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Nelson at its Best summit to link over 300 voices against poverty

On Thursday, May 21, Nelson at its Best invites Nelson residents to help set priorities for a strategy to reduce poverty at a open house.
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Two LVR students

After ten weeks of conversation with over 300 participants, Nelson at its Best will bring community voices together at the Summit for a Healthy and Poverty-Free Nelson.

On Thursday, May 21, Nelson at its Best invites all residents of Nelson to hear what has been said in the conversations, and help set priorities for a strategy to reduce poverty in our city.

Mayor Deb Kozak will open the action-oriented, interactive meeting, stressing the city’s support for the effort. MLA Michelle Mungall will speak about change at the provincial level, in particular, her success in ending the child support claw-back from low-income families.

Residents, from those living on the streets of Nelson to business leaders, have provided a diverse and creative set of strategies to alleviate key issues such as homelessness, hunger and the lack of good employment options in the city. From community gardens to floating houses, Nelsonites stepped up with ideas to make their city the best it could be. The summit is an opportunity to gather and build on those views, set priorities from among the many issues raised, and develop Nelson’s first poverty reduction strategy.

A community conversation hosted by Kootenay Career Development Services. Submitted photo.

According to one participant, “People love living in Nelson! We’re an imaginative, resilient group of people who very much recognize the value of improving life for everyone living here.” The strategy will pull people’s ideas together into a creative, but doable strategy to be implemented over the next few years.

Initiatives currently underway will be shared, and community service organizations will feature the services they provide. Thanks to support from Black Press and Kootenay Co-op, guests at the summit will be served a delicious dinner. Free child care and transportation will also be provided to those who require it.

Help make Nelson the best place it can be. Come to the Summit for a Healthy and Poverty-Free Nelson!

Summit for a Healthy and Poverty-Free Nelson will be at the Central school gym. The open house is 3 to 5 p.m.; Free dinner and interactive activities from 5 to 6 p.m.; Discussion 6 to 9 p.m.

More details at bestnelson.org or contact Helen Lutz: 250-354-7509; email hsl1968@gmail.com.