We last left Meg when the Mendeles’ were sharing her home
with her. That chapter lasted just six months. Emilio secured a job in a small
manufacturing plant three miles away. His job used his past skills very well, and
the plant hired other Central American immigrants. He was quickly promoted to
foreman and his salary grew well to support his family in their own apartment
located within four blocks of his work.
As Emilio, Juanita and Juan moved to their own home, Juanita
was able to remain a stay-at-home mom until Juan was safely enrolled in
elementary school and after-school day care. That was yet a few years off but
Juanita planned on working outside the home to build a strong financial future
with her family. Things were working out pretty well for them!
Now, back to Meg.
Alone once again, Meg missed the 24/7 presence of people
living with her. She spent more time outside of her home, now, mostly in church
and programs that gathered people of similar social interests. Meg began
volunteer work with a city agency working to welcome and settle immigrant
families. From there she learned about food pantries and the huge need in the
city for gathering, sorting, packaging and distributing food to needy families
throughout the city.
Meg thought about that a lot. Why was there so much need in
a country of so much plenty? Meg still ponders that question. She has no
answers. But she feels a need to respond. So she talked with her pastor at
church and soon found there were other families working with a Lutheran relief
agency. And Meg joined them in their work.
So, once each month Meg joins a group of 6 families at a
city processing center where they sort and assemble meals for families. Meals,
daily rations, for families of two, or three or four. Then packaged into
cartons and carefully labeled. These are soon on their way to a designated list
of families throughout Chicago .
Two local food pantries operate nearby and Meg lends her
time to them as well. So food is something Meg thinks about and does something
about. She knows the need is much greater, but she does what she can.
Sewing, food, housing. These are the common elements so many
families take for granted. Not Meg. She sees a need and steps forward. If only
more would do the same.
Let’s see, food, clothing, shelter are basic necessities.
Like the hierarchy of needs in every society, these are the necessities required by each of us to survive. What are the others? Healthcare, education
and safety surely must be involved, Meg thinks. And so she returns to her
pastor at church to ask more questions.
She learns the city and county have agencies to address
needs for safety and healthcare. She also learns her church denomination
provides some services in healthcare and education for low income families. But
safety has Meg stumped until, in her sewing circle, she talks about how
families could be kept safer in the city.
She hears many opinions on this but Meg finally comes to the
conclusion, that except for police patrols and 911 calls for assistance, the
safety of most people depends on where their homes are located. Low income
neighborhoods seem plagued by more crime and violence, especially directed
against people of their own kind. She wonders why this is, but then knows one
basic answer to her quest for safety: move people to homes in safer
neighborhoods.
So back to the pastor! What can the local church do to help
people acquire homes in safer areas? Like helping the Mendeles, the church
found them a temporary home, Meg provided them six months more in her own
home, and that year was what the family needed to make the transition to self
reliance and success. How can we do the same for other families?
And so Meg had found a new mission. Pastor put her in
contact with others in the congregation to help, and together that band of
hardy souls connected with other agencies within the city that would augment
their efforts and build programs to address the need.
Hierarchy of needs, indeed! Meg was on the path of yet
another personal crusade. We will watch how well this effort goes.
August 18, 2016
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