Continuing the
“Special Issues” Series on Poverty and Homelessness

Workshop #3:

EFFECTING CHANGE THROUGH ADVOCACY

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location
Safeco South Jackson Street Center
306 23rd Avenue South Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98144

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

This workshop will provide social service providers with tools and skills to advocate with their clients to create long-term solutions to poverty and homelessness.

Many social service providers struggle to help those they serve meet their needs in a system that never seems to have adequate resources. And for every person helped into safe housing, an education or training program, addiction treatment, etc., there are someone waiting in line, still needing help. Both users and providers of services may feel helpless in the face of overwhelming, systemic problems with complex solutions.

Participating in advocacy can empower both service providers and low-income individuals, and helps build skills and increase self-efficacy, as well as strengthen the client-provider relationship. Many social service providers want to incorporate systems advocacy into their work with clients, but are unclear how to do that in a sustainable and within the nonprofit structure.

 

By the end of this interactive workshop, the participant will feel more prepared, motivated and confident to effect social change, by utilizing the knowledge and practical lessons learned in this workshop, including:

• How advocacy for systems change can benefit both service providers and users of services;
  
  
• How to conduct voter registration and education efforts with low-income and homeless individuals;
  
  
• How to work with homeless and low-income individuals to identify systemic barriers and develop and advocate for solutions;
  
  
• Ways to incorporate advocacy into your work in a way that is sustainable both for busy staff and low-income people who are struggling to meet daily needs;
  
  
• Legal and ethical limitations on advocacy within a nonprofit setting;
  
  
• Resources for connecting with a larger advocacy group addressing the issues that impact those you serve.

TRAINERS:
Tara Connor, Ph.D.
Rachael Myers, MSW

_________________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHOP FEE
Coalition Member Organization:
$75 per participant [for 1-2 staff from member organization]
$65 per participant [for 3-5 staff from member organization]
$55 per participant [6 or more staff from member organization]

Non-Member Organization:
$100 per participant

Lunch will be on your own.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Continuing Education Units/Clock Hours
Participants can register for Highline Community College Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
The cost is $10.00 per course. CEU forms are available at the workshop.

Free Clock Hours available at the workshop.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Cancellation Policy:

The cancellation fee is $25. If you must cancel your registration and have already made payment, you may request a refund minus the $25 fee up to 3 working days prior to the event. After this date, no refunds will be issued and the workshop fee will be charged.

Alternatively, you can make substitutions for attendance.

Please note that "No Shows" will be charged the full workshop fee.

Please inform Anna McCain at 206/870-5908 or amccain@highline.edu if you need to cancel.

______________________________________________________________________________

Click here to go to Coalition Member Organizations list

Click here to go directly to the King County Non-Profit Staff Development Coalition Project home page.