For Maggie Lyons of Charity Reimagined, Christmas represents an opportunity not just to give gifts, but to remind people of their giftings. In fact, she’s helped shape a program centered around the idea that everyone has capacity to contribute and honoring capacity is a beautiful thing.
In the year following their release, only 55% of former prisoners have any wages, with the median worker earning a mere $5,900. An in-depth analysis by the Brookings Institution reveals a surprising truth: many of these problems finding and maintaining decent employment are worse in the years before they go to prison than after.
In their book, “Rooting for Rivals,” authors Peter Greer and Chris Horst implore non-profit leaders to link arms in pursuit of a vision beyond the boundaries of their own organization in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven advance in a strife-ridden world.
The data speaks for itself: a mere 2% of adults who work full-time live in poverty. Additionally, working adults are happier and healthier than their non-working counterparts. Klamath Works, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, has taken to heart the value of work—and discovered a little-known scientific tool for getting clients into jobs that work for them.
For Royce Nelson, Executive Director of the Fuller Center for Housing chapter located in Joplin, MO, material assistance is less about provision and more about partnership. That perspective has shaped the way Fuller Center for Housing approaches charity, inspiring meaningful exchange and quality relationships—in their view, treating their clientele as collaborators rather than charity cases is key to sustainable, development-oriented solutions for those in poverty.
Invisible Neighbors is a faith-based study perfect for those looking to expand their knowledge and gain practical insight on how best to care for the poor. Written by John Ashmen, a long-time veteran in service to the poor and president of Citygate Network, this expertly written study convicts and equips its participants to reach out to their neighbors in need.
Volunteering provides ample opportunities to meaningfully connect with people, a truth I was reminded of while serving with Watered Gardens’ overnight shelter as I listened to a man share about his romantic relationship. Though he confidently shared about the relationship’s quality, I noticed some red flags, so I attempted “truth in love” — I asked him how he knew their relationship was as healthy as he said. Immediately, his eyes glazed over and, wordlessly, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and began scrolling absentmindedly.
By Savannah Aleckson, published in the Joplin Globe on May 3rd, 2020 It’s been a historic year already, and we’re not even halfway through 2020. From the onset of the COVID-19 […]
