The Chadron State College Social Work senior class hosts a conference every year on an important topic and this year’s edition is this Wednesday starting at 8. .
Titled HOPE – Helping Overcome Poverty and Eliminations, the conference is free to the public. While overall registration isn’t needed, registration is required for those wishing to participate in the afternoon poverty simulator.
There are two featured speakers. Dr Anitra Warrior is an American Indian and a child psychologist. Her company, Morningstar Counseling, has 7 locations across Nebraska and has provided clinic services and families for the past 15 years.
Morningstar partners with school districts, colleges, tribes, and organizations to support the healthy development and mental well-being of children and families.
The second featured speaker is Jeff Mugongo, a CSC graduate from Rwanda, He is founder of JTS Fitness, a program that helps children and youth develope athletic techniques and training to excel in sports
Wednesday’s conference schedule begins at 8:20 with Warrior, followed at 9:30 by a 3-member panel on local agencies and services supporting those in poverty.
Panel members are Jennifer Schaer, Projective Strive/TRIO director at CSC, Northwest Community Action Partnership Director of Volunteer Services Rachel Johnson, and Chadron Police Officer Derek Bauer, the Chadron School District’s School Resource Officer
Mugongo, who lives in Arizona, will speak at 11:00 about growing up in Africa. He shared his story in poetry published in The New Social Worker in March 2018.
The 2-hour interactive poverty simulator starts at 1:30. Participants will portray families facing poverty and roleplay a month of trying to maintain basic needs.
The conference ends with a debriefing session for the simulator participants about their experiences and what they learned.
Conference organizers will also challenge participants to share the experience with family, friends, and contacts in the community.