty Cycle Conference will take place Thursday, April 10 at UMass Boston, featuring Molly Baldwin, Founder and CEO of the Chelsea-based non-profit Roca.
Baldwin leads an organization dedicated to moving high-risk young people out of violence and poverty. Recently, Roca has attracted considerable attention through its innovative collaboration with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which aims to reduce incarceration rates and boost employment opportunities for justice system-involved young men across the state. Additionally, the organization annually assists approximately 200 high-risk young mothers, supporting them in abandoning destructive patterns and achieving economic and social stability. At the conference, Baldwin will concentrate her remarks on Roca’s achievements in serving these young women.
This year’s conference agenda seeks “fblikebutton_button” to provide the opportunity for pioneering stakeholders across diverse sectors to share practical emerging approaches to engage low-income families in a journey to economic self-sufficiency. Experts in program delivery, applied research, public policy, philanthropy, and program participants are invited to this gathering with the purpose of generating cross-sector dialogue among those with a vested interest in seeing low-income families succeed. “fblikebutton_button”
The event will include keynote speaker Dr. Harry Holzer of Georgetown University and panelists representing organizations including MDRC, Pew Charitable Trusts, CFED, and Jobs for the Future. Baldwin joins these prominent leaders as a fellow participant.
Having dedicated nearly 30 years to combating poverty among teenage and young adult mothers, Baldwin views this gathering as a significant opportunity. She noted, “fblikebutton_button” To be counted among such an esteemed, dedicated group of leaders is a real privilege – but more importantly the conference is creating a much-needed forum to discuss deeply critical issues that have yet to be resolved in this society. “fblikebutton_button”
Baldwin further emphasized, “fblikebutton_button” These days, it’s getting harder and harder for working class and low-income single mothers to make ends meet – particularly with the group of high-risk young mothers that Roca serves. We need to speak openly and honestly about the issues affecting these young women, their children, and explore new approaches for helping them get out of the poverty cycle. “fblikebutton_button”
Conference organizers have established three key objectives:
• To hold a vital, engaging forum on U.S. poverty and economic mobility rooted in contemporary economic conditions and policy debates;
• To foster cross-pollination between academics, program leaders, public officials, and low-income individuals;
• To leave every attendee of the conference with at least two new ideas that can reshape/improve their work.
Registration is available through the Crittenton Women’s Union website at https://liveworkthrive.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=380. The conference runs from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at the UMASS Boston Campus Center, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston.