For the first time in a very long time, I think the City of Calgary and people are getting it right.
I'm not saying that there is no need for programming, there definitely always will be, but giving people the skills, knowledge, encouragement, support, and resources they need to look after themselves, now there's where real change begins to happen.
This includes long lasting change. This is how you build community. This is how you make people feel better about themselves and have them feel like they have some control of their circumstances.
What is that quote? "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
I've seen it time and time again. A program starts, people take part, and then the funding for that program runs out and the people who relied on that program are left lost and abandoned.
Open a food bank and people go there for reliance on their food. Now give them a field in their community for plants, teach them the skills and knowledge to care for and grow that fruit, vegetables, herbs, then you have less reliance on a program and more opportunity for people to feel empowered, encouraged, productive, PROUD, it gives them a feeling of confidence.
I can see that in the eyes of the volunteers for the upcoming Tool Box. They've been given the tools needed to look after their homes, they've been given the knowledge on how to properly use the tools, the opportunity to be an active member of society, and skills to carry with them for future employment and life long skills. I see the pride in my neighbor who looks after the garden, she has quite the green thumb, drive, love for the community and the plants.
One of the great things about living in poverty, is that we look after our own, I don't see this kind of caring, love, and grace in a wealthier neighborhood.
So Thank You Lincoln Park Family, for doing what you do, for being who you are, and for taking an active role in your community. People like you are priceless and rare.
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