The anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” You go, Peter!
But oh, the problem of funding! Today that pretty much requires skill in algorithms, social media trending, and other computer skills that you probably …
The anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” You go, Peter!
But oh, the problem of funding! Today that pretty much requires skill in algorithms, social media trending, and other computer skills that you probably have. And somewhere out there are the people with money, and you need to match them up with your conceptual goals. But I have recently seen two very good ideas posted on Substack, for which I fully expected to net huge financial donations, but they got almost nothing! I’m concluding that the problem of inflation is really, severely affecting everyone’s budget. Discretionary purchases and charitable donations are the first items to get cut from the budget, right? Plus, younger people have been indoctrinated to automatically feel that if there is a problem, the government is supposed to do something about it, ‘not me’. You have your work cut out for you - to find the people who have the means and the interest to advance your charitable goals. They ARE out there, and you’re just the man smart enough to find them.
I am going to indulge in a bit of enlightened self-interest and remind everyone who might be reading this that donating to the Houses Of Refuge Project is easy and can be done straight off the website.
Funding is the constant challenge. I am hopefull my paying subscribers here will continue to support me, with their subscriptions and donations going in full to the Houses Of Refuge Project. That's not a complete solution but it will in short order help get more and more of the basics established.
I am also hopeful that, once we get a couple of initiatives started and pilot projects going, even if they are "small", that will help generate positive press and help raise awareness of what we are working to do. The more we raise awareness about these issues--and raise awareness that solutions are truly at hand, if we will but extend that hand--the more we will find people willing to support our efforts. Funding is a challenge but so long as we keep promoting the message, the mission, and the vision, it is also the piece that will come along on its own.
Here’s an idea to file away for later: getting work-boot companies to endorse, sponsor, or publicize your ministry’s goal of getting work shoes to people. For example in the small city of Red Wing, MN are the home offices and factory for Red Wing work boots. I’ve always had the impression that they are a decent bunch of people - the kind that would donate some work boots and use their corporate connections to help you find more funding. Once you’ve got a pilot project running, you might want to contact them.....
That will definitely be something I want to explore going forward. The idea behind the $50 gift card approach is that it is a simple straightforward approach--put a resource in the hands of businesses to directly resolve the challenge of having necessary footwear for new employees.
There is a double purpose here. By engaging with businesses and putting them in the "pipeline", so to speak, the business owner also gets to send a message of hope and support to new hires. The business owner is able to do something tangible to tell new hires "I got your back."
Not only does this resolve the challenge of not having proper work shoes for the new hire, but it also builds morale and is an easy means for the business owner to encourage retention among the staff.
The anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” You go, Peter!
But oh, the problem of funding! Today that pretty much requires skill in algorithms, social media trending, and other computer skills that you probably have. And somewhere out there are the people with money, and you need to match them up with your conceptual goals. But I have recently seen two very good ideas posted on Substack, for which I fully expected to net huge financial donations, but they got almost nothing! I’m concluding that the problem of inflation is really, severely affecting everyone’s budget. Discretionary purchases and charitable donations are the first items to get cut from the budget, right? Plus, younger people have been indoctrinated to automatically feel that if there is a problem, the government is supposed to do something about it, ‘not me’. You have your work cut out for you - to find the people who have the means and the interest to advance your charitable goals. They ARE out there, and you’re just the man smart enough to find them.
I am going to indulge in a bit of enlightened self-interest and remind everyone who might be reading this that donating to the Houses Of Refuge Project is easy and can be done straight off the website.
http://www.housesofrefuge.org/
Every dollar donated will make a difference. We need and appreciate everyone's generosity and support!
Funding is the constant challenge. I am hopefull my paying subscribers here will continue to support me, with their subscriptions and donations going in full to the Houses Of Refuge Project. That's not a complete solution but it will in short order help get more and more of the basics established.
I am also hopeful that, once we get a couple of initiatives started and pilot projects going, even if they are "small", that will help generate positive press and help raise awareness of what we are working to do. The more we raise awareness about these issues--and raise awareness that solutions are truly at hand, if we will but extend that hand--the more we will find people willing to support our efforts. Funding is a challenge but so long as we keep promoting the message, the mission, and the vision, it is also the piece that will come along on its own.
Here’s an idea to file away for later: getting work-boot companies to endorse, sponsor, or publicize your ministry’s goal of getting work shoes to people. For example in the small city of Red Wing, MN are the home offices and factory for Red Wing work boots. I’ve always had the impression that they are a decent bunch of people - the kind that would donate some work boots and use their corporate connections to help you find more funding. Once you’ve got a pilot project running, you might want to contact them.....
That will definitely be something I want to explore going forward. The idea behind the $50 gift card approach is that it is a simple straightforward approach--put a resource in the hands of businesses to directly resolve the challenge of having necessary footwear for new employees.
There is a double purpose here. By engaging with businesses and putting them in the "pipeline", so to speak, the business owner also gets to send a message of hope and support to new hires. The business owner is able to do something tangible to tell new hires "I got your back."
Not only does this resolve the challenge of not having proper work shoes for the new hire, but it also builds morale and is an easy means for the business owner to encourage retention among the staff.
Everybody wins. Which is as it should be.