Poverty Reduction Forum

Empowering and Building Stronger Communities in Halton

For the Halton Poverty Roundtable, developing and supporting the leadership of those who are experiencing injustice as a result of poverty is at the forefront of the way we work. Listening to those who have experienced poverty must be the first step in formulating a response. This is a key part of the Poverty Reduction Forum.

Keynote Speaker

Jenner Laidley, ISAC - Income Security Advocacy Centre

Research and Policy Analyst for the Income Security Advocacy Centre. A major focus of her work over the past two years has been in providing analysis and explanation of the content and implications of the Review Commission’s discussion papers. Recently, Jennefer has also been working to provide materials, information and advice to groups across the province who fought back against the elimination of the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit. She spends her off time writing and talking about Toronto’s waterfront, trying to complete a variety of knitting projects, and keeping in touch with family in British Columbia.

MC & Spoken Word Artist

Greg Frankson aka Ritalin

Greg Frankson a.k.a. Ritallin is a veteran spoken word organizer, promoter and performer, as well as an accomplished presenter, social activist and arts educator. He is the co-founder of Capital Slam, the Ottawa Youth Poetry Slam and YorkSlam, and is the director of Bill Brown's 1-2-3 Slam Toronto and YorkSlam in Richmond Hill. Ritallin was a member of the Ottawa Slam Team in 2004 and 2006, Kingston Pen in 2011 and Toronto Up From the Roots in 2012. The UFTR 2012 team won the national team slam championship, and Ritallin was also the championship runner-up at the 2012 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. Greg is also a past National Director of Spoken Word Canada (SpoCan). Ritallin has released three chapbooks, three recordings, appeared on several poetry compilation recordings, and published a poetry collection, Cerebral Stimulation, in 2006. He released Volumes I and II of his latest recording project, Poet Psychology, in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Since 2007, Greg has been an active voice in the global mental health movement as the Poet Laureate for the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership. Through his creative services consultancy Cytopoetics, Greg works with young people in schools and community settings as a presenter and performer, and with businesses and social services organizations as a facilitator, keynote speaker and creative services consultant.

Guest Speakers

Paul Bates, DeGroote School of Business

Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Community and Social Services

Peer Led Coalitions

Put Food in the Budget

Voices for Change

Women at the Centre

Stitching Our Own Social Safety Net

ODSP Action Coalition

Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits (CAWDB) in Hamilton

Forum Agenda

• Registration and Networking
• Welcome Address & Opening Remarks by Marc Hamel
• Key Note Address by Jennefer Laidley
• Panel Discussion with Peer Led Coalitions
• Break
• Breakout Sessions: Participants to be divided into working groups to brainstorm action.
• Lunch: Buffet lunch to be provided.
• Report back: Groups to present their main discussion points.
• Spoken Word performance by Greg Frankson
• A reflection by Paul Bates - McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business Executive Education
• Closing Remarks by Honourable Ted McMeekin
• Wrap-up by June Cockwell

Objectives

The focus of the day is on the development of an action plan on Social Assistance for the Halton Poverty Roundtable to lead in Halton, further enhancing poverty reduction strategies in the region.

The forum will be an event that helps the Halton community learn about the recent report from the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance, followed by a panel of members of peer groups who have been active in poverty eradication advocacy. We plan to provide a day that will convene community conversations about income security, bettering social assistance, and helping to eradicate poverty in Halton.

There is no cost to attendees for the day.

Lunch will be provided.

Limited seating is available so please RSVP by April 2nd, 2013 by requesting a ticket.

Please send this announcement on to others who may be interested in attending. Transportation assistance is also available. Please contact Anna Kiani anna@haltonpovertyroundtable.com for more information.

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