There are many more stories I intend to share on behalf of Nichole over the course of this blog. But, I think it’s also important to inject some ideas that we might all be able take action on and maybe make a difference. So, that is what I plan to do tonight.
Your contributions to the posts in the “Ideas Gallery” are particularly important. Click on the “comments” link at the end of the post to provide your thoughts. Feel free to provide your comments at any time…
It takes a village…
I’d like to remind you of 2 expressions that I’m sure you’ve heard before: 1/ It takes a village to raise a child; and 2/ Lead by example. What I get from putting these 2 expressions together is that, in order to raise a child – in all the positive sense of the term – we must model the behaviour we want to see.
If we want to make a real difference in bridging the gap between poverty and lack of education, we have to remember that contributing to this gap are, in no particular order of priority, communities, families, and schools. So, when we build out our programs, we have to find a way to link positive support at all the influence points.
The Coordination Team:
What if there was a "coordination team" whose job it was to work within specific communities and draw together those groups who focus on different aspects of the poverty spectrum: Food Banks, Adult education & job placement, Community improvement, Mentoring, Sports, etc… This very targeted focus would likely make a real impact and could transform areas over shorter periods of time than if we hit each individual issue on its own.
You’ll notice that I’m trying to stay away from government support. This doesn’t mean that these families and communities shouldn’t continue to get the support that they are entitled to, but the point is to help them improve to a level where that support is not required. Education is key!
Adults, like children, must learn. They have to be able identify those opportunities where they can apply the learning, and then they have to get paid for it. They also need the support required to feed and shelter their family. Don't forget, they have to be able to get to work too!
Corporations who are part of the broader community should get involved! If labour shortage is an issue – and it is today – these corporations would benefit tremendously from a program that would help people living in poverty acquire skills for future application directly with them. Imagine the employee engagement that comes from helping someone help himself?
A great example of an organization doing just that is RONA. The RONA Foundation makes a difference – one youth at a time. As a sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games, RONA has provided materials for the legacy housing which will house athletes during the Games, and be transformed into subsidized housing after the games. Over 150 housing units will be available. In addition to this, RONA’s “How-to” team also worked with homeless and underprivileged youth in the Vancouver area to build various Olympic venues. By providing skills and training to these youth, RONA has given hope and made a difference in these communities. Want to hear the best part? These youth are now training other youth to build more venues, and they are getting paid for it!
For the record – the RONA Foundation and the RONA How-to team provide support to underprivileged communities across Canada.
Your contributions to the posts in the “Ideas Gallery” are particularly important. Click on the “comments” link at the end of the post to provide your thoughts. Feel free to provide your comments at any time…
It takes a village…
I’d like to remind you of 2 expressions that I’m sure you’ve heard before: 1/ It takes a village to raise a child; and 2/ Lead by example. What I get from putting these 2 expressions together is that, in order to raise a child – in all the positive sense of the term – we must model the behaviour we want to see.
If we want to make a real difference in bridging the gap between poverty and lack of education, we have to remember that contributing to this gap are, in no particular order of priority, communities, families, and schools. So, when we build out our programs, we have to find a way to link positive support at all the influence points.
The Coordination Team:
What if there was a "coordination team" whose job it was to work within specific communities and draw together those groups who focus on different aspects of the poverty spectrum: Food Banks, Adult education & job placement, Community improvement, Mentoring, Sports, etc… This very targeted focus would likely make a real impact and could transform areas over shorter periods of time than if we hit each individual issue on its own.
You’ll notice that I’m trying to stay away from government support. This doesn’t mean that these families and communities shouldn’t continue to get the support that they are entitled to, but the point is to help them improve to a level where that support is not required. Education is key!
Adults, like children, must learn. They have to be able identify those opportunities where they can apply the learning, and then they have to get paid for it. They also need the support required to feed and shelter their family. Don't forget, they have to be able to get to work too!
Corporations who are part of the broader community should get involved! If labour shortage is an issue – and it is today – these corporations would benefit tremendously from a program that would help people living in poverty acquire skills for future application directly with them. Imagine the employee engagement that comes from helping someone help himself?
A great example of an organization doing just that is RONA. The RONA Foundation makes a difference – one youth at a time. As a sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games, RONA has provided materials for the legacy housing which will house athletes during the Games, and be transformed into subsidized housing after the games. Over 150 housing units will be available. In addition to this, RONA’s “How-to” team also worked with homeless and underprivileged youth in the Vancouver area to build various Olympic venues. By providing skills and training to these youth, RONA has given hope and made a difference in these communities. Want to hear the best part? These youth are now training other youth to build more venues, and they are getting paid for it!
For the record – the RONA Foundation and the RONA How-to team provide support to underprivileged communities across Canada.
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As a customer of Rona, I would like this initiative to be announced more clearly in their stores so that they can get their customers more involved ... Tim Horton's does that in advertising their camps in the coffeehouses. Encourage Rona to do that Judi ... by sending them your blog. Keep up the excellent work!...(Médecins Sans Frontières is an organization that also believes strongly they must keeps their independence by not accepting support of governments!)
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