A multi-year effort to reduce poverty is ready to take an important step. Saturday, the Opportunities for Quad Citians Committee will match volunteer mentors with local residents who are struggling to leave poverty.
Committee spokeswoman Liz Dierolf says 100 volunteers who've experienced success in their lives, called "navigators," have been trained to offer help.
And someone with experience in health care will help people struggling to pay their medical bills.
After a lot of research, Dierolf says the committee chose a model for eliminating poverty called "Opportunity Community." It was developed by Donna Beegle who grew up in poverty.
Opportunities for Quad Citians is funded by the United Way, and is a cooperative effort by a variety of agencies and organizations.
Matching navigators with people looking for help, called "neighbors," will be held at the Second Baptist Church in Rock Island, on Saturday from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. (919 6th ave.)
