I recently went to a meeting for nonprofits. I didn’t know most of the 17 people who were there. Then they introduced themselves and I was impressed.
There were executive directors and board members from United Way, the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Parenting Matters Foundation and American Red Cross. I may have even missed one or two.
They were there to discuss what was happening in Clallam County. They wanted to discuss the strengths and the barriers to what is going on in our community, what we should be doing and what we aren’t doing.
Most of the people brought up issues one after another. You could tell they were really into what they were discussing. They discussed issues people in our community are facing every day:
• The need for parenting classes that aren’t available even when the court orders them
• The need for vocational training in our community
• The issues for children whose parents are into drug abuse
• The financial instabililty that faces many families
• The problem of kids living in cars
• The difficulty of finding affordable housing
• The problem of not enough care providers who will provide medical and dental services for lower income families
• The need to provide education for parents of young children
• The need to provide information to families in need
• etc., etc., etc.
Clallam is like many other communities. We have a significant number of families who struggle to raise their children, who have mental health issues, who get into problems and have difficulty getting out, who lack the education and training to make a decent wage, and who lack the finances to get the help they need. Many of these people can be helped.
Everyone on board
What is amazing is the number of people in our community who step up to help in whatever way they can. Most of the people who sat around the table for this meeting were people who volunteer to help. They represent others who also volunteer. It is truly impressive to see the number of people who volunteer to help through the many agencies in our community.
That doesn’t mean others aren’t needed.
Taking the giving we see in our community even further and you count the number of people who offer to help financially. Most agencies publish lists of major sponsors. There you see the names of other heroes we have to thank.
When you look at these lists, pay attention to the names you know. Thank them. Many services are only available through their generosity.
Consider how you fit into this remarkable list of names who help by volunteering or donating for the many services that are needed. Contact the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic or Parenting Matters Foundation and see how you can help. Stop by the Boys and Girls Club and speak to them about ways you can help them.
You are needed. You just need to find the best fit for you. Sometimes that takes a little looking around but you can succeed.
You can join the other heroes in our community who sat at the table for the United Way meeting.
Actually, this was just one of several meetings that United Way is holding. Not only did they talk about what was happening to help people, they also discussed the many ways we still need to work to take care of the needs that exist. They spent considerable time talking about what is not being done and what needs to be done. They are not spending time patting themselves on the back.
They are looking for what is next that would help our community. That is impressive.
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com.
