The Journey Out Of Poverty

Poverty due to illness, job loss or other changing circumstances is often temporary. Generational poverty - two or more generations living in poverty - is by definition long term and encompasses a wide set of all-too-often ignored or discounted issues. People born to poverty face physical, emotional and sociological challenges to literacy, education and employment. In addition, childhood life-lessons differ greatly from those of the prevailing middle-class and often lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities in professional relationships later in life. On June 12, City Club welcomes Donna Beegle who will discuss what it means to grow up poor, the challenges to joining America's middle class, and how to help move people out of poverty.

A child of generational poverty herself, Donna Beegle left school for marriage at 15. By 25, she found herself divorced, homeless and raising two children. After earning her GED, she continued her studies and ultimately earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Portland State University. She is currently president of Communication Across Barriers, which works to improve communication and relationships across class, race, gender, and generational barriers.

Purchase tickets at www.pdxcityclub.org or call 503-228-7231 x110.

Where: The Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Ave., Portland OR 97205

When: Doors open at 11:30 AM, Program begins at 12:15 PM and concludes at 1:15 PM

Transportation and parking: The Governor Hotel is accessible by bus, Portland Streetcar and MAX light rail. A SmartPark garage is located one block away from the Governor Hotel at 730 S.W. 10th Ave.

Cost: Luncheon tickets are $16 for City Club members and up to two guests, $20 for nonmembers. Limited coffee/tea table tickets are $5 and are available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. General seating is free for members and $5 for nonmembers. A limited number of $5 coffee/tea tickets are available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reservations: Reservations required for lunches only; reservations close at 2 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the event. Reservations for lunch are strongly encouraged. To reserve a lunch via telephone, individuals (members and non-members) should call our voice mail reservation line, 503-228-7231, ext. 110. A limited number of lunch tickets are generally available at the door. Luncheon tickets reserved after the 2:00 PM Wednesday deadline or purchased at the door will be subject to an additional $4 charge. General seating and coffee/tea tickets will be available at the door.

Sponsors: Friday Forums this quarter are sponsored by: NW Natural, Portland General Electric and Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt.