As
a board member of Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth Counties in
southeastern Wisconsin, I take pride in the dozens of programs we run which are
aimed at creating pathways out of poverty. The ‘hand-up’ versus ‘handout’
approach is always something that has attracted me to volunteer with various
organizations, including Community Action. Whether it’s transitional housing, job
training or other programs, the staff works to illuminate options for
individuals in various situations of need.
With
beautiful resorts, vibrant communities, diverse businesses, dairy and crop
farms in Walworth County, as well as a state university, many would view the
area as a snapshot of middle class Americana. Rock County differs somewhat with
two smaller urban centers in Janesville and Beloit, but also enjoys diverse
employers, ample farming operations and unique higher education opportunities with
Beloit and Blackhawk Technical colleges. Elkhorn in Walworth County also boasts
a popular and growing Gateway Technical College.
Both
counties have vibrant arts communities, small family businesses, medium and
large employers, and public school districts striving to provide quality
education as well as numerous private schools. Recreational opportunities
abound. The lake communities in Walworth County bring tourists and visitors who
infuse hundreds of millions of dollars into local economies and the Rock River,
dissecting its namesake county is a destination for those seeking fun on the
water or shoreline.
With
all these assets and advantages, sometimes what most of us likely don’t see is
what may need the most attention. By comparison, our residents have lower than
average incomes and there is more poverty than the typical Wisconsin county.
Food pantries are active and social services administered by the counties are
busier than most would agree they should be. Yet, that is where we live.
We
live in a place with more people in poverty than most of us likely realize.
While I have many years of service as a Community Action board member, that
truth was underscored for me personally during a recent experience. The church
my family attends holds an annual gingerbread house event where families enjoy
a chili and hot dog dinner, and build a gingerbread house with supplies
provided by the church.
While
sitting in an early December Sunday service and hearing the pastor promote the
event, it occurred to me that Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter, a Community Action
facility on the Rock and Walworth county line, would likely have some families
with young children. My epiphany was to make it possible for those families to
attend the event, adding some normalcy to what otherwise is a less than ideal
holiday season when one finds themselves and their children homeless. It is
unlikely if not unimaginable that anyone plans to be homeless or looks forward
to applying for shelter housing.
Fast
forward to the evening of gingerbread house building when I signed-out a church
van to pick up three families from the shelter to attend the event. Parents and
children climbed into the van, buckled up, and we departed. The van was filled
with excited chatter from the kids about where we were going and what it would
be like. Among all the shrieks of excitement, questions, and observations
during the drive, one short string of statements is forever engraved on my
memory. Less than a mile from the shelter, one of the youngest children repeatedly
said what a ‘great’ car this was and what a ‘nice’ car this was. Keep in mind;
we’re talking about a plain, white, church van with vinyl bench seats. Then,
the child said, ‘Mom, can we live in this car?’ While everyone continued their
conversations anticipating the evening’s activities, the voice of that young
child, plaintively asking if she and her family could live in the van, were the
most shattering words I’ve ever heard.
Where
we live is among many who we probably think are mostly like us, and, some who
are more fortunate, and some who are less fortunate. What we may not know, is
where or how they live and what can make a difference in their lives,
especially those experiencing extremely difficult times. That evening of
warmth, smiles, laughter and fellowship are forever captured in my heart and
mind. A young child’s plea to ‘live’ in the ‘nice car’ is unforgettable. Where
we live, how we live, and how we see and help those around us is what can
matter more than I ever realized before this experience.
Royce
K. DeBow, Board President
Community
Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth Counties
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