12:30 – 1:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Understanding Poverty

Dr. Beegle explores the prevalence of poverty, myths and realities about poverty, and how we have come to our current views about poverty in America. By sharing her personal experiences, she reveals what living in poverty teaches and how it shapes people’s motivations, expectations, values, lives, and communication styles.

Working with Low-Income People

Income, educational opportunities, and life experiences shape our world views and communication styles. Legal professionals are often communicating from a middle-class world view and style which can be problematic when communicating across class lines. For legal professionals, knowing what questions to ask, what language to use when asking questions, or giving relevant examples requires knowledge of the lived experiences of those in poverty. Dr. Beegle shares advice for understanding, communicating, building better relationships, and working more effectively with people living in poverty.

– Dr. Donna M. Beegle
Donna M. Beegle Ed.D. is an experienced trainer, discussion leader and public speaker. She shares insights from growing up in "generational poverty," her doctoral studies on poverty and diverse cultures, and seventeen years of working nationally on breaking poverty barriers. She is currently the president of Communication Across Barriers, a consulting firm devoted to improving communication and relationships. She is also the founder and CEO of a new non-profit, PovertyBridge, which is dedicated to changing lives for people in poverty. Dr. Beegle is the author of "See Poverty, Be the Difference," a resource book for professionals who work with people in poverty. Her work on poverty is being featured in "Invisible Nation," a Frontline documentary.