25-02-2025
‘Getting Ahead' program starts new cohort to beat poverty in the community
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Bridges Cooperative Ministry, a ministry group of Franklin Street Church in downtown Johnstown, has started a new cohort of the 'Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World' program.
Each cohort meets for 16 weeks as a small group in a safe and supportive environment where they can express their ideas freely and learn from one another.
'We've had 159 graduates. We started in 2015,' Carolyn Varchol, Program Director of Bridges to Success said.
The program operates under Bridges to Success, which also works to move the community away from poverty. Varchol says everyone's journey out of poverty is different, which is why the classes are modeled after people who have experienced it.
'It's designed by folks who have been struggling to get by, and some of the folks have actually designed some of the modules. And some of the folks who come to this class, a lot of them are recruited by other folks who've taken the class,' Varchol said.
In every new cohort, a recent graduate works as a facilitator who's received the same training and understands where they've been.
'I do see myself in, in some of the individuals that I'm helping. It helps you to understand not only your position in poverty, but it helps you to understand how you can not only problem-solve some of the things you're going through, but it helps you to understand what you can do about that,' Briana Mack, a Facilitator for the Getting Ahead program said.
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Participants develop their future goals and learn how to use their voices in the community to advocate for themselves. Bridges to Success said the program extends beyond graduation by providing long-term stability, and resource-building strategies.
'Anyone who's struggling to get by if, if they are tired of struggling if they want to find their own way out, this is the opportunity for they actually sit down and think about what their future, what they would like their future to look like,' Varchol said.
This Spring cohort has three more months until graduation. One of the students already has plans after graduation.
'I just graduated from JARI, you know, and I just want to keep myself active and doing stuff to motivate myself in my life at the age of 65. You know, I just graduated from JARI, and I'll be going to Penn Highlands Community College in May. So I just want to do something for me till I can be proud of myself,' Bernice Sanders, a participant in the program said.
There have been 26 cohorts 'Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World' program.
The next cohort of the Getting Ahead program will start at the end of August. Applications are accepted year-round. Anyone trying to overcome poverty's impact on their life is eligible to apply.
To apply, you can walk into the church and ask for an application or call Bridges Cooperative Ministry at (814) 539-2633.
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