Faith Based Poverty Immersion Institute - Virtual Training 

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly - Micah 6:8

This intensive two-day Poverty Immersion Institute provides a grounded understanding of poverty and what we – as people of faith – can do to assist people more successfully in moving out – and staying out – of poverty. This institute is designed for members of the faith-based community—who acknowledge God’s biblical mandate to address the needs of the poor. Jesus was “anointed to bring good news to the poor” and brought healing and hope to the voiceless, powerless, and those trapped in systemic injustices. We are called to do the same. This training will provide us a holistic approach in which to better advocate for and empower the neighbors in our community who are disenfranchised, marginalized, or live in poverty.

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About Our Speakers: Dr. Donna M. Beegle and Elia Moreno

Donna Beegle grew up in generational poverty and left school at 15 to get married. At 25, she found herself divorced with two children, little education, and few marketable job skills. At age 26, she earned her GED at Mt. Hood Community College. She went on to study poverty, communication, and education and--within 10 short years--received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Beegle combines her lived experiences of poverty with 30 years of research and work in all 50 states, to create inclusive, responsive environments that promote lifelong success.

Elia Moreno is the founder of Living Intentionally Ministries which provides Christian Community Development in her community. Her organization creates space for empowering, equipping, and educating adult GED Scholars—working diligently to remove barriers that stand in the way of completing a GED, ESL certification, military, industry certification, 2 or 4 year degree or any other form of education that will build capacity within a family unit. Elia also serves as the Executive Director of Texas Christian Community Development Board and is the National Program Director for Dr. Beegle's organization, Communication Across Barriers. Elia is a master at assisting organizations and individuals who seek to implement fresh ways to connect with those living in poverty.

What Others Say about the Institutes:

“Dr. Donna Beegle’s poverty work and Poverty Coach Certification are the foundation of our new approach to serving students. These trainings have completely changed our understanding of who our students are and what they need from us. The Poverty and Coaching Institutes will be the best professional development investment in your employees and organization you could possibly experience. The interactive experience will change your hearts, challenge your minds, and improve your impact­both personally and organizationally.”

~ Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, President, Amarillo College

"I’m right now at work looking back through some of the information and slowly beginning to process what I've learned. When I first heard Dr Beegle--about 3 years ago at Kansas State University, she did a poverty training with our program. I was changed forever! I desperately wanted to learn more about how to genuinely make a difference in the lives of those folks in our community living in poverty. Unfortunately, when I asked to attend the Poverty Institute, there weren’t funds available. But my supervisor allowed me the time off and I paid for everything myself--because I knew it was that important. And it was worth every penny and then some!"

~ Attendee, first virtual Poverty Immersion Institute, July 2020

"In some webinars, a person can kind of multi-task and pay only half attention, and still get most of it. This was not like that! Highly interactive, LOADED with information. It caught and kept my full attention and kept me thinking and taking notes the whole time. High value here."

~ Attendee, first virtual Poverty Immersion Institute, July 2020