Less than Enough: Poverty in Greater Newburyport

LCommunity Meeting and Discussion with Pettengill House Staff

Wednesday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m.

Central Congregational Church

14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport

Continuing its Invisible Neighbors Series, Pennies hosts a community meeting on Wednesday, May 22, featuring local social workers who connect with individuals and families to overcome poverty and restore stability and safety. The session will shine a light on what it’s like to be poor in an affluent area like Greater Newburyport. For many citizens, the presence of poverty goes undetected. Our speakers—from Pettengill House
—describe their role in weaving a safety net, a plan, and a team to address the vulnerabilities facing individuals and families when they lack the resources for basic shelter, food, and safety.

Starting at 7:00 pm, the informational roundtable discussion at Central Congregational Church (14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport) will build a better understanding of the nature and extent of poverty in our midst. What are the challenges faced by the 3,000 neighbors who seek help from Pettengill House each year? How can we as individuals and as a community provide needed support?

This roundtable discussion will feature Pettengill social workers Laurie Wile and Lisa Prendergast, and Pettengill Assistant Director Tiffany Nigro, who see the precarious nature of poverty every day and are instrumental in opening the door to a safer, more stable lives.  

“Pettengill House is the only multi-purpose, professional, wrap-around social service agency in the area providing comprehensive case management and an array of support services and programs pertaining to children, families, single adults and seniors,” reports Deb Smith, Pettengill executive director.

Learn what life is like for people living on the edge.  Participants will discover small acts that can have a huge impact and will come away with the understanding that simple actions can help.

About Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, Inc.

Pennies’ mission is to ease the impact of poverty on the people of Greater Newburyport by endorsing models of assistance that promote dignity; supporting allied organizations both financially and collaboratively; increasing community awareness of poverty through citizen education; and inspiring and encouraging volunteerism.