Watch your pennies!!!

Good morning to all:  I have been wondering about how all this 'upset' in the Middle East might possibly be paid for, someday.  Well,  some of the answer to parts of it is in the next projected budget.  Bits and pieces are being released.  My concern was the health care proposal, cut by 2% to 20%, depending where you read.  Doesn't sound like much, does it?  2%-anyone can afford that, right?  But look where the subtle cuts are coming from-the poor, the underserved, the folks without big bucks backing them up.  'Thus it has always been written, thus it is so,' ad nauseam.  But there is a way to fight back-sort of.  For every $100.00, $1,000.00 or whatever is cut from a program we know about, we need to find volunteers to help fill in the deficit.  And a way to recruit a volunteer is to tell the truth-"the money for this program has been cut, perhaps again.  Writing your congressperson might help for next year, but this program needs help now."   It will require that we stay on top of what is happen in our area of interest.  Do you support the Food Distribution from the Dept of Agriculture?  Find out how much less cheese, butter, peanut butter is given out because staff was cut.  Are you a tree hugger but your favorite hiking trail was closed because there is no staff to keep it clean?  Find a scout troop to 'adopt' the trail.  More money was cut from Medicaid, making nursing homes lay off employees?  Volunteer to lead Crafts, to be a friendly visitor, organize a Church group-men and women to visit several times a month to take residents for walks, play bingo, talk to.  Keep track of the volunteers you recruit, thank them, write letters, make them cookies.

As long as money will be spent on death and destruction by anyone, someone else is going to have to be around to pick up the pieces.  If all we can do is put up with the status quo, then we have to find a way to still function as  people of character who are unwilling to stand by while our neighbors suffer.  I don't have the money to fix things, or the political power to change things.  But I read, ask questions of people I trust and I HAVE A BIG MOUTH!  Do you remember to movie where the man stuck his head out of a window, yelling  "I'm mad as hell and I'm not taking it anymore."?  Well, that is pretty much where I am at-I do not want to stand around anymore and watch idiots buy bombs instead of bread.

Right this minute all I can do is vent in this blog, but I will also edit it down and send it to all the Editors in my area.  I can do some soul searching and decide what people-oriented issues I care about, REALLY care about. And I have to pick my arena of concern.  Where will I honestly be able to do something?  Once I pick a cause, I will look at where their support and money comes from.  That way I can be more alert to cut backs, political game playing and unkept promises.  I sound like an idealized newly graduated college kid,out to change the world, to some of you.   Guess what, I am 63 years old, have 3 kids and 14 grandkids.  I was a social worker for 30 years, retired, got bored and joined AmeriCorps.  And I am having the best time I have ever had as a change agent. I have more freedom now to do things that embarrass my kids.

So, if you are reading this-consider this- The Feds are not here to bail us out any more-the deficit is too big, it will prohably never get paid off.  The poor will continue to struggle, wars will never stop and someone has to step up to do the right things, even if it is for just one person, family, group or organization.  ARE YOU THAT PERSON?  Write me if you are and we will start a parade.

Thats all the venom for now-be seeing ya.

Currently Listening Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast) By Stephen Schwartz, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel see related

Notes from the Universe

The hungry child in Mongolia said to say, "Hi!" The sad monk in Tibet, "Thanks for the laugh!" The realtor in Minnesota asked, "Are you sure about the farmer's market?" The dancer in Rome, "Don't tell a soul..." And the sage in Djibouti says, "You have exactly what it takes to be a doula!"

Tell me, Heather, any recollection of all your other-worldly to-ings and fro-ings, yet? Or should we still pretend you're just mortal?

If you only knew...
    The Universe

Oh, and Heather...   Ra called you a show-off.

Kids and Literacy

Telling folks about us!

Hi-I'm Sandy with AmeriCorps in Muskegon and I'm giving my congratulations and 'high fives' to the Grand Rapids Red Cross AmeriCorps 100 hours of Power project.  I had the chance to read with and for them for 10 hours on Weds.  You see, their project for the AmeriCorps Week was to read non-stop for 100 hours in a plexiglass box set up out doors at Schulers Book Store in Grand Rapids.  That's right, ALL NIGHT, in the rain and cold and blowing wind. They got great publicity from both the Press and a local TV channel.  The public was asked to bring in new and gently used books that will go the the Grand Rapids After School Programs.   You need to know that I am an older lady and sitting out in the public eye on 28th street is a new adventure for me.  Hats off to you all, what an imaginative idea. 

Now here's my story:  I tend to learn lessons the hard way.  But this was a good one.  Tuesday I was running errands for Muskegons Project and was at Wal-mart, wearing my Americorps shirt.  The clerk asks "So-whats AmeriCorps?"  I was glad to give the short version.  She says, "And what do you do for them?"  I am a Patient Medication Assistance volunteer, at Muskegon Family Care Clinic, and LOVE the impact I help make, so it is not hard for me to talk about it.  The result?  This person is having trouble affording medicine and her doctor told her that he does not 'do that', (medication assistance).  "No problem", said I as I handed her my card and told her to call me next week.

Then I went over to the bakery, said hello to some friends when someone said, "I just got cut off from Medicaid, what do I do now?"  So out comes my business cards again as I suggested he call Muskegon Family Care for an appointment because insurance is not required.  Another told us how much Wal Mart health insurance was going to cost for her 3 kids,-60.00 a month.  "Have you checked in MI. Child at the Health Department?"  I said as the business cards came out again.  "Is this what AmeriCorps does?" my friend said.  "Its part of it but I could not be doing this if it wasn't for AmeriCorps"  I replied. "I have learned about community health care programs and how people here in town can get health care and medicines and not have to worry about how to pay, since I was assigned to Muskegon Family Care"  And it is true.  I've been a medical social worker for 30 years, working in ER's, hospitals and nursing homes.  I NEVER KNEW!  What we do, AmeriCorps, is why I became a social worker in the first place. 

So now my assignment also includes getting the message out, any time, anywhere, anyhow.  I wear my shirt with pride, carry a supply of business cards and MFC brochures and preach health care and AmeriCorps.  Do you?

Community Outreach