Social Work Professor Philip Hong developed a Discussion Guide to accompany the WTTW Program FIRSTHAND: Living in Poverty, presented virtually on January 18, 2021 and now available as a web resource.  A media-rich resource, FIRSTHAND: Living in Poverty includes powerful stories told by five Chicagoans experiencing intergenerational poverty who will help viewers better understand the challenges that can make it difficult to escape the cycle of poverty. In addition, talks by five experts that provide context around the topic of poverty in Chicago; articles and podcasts add additional background and content.

Hong’s Discussion Guide provides questions and resources to help viewers and community facilitators connect with the series through a personalized reflective learning process. Designed to support community members and organizations, educators, faith community leaders, and policymakers, it provides tools to unpack the complexities of poverty and spark dialogue that can be used for everything from creating healing conversations to strategic community action plans. The FIRSTHAND: Living in Poverty collection and Discussion Guide are useful resources for social workers to use in a variety of practice settings.

FIRSTHAND: Living in Poverty is available at wttw.com/firsthand and is part of the award-winning FIRSTHAND multiplatform, multi-year initiative focusing on the firsthand perspectives of people facing critical issues in Chica

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