First lady is coming to town

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Of the 569,412 people living in Wyoming, 63,398 of them live in poverty. That’s 11.1% of the population or one in every 9 people, according to WelfareInfo.org. While the poverty rate in Wyoming is “significantly lower” than the national average of 14.6%, the state’s first lady, Jennie Gordon, and the Wyoming Education Association have partnered to address the poverty issues in the state and will hold three town meetings in Newcastle, Upton and Osage. 
According to WelfareInfo.org, Weston County ranks 20th in the state for poverty population, with 14.4% of its residents living in poverty. Newcastle’s poverty rate is 14.2%, the city ranks 43, when compared with other Wyoming cities. 
Crook County currently has the lowest poverty rate at 5.1% while Albany County ranks last with a poverty average of 23%. 
In Wyoming, 15% of children younger than 6 live in poverty. The report also says that 15.4% of children enrolled in Wyoming schools live in poverty.  
Poverty guidelines, according to thebalance.com, set national poverty guidelines at $25,750 for a family of four. 
“The purpose and goal is to simply raise awareness about the issue of poverty. More pragmatically speaking, we hope to inform people about resources that are available to those in need,” Michael Alexander, Wyoming Education Association representative and Newcastle High School English teacher. 
A press release from the Wyoming Education Association reiterated the purpose of the town halls. 
“The town hall meetings are intended to connect people living in rural poverty with local resources to improve their lives,” the press release says. 
Alexander said that those interested in learning about these programs or who have ideas to help those living in poverty should attend the event. They will also have time to visit with First Lady Gordon. 
“Join First Lady Jennie Gordon and the Wyoming Education Association to learn more about resources for Wyoming residents living at or below the poverty line and lend your voice to the conversation about how we can make these resources more accessible and improve the lives of children and families in need across our state,” the promotional flyer says. 
Alexander said that a complementary meal will be provided during the events, followed by a one-hour program, including a town hall meeting, a panelist discussion and a keynote speech from Gordon. There is no charge associated with attending the town halls. 
“The First Lady will be the keynote speaker at each of the three events, speaking on her platform of eradicating childhood hunger in Wyoming,” the press release says. 
The First Lady said that she is “thrilled to join with organizations in these counties to share resources as well as my vision for bringing organizations together to address childhood hunger in Wyoming. I look forward to partnering with the Wyoming Education Association as we work together toward these goals.” 
Agency leaders from across Weston County will be present to provide the needed information about services, as well as participate in the panel discussion and answer questions posed by the public.
These events are being paid through grants completed by Wyoming Rises Against Poverty, an initiative of the Wyoming Education Association. 
“WEA has worked diligently in Weston County and other select areas across the state to inform communities about the deleterious effects of rural poverty on the health, wellbeing, education and security of people and families in rural Wyoming,,” the release says. 
“WEA has been doing Poverty Simulations for a few years to help our members better understand the experience of students and families in poverty. It’s an in-depth simulation of living for a month in poverty and deciding how to pay bills, keep a family fed, and keep a household running on limited funds,” WEA UniServ Director Judy Trohkimoinen said. “Many of us grew up not having to worry about a choice of whether to fill a prescription, or pay the utility bill, and this activity makes poverty personal. We hope that after experiencing the simulation, our members are more understanding of students and families living in poverty and can point them towards resources in their communities.” 
The events are being held at Newcastle High School and Upton Elementary School with the hopes of reinforcing the concept that “educators can serve as resources for students and families in poverty.” 
“Public schools can serve as the epicenter of guidance and assistance through effective, trauma-informed teaching practices and readily available knowledge of local resources that exist to assist community members in need,” WEA President Kathy Vetter said.
Anyone with questions about the upcoming events are encouraged to contact Wyoming Education Association Central/Northeast Uniserv Director Judy Trohkimoinen at Jtrohkimoinen@WYOEA.org or by calling (307) 256-4858. Attendees are encouraged to register at www.wyomingrisesagainstpoverty.org.