CLIMB Wyoming is a Reason to Give Thanks

I became aware of CLIMB Wyoming this summer when my husband and I were attending the FMCA convention.  The Family Motor Coach Association held its annual convention in Gillette, Wyoming, and CLIMB was the designated charity for the event.   After a presentation of this program and its results, Tom and I gave generously. 

CLIMB is a private, nonprofit organization that trains and places low-income single mothers in careers that successfully support their families.   They have been given one state grant, but use no federal money.

 

How are they doing?  Look at this:

 

Category                    Before CLIMB                      After CLIMB

 

Monthly income                  $1027                                     $2440

Employment                              46%                                       76%

% on public healthcare            32%                                       10%

% on food stamps                     49%                                       30%

 

Some people look at a problem and just see a problem.  Others see that failure, like success, is built one brick at a time and can be attacked the same way.  CLIMB Wyoming was started 25 years ago by a woman, Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen.   What Dr. Dinneen saw was an ever increasing number of young, single mothers with limited resources, limited education, and no visible way out of the poverty that was crushing them and dooming their children.  Dr. Dinneen also saw that attacking just one part of the problem left too many other weak walls ready to collapse on top of them.  They were poor, but their poverty was caused by something.  Cure the cause and you cured the poverty. 

First, she realized that job training can’t be done by some pasty-faced social engineer who hasn’t had a job outside of the abstract.  So she went to the three major employers in Wyoming and asked them to train these women for the jobs in which they would eventually place them!  Wow--who saw that one coming--actually using potential employers to train people for jobs they wanted filled. 

Second, Dr. Dinneen knew that part of the reason these women were in trouble was because of bad personal choices.  They needed mental health services and life style coaching that helped them deal with two cold facts.  Yes, you made some bad choices.  But, know this; you can be strong, savvy and smart enough to make better choices.  Here is how you to do that…

Third, if you want to succeed as a parent, you have to have parenting skills.  If you didn’t learn them at your momma’s knee, we can give them to you.  But you have to be willing to learn.  Day care, diet, positive discipline and a goal oriented life are all part of the program.  

CLIMB is nothing if not a dose of reality.  Since this program gives a great deal, it also demands a great deal and there is no question that not all single mothers are ready to rise to the level of dedication needed.  Applicants are interviewed and if they want a hand-out instead of a hand-up they are directed to other services.  The program is successful because it requires equal commitment from all participants.  There are no victims here, just workers. 

In the 25 years that CLIMB Wyoming has worked to solve the problem of poverty among single mothers it has served 1661 women and 2572 children.  It has shown what people of good will, working with private industry and personal initiative can accomplish.

It is Thanksgiving.  If you want to give thanks for this program, I would recommend sending a donation to CLIMB Wyoming at www.climbwyoming.org.

Support the charities that support America and keep the faith.