The United Way of Lebanon County has established a goal of helping 7,000 individuals move to self-sufficiency by 2025. In light of that challenging goal, a group has been studying traditional approaches to helping others, then considering other, potentially more effective approaches.

On May 14, that group will host a seminar and dinner entitled Reimagine Charity. The seminar is intended to raise awareness of better charity models, create common language for the collective work in our community, and create a movement towards more effective anti-poverty work.

Registration begins at 5:00pm, an informal dinner begins at 5:30pm and the three-hour interactive program begins at 6:15pm at the Mund Center of Lebanon Valley College in Annville.

Fifteen individuals has been meeting weekly at the Lebanon YMCA to study of the book, When Helping Hurts. Their six-week study will finish the week before the seminar at LVC; their journey will continue at the Reimagine Charity seminar.

Based on concepts presented in the books Toxic Charity and Charity Detox, Reimagine Charity will be facilitated by Donell Woodson of the Lupton Center in Atlanta GA.

There is no charge for the dinner or program, but registration is requested by May 10th. Contact Lee Smedley via email at smedleylee@gmail.com or text at 610-914-3846.

The dinner and seminar are provided by Support Connections of Lebanon County (SCLC) and the Lebanon Rescue Mission. Sponsors include Lebanon Valley College, Metz Culinary Management, Thrivent Financial and the Salem Lutheran Endowment.

The seminar has been approved for NASW-PA credits and qualifies for CEU credits for UMC pastors.