What we know about poverty: Trends, solutions, and local experiences

Monday, June 22, 2026
6:30 p.m.

(1000 Mix Thai food truck will be at the barn beginning at 5:30 & the bar will be open from 5:30-6:30)

The Octagon Barn
E4350 Horseshoe Rd., Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588

J. Michael Collins, Associate Director for Training and Research at the UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty, will share information on poverty-related trends and potential solutions identified through the Institute’s and others’ research.

Loren Glasbrenner, River Valley School District Superintendent, and Joan Zahalka, a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul, will share their real-world experiences of poverty trends in our community.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

J. Michael Collins

J. Michael Collins is the Fetzer Family Chair in Consumer & Personal Finance in the School of Human Ecology, a Professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs, a family economics specialist for the Division of Extension, the Associate Director for Training and Research at the Institute for Research on Poverty, and an affiliate of the Center for Demography and Ecology, the UW Survey Center and the School of Social Work. He leads the UW Retirement and Disability Research Consortium research center funded by the Social Security Administration.

Collins studies consumer decision-making in the financial marketplace, including the role of public policy in influencing credit, savings and investment choices. He is involved in studies of household finance and well-being supported by leading foundations and federal agencies. In addition to the edited volume, A Fragile Balance: Emergency Savings and Liquid Resources for Low-Income Consumers, Collins co-authored the textbook: Financial Capability and Asset Building: A Textbook for Professionals (Oxford Press, with Birkemeier and Sherraden)

Collins brings two decades of applied experiences and consulting to his research. He co-founded SpringFour, an online resource for people facing financial challenges. He also worked for NeighborWorks America (Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation) and the Millennial Housing Commission.  

Loren Glasbrenner

Mr. Loren G. Glasbrenner proudly serves as the District Administrator for the River Valley School District.  With 35 years of experience in education, he has a great enthusiasm for public education and life in rural Wisconsin.  He and his partner, Cindy have four grown children that visit their farmette in Bear Valley as often as possible. He is active in the daily fun of classrooms and activities on the campus and in our community.

Joan Zahalka

Joan Zahalka and her husband Rick of 45 years, started the St. Vincent de Paul River Valley Conference with a dedicated group of "Vincentian volunteers" from St. John the Evangelist Church in Spring Green and St. Luke's in Plain. For the past 7 years, through our Outreach program, they have been serving their Neighbors in Need in the River Valley community.  Rick and Joan are retired and enjoy spending time with their 3 sons, their wives, and their 9 energetic grandchildren.  In their "spare time", they enjoy fishing, biking, hiking and visiting our State parks.

  • No! This event is free and unticketed.

  • Yes! We love to give our attendees a chance to meet and chat after the lectures. Please stay for cookies and iced tea after the event.

  • Yes! The 1000 Mix Thai food truck will be at the barn beginning at 5:30 & the bar will be open from 5:30-6:30.