By: Michele Steeb
A friend and I were at the gym a couple of weeks ago. Gym protocol states that when you have finished with your weights, you need to put them back where they belong. Most people follow that protocol… a few do not… We finished our set of exercises and returned our weights to the rack. I saw a weight in the middle of the floor. I asked, “Is that from us?” To which he replied, “No, it’s someone else’s.” Something became very clear to me in that moment… It’s all us. We picked up the weight and put it back where it belongs.
We are a community. We are all connected. When one of us achieves, the community gains. When one of us is hurting, the community suffers. Said in another way, we are only as strong as the weakest among us.
Our failure to help those who are suffering is a failure to elevate ourselves, both in the spiritual sense and in the practical sense. The direct costs and the opportunity costs to keep homeless women and their children in the system are enormous. When we help these families help themselves they are able to begin to realize their great potential. They begin to ween themselves from the system. They become positive role models and inspiration for others.
The women and children St. John’s serves are homeless; they are not helpless! Consider Melanie, a mother of two, who after completing St. John’s Shelter Program and Plates training program, is now in a $40,000 a year Customer Management role with a building products company. Consider Shalonda, a mother of four, who also completed St. John’s Shelter Program and Plates training program, now the lead cashier at the brand new Crocker Cafe. Consider Carmen, a mother of two, who is now gainfully employed at Good Eats.
St. John’s makes a difference in the lives of homeless women with children! Each time one of these weaker links is strengthened, every member of our community becomes stronger and benefits. Our community becomes stronger. This is possible because of YOU and your investment in US. Thank you
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