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What’s the Best Way to Help Someone?
By JLP | November 30, 2008
The Houston Chronicle has been running a series called GoodFellows, in which they profile a family in financial straits that can’t afford Christmas.
The stories are both sad and maddening. They are sad because these families need help and maddening because so many men fail to take responsibility for their actions. For instance, one family profiled is a single mom with six kids. SIX KIDS! Her husband left the family after Hurricane Katrina and he’s not paying child support! My wife and I make decent money and we would have a hard time affording six kids. According to the article, this lady works two jobs and brings home $1,000 per month.
The purpose of these GoodFellows profiles is to help these families give their kids Christmas gifts. That’s all fine and good, but these families have needs way beyond Christmas. So, this brings to mind a question:
What’s the best way to help families in need? I mean REALLY help them!
Somehow I don’t think giving them money will help. I think they need more than just money. I think they need to learn to provide for themselves and to learn the art of good decision-making. I’m all for education assistance for those who really want to improve themselves. I would also go for some sort of temporary housing assistance for those enrolled in some kind of college or career training.
This lady is at least going to try to go to nursing school. I think that’s great.
What are your thoughts?
Topics: Question of the Day |