My wife sent me a link to this graphical presentation about wealth distribution in America. I had thought that I had some basic knowledge of the distribution and the inequality, but I was way off.
I actually had to watch this a few times, because it is so hard to believe for me!
I think this is a good presentation for citizens to view. Thought-provoking!
I’m delighted to share this poem by Shelby Courtland today.
Wherever I will sleep tonight,
I’ll get another bedbug bite.
No comfort shall I know,
in cots, row after row.
No peaceful dreams for me.
No cocoa, no hot tea.
Just a smelly, creaking cot
and the scent of fungus rot.
“Who’d want this life?” I wonder.
And everyday, I sit and ponder.
How much longer can I last?
Will this ever be my past?
All they say is, “move along!”
When I rest, I’m in the wrong.
I know for me, there is somewhere.
But right now, I live nowhere.
My bed is on my back.
Or in another homeless ‘shack’.
I guess I can’t complain.
I’m not in the pouring rain.
I bow my head in shame,
since they think I am to blame.
Some of us do drugs and drink.
We can’t help it if we stink.
Sometimes, the shelter’s full.
Don’t they know I’ve got no…
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I wrote this early one morning in March 2012.
The Waves Do Circle Me
I hear new waves this morning
Splashing on the shore not as warning,
But waves splashing on my soul,
Calming me, lifting my spirit full.
Jesus loved to be at his lake,
And at my Lake Michigan I am fully awake.
Crowds passing me, and the water breaking at the pier,
I have left dull sadness behind, sunny waves flushing my fear.In this community of Christ’s disciples, support circles me in waves.
I am uplifted by folks who have been with me for days and days.
Support comes in waves.
Spirit holds me; He saves.
Shepherded by disciples who hold me,
And let me look through many eyes to see,
My spirit leaps, and I am lifted high,
Joy fills my dull senses, and I reach to the sky.I am blessed by new waves.
© Tom Bolton, March 24, 2012
Homeless man in Anchorage, Alaska (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RECORD HOMELESS SINCE DEPRESSION
The above link is to a March 4 Wall Street Journal article.
Families have become a larger share of the nation’s homeless population, growing 1.4% from 2011 to 2012, after their numbers fell as the economy emerged from recession.
The numbers in New York, however, are starker, according to a report to be published Tuesday by the Coalition for the Homeless, a New York advocacy group, citing New York City government figures.
More than 21,000 children—an unprecedented 1% of the city’s youth—slept each night in a city shelter in January, an increase of 22% in the past year, the report said, while homeless families now spend more than a year in a shelter, on average, for the first time since 1987. In January, an average of 11,984 homeless families slept in shelters each night, a rise of 18% from a year earlier.
“New York is facing a homeless crisis worse than any time since the Great Depression,” said Mary Brosnahan, president of the Coalition for the Homeless.
Baby eating baby food (blended green beans) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Our Second Saturday Servants group from West Allis First UMC is working at Northcott Neighborhood House the next three months. In fact, we were there this past Saturday. A small crew will also be making sandwiches each month for delivery to homeless folks outside.
Northcott Neighborhood House offers a variety of programs to enrich our community.
This past week, our crew was organizing food in the food pantry. There was a recent donation of huge quantities of green beans to food pantries in the Milwaukee Area. Although I typically eat canned green beans often, I am tired of green beans this week!
The Northcott Neighborhood House emergency food pantry serves about 1,200 community residents annually. In addition, they distribute food to 1,000 older adults and recent Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program graduates. Bread, muffins and bakery goods are available daily, as well as a clothing exchange to meet family apparel needs.
We were heartily greeted as soon as we arrived at Northcott on Saturday. A couple young men offered to carry things in as I was parking the car. I was impressed by how genuine the greeting was. There were additional groups touring the center on Saturday, and that was exciting to me. There is much work to do, and it is wonderful to see new volunteers joining. Also, I have learned over these past few years that we are greatly blessed as we serve alongside the community. It pleases me each time I see new participants who are blessed along the path with us.
In the tight confines of the Food Pantry, I enjoyed working with out crew. I mentioned Saturday how delighted I was to share in the humor of Val and Karen. I loved the sincere enthusiasm of old friend Gary.
I look forward to new volunteers joining us on April 13. I am hoping to see two new volunteers in our group each month. I think it will be a good sign of our discipleship. We invite people from all over the community to join us each Second Saturday at 9:00 am. There is no need to be a member of West Allis First UMC. We just look for your sincere ministry to those who need us and love our presence.
Thursday (March 14) is match day at Milwaukee Rescue Mission, and it is an especially good day to make a donation to the Rescue Mission:
matchdaymke.razoo.com/Milwaukee-Rescue-Mission
Thank you for generously giving to help Milwaukee’s hurting and homeless on Thursday!
http://vimeo.com/4482583 Good vide here.
When homeless men or women with children are ready to rebuild their lives, they often need short- and long-term assistance, counseling, help in overcoming substance abuse, job training, and much more. Without comprehensive solutions to the troubles they face, they may quickly find themselves back on the streets, without hope. MRM serves this community through three areas:
•Safe Harbor, the Mission’s refuge for homeless, hurting men.
•Joy House, a place of safety and support for homeless mothers with children.
•CrossTrainers Academy, a K-5th grade Christian school for at-risk children in the city of Milwaukee.
In 2012, the Mission helped nearly 5,000 individuals. Here are some of the outcomes that were made possible thanks to donors in this community:
*293,121 meals served to hungry men, women and children
*114,639 nights of safe lodging provided
*140 graduations from long-term programs in Safe Harbor and Joy House
*759 professions of faith from men, women and children
*Finished $1.7 million capital project to renovate kitchen, dining hall & Safe Harbor
*10,509 volunteers dedicated 19,554 hours to helping our guests and residents
*21,110 hours of academic education completed by men and women
*50,233 hours of Job Training completed by men and women
*36,190 articles of clothing distributed to men, women and children
*$323,801.88 in debts repaid from 1997-2012 for child support, medical bills, back taxes and more from Safe Harbor men in the LifeSkills and Focus programs
March 14 will be a good day to contribute!
My interpretation of a stanza of Psalm 119:
K. Knowing Integrity
Your hands created me and you know me.
Knowing me, Lord, you help me to know me.
Knowing you, Holy One, my friends rejoice–
They know my hope; they know I am with your word.
Know that His commandments are fair when
We know what they say to us–when we listen.
Today I know:
Know your mercy surrounds and comforts me,
Know your sweet compassion cradles my soul,
and knowing your way, I am happy today;
Know that sinners are not forever,
not aware, and not knowing your word,
Know that those who find, come around me,
knowing we are together in your word,
Know my own heart, that place so hard to see when we don’t
Know integrity.
Hopeful 