Saturday, January 17, 2009
Citizens and the community
After listening to Lakeasha Jones speak the other day in class, my enthusiasm towards working with Project Angel Heart only grows. The service Project Angel Heart offers is like no other in the Denver area. Hearing Lakeasha say that without Project Angel Heart the people they cater to may not be living or would literally wear away was hard to believe. Could we as a country completely neglect people like this to the point where their lives are threatened? While one would think that this is crazy, it has become more prevelent than other in recent years. If one looks at the homeless rates in this country you can see a 40% increase in homelessness since 2000. Some factors have to be taken into account with this situation, like the current economic slump. Although this prohibits some people from donating money to public service organizations, their time and commitment is still needed. This is what makes organizations like Project Angel Heart the most effective in my mind. Even though it needs for money/food to be donated, the driving force behind it comes from the volunteers involved. More people should be aware of organizations like this and their work should be displayed to try and pass the message. To me, being able to work in an environment like that Project Angel Heart creates is one of the most rewarding feelings. Staying on the topic of service, I'm left with a questoin to ponder: Should a citizen feel more obligated to serve his/her community, or should the community as a whole feel more obligated to serve the citizens?
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Wow! Great post Kevin! And what an interesting question to ask. I really couldn't come up with an exact answer for either side. I do believe however that both should be happening. A citizen should want to help and volunteer their time to make a difference in their community. I believe there is no greater feeling than having such self-satisfaction. Why are there people who are not volunteering their time, when it is so easy to do? And on the other hand shouldn't a community have the responsibilty of their citizens? I feel like it should be an equal balance between the two. I am very much looking forward to my time at Angel Heart and being a part of working towards that possible balance.
ReplyDeleteI feel more inspired and motivated after hearing LaKeasha speak as well! To hear how the organization really works and to know how much of the service it provides really relies on the volunteers. The question you present, Kevin, is extremely thought-provoking and heavy. I think to me the answer is very circular. In order to be a functional and close community, I think each citizen must do their part to build and strengthen their community. But in order for that to happen, I think the community must also make each citizen feel welcome and at-home. The community must care for the needs of its citizens as its citizens must contribute to their community. Project Angel Heart is a terrific resource for this circle to take place through.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Kevin in the profound messages sent by Project Angel Heart. The only thing is that their publicity level seems to be low. If I was not enrolled in this writing class I don’t think that I would ever have found out about the project. It is a really a magnificent idea. It gives everyone an opportunity to participate in the community in one-way or another. It really is crucial that we give back, even if just for two hours a week. If we think about all the hours we have in a week, asking to sacrifice just a couple to benefit the community is really not too much to ask. To answer Kevin’s question I believe it is our duty to help out, even just for a little bit. However, this does not have to be some kind of formal community service like Project Angel Heart. It could be by simply picking up someone’s garbage, recycling or holding the door upon for an elderly person. We all give back in one way or another, just some people do more than others. If we all put forth an effort it will encourage others to do so and create a domino effect having positive reflections on society as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to answer the question of whether the community should feel obligated to serve the citizen, or the citizen the community, is to realize that the citizen, the individual, comes before the community. It is only with individuals working together, and serving each other that community is created. So, if everyone feels that the community should feel obligated to serve the citizen, and no one is serving the community, no one is actually being served. Thus, I would say that in order for a balanced, productive society to emerge, the individual must feel a need to serve the community. For it is only by citizens serving the community that citizens are served.Citizens, after all, are the ones who comprise a community, and the citizen always comes first; hence, the citizen should serve first.
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking post Kevin! I feel as if every citizen has their role in a community. Some citizens have more ability to help others and others need the help of healthy citizens to survive. Citizens who are healthy should feel obligated to work to better their community. When these capable citizens help less capable citizens, the community as a whole is being served. I think when a community as a whole serves its citizens, it is actual citizens who are doing this so its as if they work hand in hand, not separately.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Kevin is trying to refer to the government when he writes ‘community as a whole.’ It is hard for the government to take care of everything and only has limited control. If we put too much pressure on the government to take care of things, we will become disappointed. Instead, citizens should feel responsible for helping solve some of the problems in their community. All the responsibility can not be left to the government.
I'm really intrigued by your question, Kevin. I don't know that there is any absolute answer to that. A community is made up of citizens, so where is the line drawn between a citizen helping the community and the community helping citizens. I think that the main difference between the two is the number of people helping or being helped. When a group of people band together to help others, it's more of a community helping a community, which is what Project Angel Heart is. I don't know that either individuals or communities helping the other is more important. They are both vital to the well being of the other.
ReplyDeleteI think it is extremely important that individuals serve their community. One of the things that makes up a strong and developed community is the amount of involvement people have in it. If a strong community is formed, it will be much more effective in serving individual citizens. I think both are important, but the first step is getting individuals involved.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways I look at Project Angel Heart as a community itself because so many people are involved. In this case, it is the individuals that make up the community. The more people that are working there, the more people they are able to help.
Kevin-
ReplyDeleteI greatly share your enthusiasm towards PAH and agree that many people in our society turn a blind eye to those around them who are less fortunate. Although many believe that the problems of others are not their responsibility, we are all part of the human race and that common trait alone should connect us and give us more compassion for others in need.
I agree that in order for a society to be successful, it's citizens and community should serve one another equally; balance is vital. It is clear to see how these obligations balance out in organizations such as Project Angel Heart. PAH serves the individuals in it's community selflessly, but there wouldn't be success without the hundreds of volunteers, donors, and other contributions that make this organization run smoothly. In the end, one must give in order to receive.
Kevin, you've posted a very thoughtful question, and given the responses it generated, it worked well with your peers. This is an important dynamic to reflect on, and one that is at the heart of this kind of work.
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