Representatives of the Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA) met with Penhold's mayor and council during a community priorities meeting to put their heads together on how to help less fortunate area residents.
Discussions touched on sharing resources among communities, Alberta's new social policy framework and the history of CAPRA.
“There's a lot of knowledge to be gained from our local community and our regional community,” said Rebekah McDermott, EveryOne's Home coordinator, one of the CAPRA representatives. “If we can collaborate on any level that's great.”
McDermott said Penhold officials were quite knowledgeable about issues involved in poverty reduction.
Mayor Dennis Cooper said poverty reaches deep into the heart of the individual and wants the community to be part of giving people who may not have all the advantages of others hope.
“There are lots of kids that go to school with no breakfast in the morning,” he said. “We have to make sure we have a system where we can supply hope and help.”
Cooper stressed just because Penhold isn't a city doesn't mean the town can't make a large impact.
“There are people in our community that may be a little less fortunate,” he said. “Even in our small little community we reach out and help people.”
CAPRA members invited the mayor and councillors to a full-day event at the Black Night Inn in Red Deer on March 18 which focused on poverty reduction strategies for the region.
