What Government Can't Be

As I read the article this morning on homelessness being on the rise in Linn county I experience an uncomfortable dichotomy.

My first reactions include things like- what can we do as a city to help those who are on the streets and in homeless shelters. What exactly does transitional housing provide and how difficult is it to create more of it. What program or group of programs could be created to reduce the human misery and expenses from the root causes of mental illness, poverty, addictions etc? In other words- what can government programs or non-profit alliances do? What can institutions do?

On the other hand, what can I , as a woman of faith , do as an individual? What are my responsibilities as a citizen and fellow human being ? What small thing could I be doing to make a difference in someone's life.?How could I be extending the resources of the programs that are already living on shoestring budgets and struggling to provide for the men, women and children who are in need of their services?

These trying times are demanding that ordinary citizens look beyond the idea that government programs can provide wholeness to people's torn and tattered lives. People provide relationships. Programs can provide a framework for those relationships and a limited amount of financial assistance in most cases.

We need to learn more about community building. we need to explore partnerships between not only governmental agencies, but faith communities, civic organizations and families. We need to learn that while money is needed as a resource, it is not the only resource many of us have to share.

We each have gifts, talents and areas of expertise. We can join in the public conversations about issues that are important to us. we can attend meetings and write letters and email those who sit on boards. We can even offer to join those boards .

We can also contact non-profits and offer our time, financial resources or skills. There are many wonderful non-profits that are seeking talent and resources after the floods of 2008.

Have the courage to do something ! Create the Community!