On June 28th the Food Bank of the Southern Tier held a graduation ceremony for the most recent class of the Community Advocates Training (CAT) Program. The venue for the graduation ceremony was The L on Breesport Rd. There were 10 total graduates from the program in this session, and guests at the graduation were able to hear from five of the graduates in person, and one via pre-recorded speech. US Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19) was present and spoke, as well as a representative of US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23).
If we expect change to happen, people with lived experience must be part of the process of building and sustaining hunger-free communities. The Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s Community Advocates Program builds leadership skills of people who have experienced financial hardship and food insecurity so they can raise their voices in the work to end hunger. Graduates are equipped to share their stories and change the narrative about people who experience financial hardships, and to illustrate the complexities of poverty and food insecurity in the United States.
Jackie Bogart is the Food Bank’s Community Empowerment Coordinator and coordinates the Community Advocates Program, including the graduation program.
News story from WENY News about the CAT graduation event
Do you have experience with food insecurity? You can become a Community Advocate. We are seeking the leadership of experts in lived experience of hunger or poverty whose voices are underrepresented in the anti-hunger movement. We’re looking for folks from all walks of life! Community Advocates are problem-solvers who share their experience and information about poverty and food insecurity with their community and elected officials. If you are interested in learning more about the Community Advocate Training Program, you can reach out to Jackie Bogart, Community Engagement Coordinator, via email or at 607.796.6061.
