WMU series to focus on fighting poverty

In September, Western Michigan University's College of Health and Human Services and the Academy of Lifelong Learning came together to offer "A Call To Action."

The spring program is "A Call to Action: Poverty Reduction in Kalamazoo County" and the public is invited to learn about the problems associated with poverty in the community and how they can help reduce the disproportionate number of residents who live at or below the poverty level.

The collaboration that features five seminar classes will culminate in March, when a nationally known speaker yet to be announced will present a related public lecture. That presentation will be offered as part of the Bill Burian University/Community Lecture Series organized by the College of Health and Human Services.

Topics and those leading each discussion by a panel of experts are:

• Jan. 28--Education, Dr. Betty Dennis, WMU associate dean of Extended University Programs.

• Feb. 4--Income security, Barbara Young, a past director of the Kalamazoo County Community Action Agency, vice president of the Kalamazoo County Poverty-Reduction Initiative and a consultant for WMU's new University-Community Empowerment Center.

• Feb. 11--Affordable housing, Dr. Ronald Crowell, a WMU professor emeritus of teaching, learning and educational studies.

• Feb. 18--Mental and physical health, Dr. Gillian Stoltman, a former director of the Division of Communicable Disease and Immunization at the Michigan Department of Community Health.

• Feb. 25--Legal issues and criminal justice, Teresa Bingman, interim director of the University-Community Empowerment Center.

The sessions will be presented from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 4010 of the College of Health and Human Services, located off Oakland Drive north of Howard Street. Registration is required, and free parking is available in lot 104.
The Academy of Lifelong Learning a member-run organization administered by WMU's Extended University Programs.

Those interested in attending "A Call to Action" may register through the Academy of Lifelong Learning, which is including this seminar in its spring schedule of courses.

To register or obtain a complete list of participating panel members, visit here or call 269-387-4200. Direct questions to Teresa Bingman, interim director of the University-Community Empowerment Center, at teresa.bingman@wmich.edu or 269-387-8881. 

Free parking will be available near the health and human services building in Parking Lot No. 104.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Jeanne Baron, Western Michigan University