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And yes, everything is not so dramatic and “first time” for other families. You might not initially feel so empathetic for every one you might sign up, if that’s the task you request. There are also the disenfranchised poor in the group, the long-desperate single moms, and second- or third-generation welfare families — those folks who have given up on finding a minimum-wage job that (after daycare expenses and the cost of securing reliable transportation is deducted) would never be left with enough money to buy a new toy or a new sweater or coat for a child. These parents may, realistically, truly depend on food pantries, resale stores and the help of strangers during the entire period they are raising children.
During the holiday season especially, they ask for the same compassion for their children that we would want for our own. Sometimes you don’t hear the “ask” part of it so clearly as you might like, but it’s there. It’s my belief, and experience in years of dealing with poor populations in another career, that no one wants to stand in a line for charity, regardless of demeanor or circumstance.
And this should remind us all that the average age of a homeless person in the United States today (and in Dane County) is nine years of age. There are many, many children in our community who really are only one tragedy — sometimes one night — away from living in a car or a shelter. Can we give them a little respite from those obvious worries for even the shortest time?
We may feel that we can’t change all of the woes of society, individually. We can’t, ourselves, re-educate (or finally educate) the parents for higher paying jobs. We can’t stop family cycles of drug abuse and neglect. We can’t re-employ everyone who has lost their job, or motivate someone who has lost their hope. That is the mission of the social workers involved with these families, who also will be on site during the registration process for referrals.
What we can do is to connect a child with a service. We can reach out our hands to neighbors and strangers alike and be there, in the service of others.
Four hours. That’s all I’m asking (but feel free to offer more!). Can you and your co-workers afford four hours in November?
The tangible benefit you could get, if you chose, would be the scrapbook opportunity for a boss, a partner, a friend, or (how about this?) take it on as a family gift this year. The intangible benefits will be the feeling in your soul that you made a difference that day in the lives of others. You will know your time was well spent.
And reminder, bosses — to state the obvious: If you are reading this and would like this gift, hint to your staff (and pass along the blog to the person most likely to coordinate it!).
To sign up, please e-mail me (jodyp@magnapubs.com) with your preferred availability and task choice (and feel free to opt for “wherever most needed” if you have no preference), and your [day] phone number and preferred e-mail address. We can set this up now.
Thank you in advance for your help, my friends and neighbors, whoever you are, wherever you work or live.
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