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Does Free Food Come at a Price?
Check out this entry among others on The Kathleen Show Blog for Prevention Not Prescription Tuesdays starting 3/9/10
In my current work, one of my jobs is in the area of Food Security. Part of our work involves connecting with food banks across the state and looking at ways to increase access to food from our pantries as well as to government support through food assistance programs. A question has arisen along the way: Why would such a significant portion of our population NOT seek out food assistance if they were in fact eligible?
That's where this question comes into play. Imagine a single mother with four children who works two minimum wage jobs and still can't make ends meet. She's eligible for food assistance and many other government services. However, in order for her to enroll in food assistance, she'll have to either find a way to leave work on a break or take a few hours off to go down to the local human services office. She has to use the little amount of gas she has left in her tank that she needs to get to work, drop off and pick up her kids the next day and chances are she will have to return to the office at least twice to meet with her caseworker, bring back any required documents that she didn't know she needed and possibly find out that she may only qualify for less than $50 a month. Initially, that may be the amount of money she's lost from trying to enroll in the first place.
Here's another side to it: She has a limited budget and can get food from the local pantry once a month. However, all of the foods that she gets at the pantry and can afford to buy, are processed, full of additives and she can't resist a good deal on high sugar, fat and salt foods that are at the lowest prices. She's been eating this type of food since she was raised by a single mother, now she's over weight, her stress level is constantly high, which contributes to her high blood pressure, high cholesterol and she is pre diabetic. All of her children are over weight. Even though they are on the free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs at school. This is the price that a person in poverty pays who works hard to make ends meet and can get free food for herself and her children.
Why can't she buy whole grains, fresh produce and meats and learn how to cook healthy foods like everyone else who wants to be healthy? Before we even go there, let's ask: how is it that she's going to make sure there is food on the table for her family each week? People who can't find a consistent source of food can't think about how to "eat healthy." Secondly, what if the only grocery store in the neighborhood that is within a reasonable walking or driving distance is a liquor store that luckily has bread milk and eggs in addition to all the other processed food they carry.
This is the access issue that makes a significant portion of our population pay a huge price for food that is otherwise free or affordable. Our society cannot afford this. We cannot afford to carry on generations that have very little or no way of knowing how it is possible to create a healthy and balanced diet. Our government, community agencies and philantropic organizations must continue to think strategically and realistically about how to address this. We as community members must act by considering ways that we can get fresh and healthy food into the hands of those who are struggling and accept the reality of how impractical some of our own strategies to stay healthy and well are for others. Just because it's free doesn't mean its worth the price that many pay to get it and the negative impact they experience from continued access to it. Take a moment to complete the survey below and comment with your feedback.
In my current work, one of my jobs is in the area of Food Security. Part of our work involves connecting with food banks across the state and looking at ways to increase access to food from our pantries as well as to government support through food assistance programs. A question has arisen along the way: Why would such a significant portion of our population NOT seek out food assistance if they were in fact eligible?
That's where this question comes into play. Imagine a single mother with four children who works two minimum wage jobs and still can't make ends meet. She's eligible for food assistance and many other government services. However, in order for her to enroll in food assistance, she'll have to either find a way to leave work on a break or take a few hours off to go down to the local human services office. She has to use the little amount of gas she has left in her tank that she needs to get to work, drop off and pick up her kids the next day and chances are she will have to return to the office at least twice to meet with her caseworker, bring back any required documents that she didn't know she needed and possibly find out that she may only qualify for less than $50 a month. Initially, that may be the amount of money she's lost from trying to enroll in the first place.
Here's another side to it: She has a limited budget and can get food from the local pantry once a month. However, all of the foods that she gets at the pantry and can afford to buy, are processed, full of additives and she can't resist a good deal on high sugar, fat and salt foods that are at the lowest prices. She's been eating this type of food since she was raised by a single mother, now she's over weight, her stress level is constantly high, which contributes to her high blood pressure, high cholesterol and she is pre diabetic. All of her children are over weight. Even though they are on the free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs at school. This is the price that a person in poverty pays who works hard to make ends meet and can get free food for herself and her children.
Why can't she buy whole grains, fresh produce and meats and learn how to cook healthy foods like everyone else who wants to be healthy? Before we even go there, let's ask: how is it that she's going to make sure there is food on the table for her family each week? People who can't find a consistent source of food can't think about how to "eat healthy." Secondly, what if the only grocery store in the neighborhood that is within a reasonable walking or driving distance is a liquor store that luckily has bread milk and eggs in addition to all the other processed food they carry.
This is the access issue that makes a significant portion of our population pay a huge price for food that is otherwise free or affordable. Our society cannot afford this. We cannot afford to carry on generations that have very little or no way of knowing how it is possible to create a healthy and balanced diet. Our government, community agencies and philantropic organizations must continue to think strategically and realistically about how to address this. We as community members must act by considering ways that we can get fresh and healthy food into the hands of those who are struggling and accept the reality of how impractical some of our own strategies to stay healthy and well are for others. Just because it's free doesn't mean its worth the price that many pay to get it and the negative impact they experience from continued access to it. Take a moment to complete the survey below and comment with your feedback.
Irony of Athleticism
Here's the first entry of 2010 also featured on The Kathleen Show Blog Prevention Not Prescriptions Tuesday
It's been a while since I've written an entry and guess what inspired me? A Mc Donald's commercial. What started my thinking? A Taco Bell commercial. The common thread between these two is that they were sponsored by major international athletic organizations and featured a world famous athlete. Who were they? The US Olympics sponsored a Mc Donald's commercial who are also an official sponsor of the Canadian games and Charles Barkley was in a Taco Bell commercial for a $5 meal sponsored by the NBA. The point here is that these organizations are supporting industries that contribute to obesity and chronic disease problems here in the US and around the globe.
In my opinion, not only does this present a clear contradiction, it also shows that money as the bottom line, over rules the crucial role that the athletic industry plays as an influence on the health decisions of their admirers. Will these commercials actually cause many fans who are athletes themselves to go out and get fast food and gradually become unhealthy? Probably not, but what they can do is discourage people from talking to young athletes about the dangers of fast food and the importance of making healthy decisions in relation to your diet and exercise. What really matters, is that it continues to reinforce messages to children and those who already consume unhealthy amounts of fast food that it's good for you in some way or another.
So, what does this say about our society and what can we do about it? These particular instances speak to the socio-economic and health issues that have held our country back in pursuit of global domination. Beginning in the eighty's and over a 25+ year time frame, we have continually sacrificed ethics for the bottom line. Not only has this damaged the health and wealth of millions of Americans, it has caused our economy to crash and ultimately the value of the US Dollar has declined. What about the industry perspective for athletic corporations? As Tiger Woods said in his most recent statement to the public "I thought the rules did not apply to me," when corporations that also influence the health decisions of our society display a disregard for particular ethical standards, they are depicting a clear message as to where their priorities lie.
Finally, what can we do? In the broader sense, we can work to redefine the true meaning of wealth and success. For example, we can emphasize the importance of demonstrating that wealth is a measure of the ability to give back and that success is the obligation to uphold reasonable ethical standards. Many corporations and successful athletes do give back to the community. However, we must recognize that negative actions can often outweigh the positive. What we can do as individuals and communities is to speak out against corporations who engage in practices which contradict the principles that they claim to stand by. Most importantly, we can educate and empower our future generations by encouraging them to make their health and well being a priority and to challenge some of the messages they receive from popular media. We have the great privilege of living in a society that is free to challenge our power structures and thus it is our own personal obligation to exercise those rights. Just as we should stay physically active to maintain our health, we should be civically engaged to maintain a true and meaningful definition of freedom and wealth.
It's been a while since I've written an entry and guess what inspired me? A Mc Donald's commercial. What started my thinking? A Taco Bell commercial. The common thread between these two is that they were sponsored by major international athletic organizations and featured a world famous athlete. Who were they? The US Olympics sponsored a Mc Donald's commercial who are also an official sponsor of the Canadian games and Charles Barkley was in a Taco Bell commercial for a $5 meal sponsored by the NBA. The point here is that these organizations are supporting industries that contribute to obesity and chronic disease problems here in the US and around the globe.
In my opinion, not only does this present a clear contradiction, it also shows that money as the bottom line, over rules the crucial role that the athletic industry plays as an influence on the health decisions of their admirers. Will these commercials actually cause many fans who are athletes themselves to go out and get fast food and gradually become unhealthy? Probably not, but what they can do is discourage people from talking to young athletes about the dangers of fast food and the importance of making healthy decisions in relation to your diet and exercise. What really matters, is that it continues to reinforce messages to children and those who already consume unhealthy amounts of fast food that it's good for you in some way or another.
So, what does this say about our society and what can we do about it? These particular instances speak to the socio-economic and health issues that have held our country back in pursuit of global domination. Beginning in the eighty's and over a 25+ year time frame, we have continually sacrificed ethics for the bottom line. Not only has this damaged the health and wealth of millions of Americans, it has caused our economy to crash and ultimately the value of the US Dollar has declined. What about the industry perspective for athletic corporations? As Tiger Woods said in his most recent statement to the public "I thought the rules did not apply to me," when corporations that also influence the health decisions of our society display a disregard for particular ethical standards, they are depicting a clear message as to where their priorities lie.
Finally, what can we do? In the broader sense, we can work to redefine the true meaning of wealth and success. For example, we can emphasize the importance of demonstrating that wealth is a measure of the ability to give back and that success is the obligation to uphold reasonable ethical standards. Many corporations and successful athletes do give back to the community. However, we must recognize that negative actions can often outweigh the positive. What we can do as individuals and communities is to speak out against corporations who engage in practices which contradict the principles that they claim to stand by. Most importantly, we can educate and empower our future generations by encouraging them to make their health and well being a priority and to challenge some of the messages they receive from popular media. We have the great privilege of living in a society that is free to challenge our power structures and thus it is our own personal obligation to exercise those rights. Just as we should stay physically active to maintain our health, we should be civically engaged to maintain a true and meaningful definition of freedom and wealth.
There's Prevention in Our Roots
This was one of our first entries defining prevention in the public health context and we were asked to make a submission by the Kathleen Show as a part of their Prevention not Prescriptions new weekly program. So, as we dig back into the root causes of our work, here's prevention for you:
The first issue I'd like to discuss is about Prevention. Public Health in its core aspects involves assessing, planning and developing infrastructure, resources and materials to improve the health of a population.
As professionals we are not primarily clinicians, we are in many ways administrators, organizers and educators. Given this, in order to accomplish our goals we must utilize this role effectively by focusing primarily on prevention. As a public health professional I ask: what is the problem, the extent of the problem, it's nature and how can it be resolved, prevented or it's negative impacts reduced?
This is what I believe defines prevention. However, it's not that simple, prevention isn't just about investigating a problem and either eliminating it or reducing it's impact. In the context of health and infrastructure it is about environmental change. This may mean changes in systems, methods of delivery, increased access to essential resources and more efficient service delivery. Thus, it requires change on many levels.
I decided to discuss this issue, because as an alcohol prevention specialist I often run into many different interpretations of this type of prevention. As I mentioned earlier we are not primarily clinicians, however the disease of alcoholism like many other health indicators is clinical and can be treated. Yet, just as prevention is not education only, treatment is not the only way to solve the problem. For those in education, prevention is the primary vehicle for delivering health messages in their setting, treatment's contextualization is in providing resources to resolve, subside or reduce negative health impacts.
The point here is that prevention involves both education and treatment in terms of increasing access and efficiency of health resources. So, when we explain the concept of a comprehensive approach, this is what we mean. I'm the coordinator and collaborator, educators are my partners to explain the problem and provide instruction for prevention, clincians are my partners for delivery of accessible and effective care. The institutional structure is the basis for bringing these two entities together and the population itself are the vehicles of change. Given this, I prefer not to tell people what prevention is, instead I'd like to work with people to see what it is, their role, and how their work with others put together the pieces of the puzzle.
The first issue I'd like to discuss is about Prevention. Public Health in its core aspects involves assessing, planning and developing infrastructure, resources and materials to improve the health of a population.
As professionals we are not primarily clinicians, we are in many ways administrators, organizers and educators. Given this, in order to accomplish our goals we must utilize this role effectively by focusing primarily on prevention. As a public health professional I ask: what is the problem, the extent of the problem, it's nature and how can it be resolved, prevented or it's negative impacts reduced?
This is what I believe defines prevention. However, it's not that simple, prevention isn't just about investigating a problem and either eliminating it or reducing it's impact. In the context of health and infrastructure it is about environmental change. This may mean changes in systems, methods of delivery, increased access to essential resources and more efficient service delivery. Thus, it requires change on many levels.
I decided to discuss this issue, because as an alcohol prevention specialist I often run into many different interpretations of this type of prevention. As I mentioned earlier we are not primarily clinicians, however the disease of alcoholism like many other health indicators is clinical and can be treated. Yet, just as prevention is not education only, treatment is not the only way to solve the problem. For those in education, prevention is the primary vehicle for delivering health messages in their setting, treatment's contextualization is in providing resources to resolve, subside or reduce negative health impacts.
The point here is that prevention involves both education and treatment in terms of increasing access and efficiency of health resources. So, when we explain the concept of a comprehensive approach, this is what we mean. I'm the coordinator and collaborator, educators are my partners to explain the problem and provide instruction for prevention, clincians are my partners for delivery of accessible and effective care. The institutional structure is the basis for bringing these two entities together and the population itself are the vehicles of change. Given this, I prefer not to tell people what prevention is, instead I'd like to work with people to see what it is, their role, and how their work with others put together the pieces of the puzzle.
Immigration Real Talk
Download | Duration: 00:00:00
This week we're talking about immigration, the real issues, while discussing facts and potential solutions. In the past we've talked about the health, political and cultural context of US Mexico border issues and the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Our discussions have centered around the political and economic impact and perspectives from these situations while maintaining an emphasis on prevention, politics and today's culture. Our last presidential campaign, the War in Iraq or WWIII and ongoing issues on this topic provide a platform for discussion. However, we must remind ourselves that this issue has been in existence throughout human history and our ability to engage in honest debate, often depends on the political climate. Now is the time. Yet, we shall not forget yesterday when we speak of today and we should do our best to recognize others when we look towards the future.
Prevention: What is it Really?
Download | Duration: 00:10:02
This week we're talking about prevention and our goal is to have a better sense of how others define it and in what context do they feel it is a necessary or essential tool. We'll start with a quote from an original entry that we wrote in February on prevention:
"We must examine why some communities have greater access to resources than others and how our political and geographical landscape can address these gaps. In order to achieve our goal of improving health we must look towards the future by examining where we need to change the present."
You can find this and other original blog entries on prevention here: http://blog.spicersconsulting.com/page/4.aspx
Take a listen to this new entry, look back at others related to the American culture, food, health, healthcare, economy, drugs and other issues, all discussed with an emphasis on prevention.
Human Rights: What's the Big Idea?
Download | Duration: 00:10:02
This week we're talking about human rights. It's a relevant issue given that President Obama spoke at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner this past Satruday, October 12th and much attention has been brought to the issue of marriage equality over the past few years. However, we must consider the context within the nations and communities that we are discussing these issues. Marriage equality and gay rights brings up a moral debate over religious and social beliefs. Yet, human rights emphasizes the importancy of acknowledging that people should have equal access to resources regardless of who they are and in order to live safely and comfortably. Issues that are most paramount in other countries relate to someone's ability to live, work or thrive in their community regardless of who they are and we often think about death, starvation and persecution that need attention. In the US we are afforded many rights and because of this we should consider how all citizens should have equal access given that we all want to live happy and healthy lives for ourselves, our family and for future generations.
Global Health: What is it and Why Should We Know About it?
Download | Duration: 00:00:00
To start off this week's topic of global health we decided to do a weekly blog entry with a newly initiated pod cast to go along with it. This podcast is an introduction to global health as an emerging field in the professional arena. In this written entry I'll talk about some of the current events and emerging issues that are relevant here. Many have seen coverage of President Obama hosting a UN convocation where the long time Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi spoke for the first time in about 40 years, going on for nearly 1.5 hrs. of which many interpreted as an odd and perplexing speech. Gadhafi even had trouble finding a place where he would be allowed to set up his traditional tent, near UN headquarters in New York. Iranian President Ahmadinejad spoke as well in his usual fashion and we watched assembly members walk out during his time at the podium. Obama and Secretary General Ban Ki Moon lead the way with their collegial, clear and focused efforts to host this event and address some of the key challenges our nations currenlty face. Following this was the G20 summit, hosted in Philidelphia which brought much coverage on how this City has shifted from an industrial town with significant environmental hazards to a green economy. A few current events in brief and we welcome your votes on this post, commentary and additional insights. Check our Facebook fan page for more global health insights throughout the week: http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=243685945234#/pages/Spicers-Consulting/243685945234
A Teachable Moment
Much has happened in the weeks since my last entry. We continued to memorialize Michael Jackson after I wrote about this case of a another celebrity succumbing to the price of fame. The push for healthcare then dominated the political news and now this week, we focus on the issue of race. I have dedicated much time in my community over the past 8 months, engaging in efforts to advocate for social justice and inclusion. In doing work professionally on prevention and public health issues, I know that our communities do not really begin to focus on many serious issues until a tragedy or controversial event reaches the public's attention. In this case we are now focusing on racial profiling among law enforcement and the impact it has had on communities of color. After the arrest of African American Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates at his home in Cambridge Masschussets, the continued friction between law enforcement and communities of color ensued. Obama was compelled to clarify his remark saying that the Cambridge Police acted stupidly by calling it a "teachable moment." What does this mean? I feel it emphasizes the need to learn from our history and acknowledge that problems exist, contributing to both parties on either side to over react; highlighting that this still remains a systemic issue.
What do we do from here? My hope is that once this issue dies down in the media, we will not just return back to how things were. In the fight for policy reform, advocates can take advantage of situations like this to mobilize the community and facilitate action. How can we do this? We must engage in dialogue. On the local level, law enforcement and their constituents should come together to share view points and make reccomendations for action. These reccomendations must then go to local leaders and produce a proposal for institutional change. Continued acknowledgement that this is a subject of concern and we must examine how the past has impacted the present, is the basis for a need to do something.
Obama was criticized for commenting on what was said to be a local issue. However, what he shed light on is that a local issue allowed this country to reflect on a national problem. Thus in moving forward, we must bring the work back to the local level and continue to share within and between communities, the change that we are implementing in our own back yards. Systemic and institutional change will take much time, yet we can use the strategies mentioned above over the long term. A community forum and recommendations for action are starting points that will transfer this work into our existing structures on the local level. This topic of interest can become a priority on our boards, councils, city governments and grass roots organizing movements. As we all learned from the eight years past, unless we exercise our freedom to speak and act, we cannot see the change we know we want that is based upon problems from yesterday persisting today.
What do we do from here? My hope is that once this issue dies down in the media, we will not just return back to how things were. In the fight for policy reform, advocates can take advantage of situations like this to mobilize the community and facilitate action. How can we do this? We must engage in dialogue. On the local level, law enforcement and their constituents should come together to share view points and make reccomendations for action. These reccomendations must then go to local leaders and produce a proposal for institutional change. Continued acknowledgement that this is a subject of concern and we must examine how the past has impacted the present, is the basis for a need to do something.
Obama was criticized for commenting on what was said to be a local issue. However, what he shed light on is that a local issue allowed this country to reflect on a national problem. Thus in moving forward, we must bring the work back to the local level and continue to share within and between communities, the change that we are implementing in our own back yards. Systemic and institutional change will take much time, yet we can use the strategies mentioned above over the long term. A community forum and recommendations for action are starting points that will transfer this work into our existing structures on the local level. This topic of interest can become a priority on our boards, councils, city governments and grass roots organizing movements. As we all learned from the eight years past, unless we exercise our freedom to speak and act, we cannot see the change we know we want that is based upon problems from yesterday persisting today.
Price of Fame American Phenomenon
Just when I thought I've ran out of things to blog about, the news reports start rolling in. Not only in my life but on the national and international spotlight. In a short span we lost three American icons: Farah Fawcett, Ed McMan and Michael Jackson. On the international front, the uprising in Iran faded as the Obama administration made it's first declaration of war i.e. combat troupes in Afghanistan. In this post I'd like to write more specifically about what happened to Michael Jackson having died after being administered a drug that was only meant for operating rooms and how I connect with the pressure to succeed in this country. Many speak of the price of fame and I think in many ways this expectation and its potential harm is a common thread in our culture.
Personally, I think about how I need to make a name for myself, get a good paying job and raise a family. However, as I've begun my career I've realized a lot of things. In today's society havig a bachelor's degree is not enough for a good paying job, yet having worked since you were 16 isn't evidence enough of quality work experience. When I consider how hard I've worked and how on either side of me, those with more money get further and those with much less money are stuck. Often we talk about street smarts vs. book smarts, and ultimately in many ways money is the underlying factor. However, when we talk about health it becomes clear that what's on the surface is in most cases not a predictor of an invidual's ability to live healthy. Everyone is different yet, we all share very similar genetic make up.
What's my point? The point is that as an individual with a unique experience and outlook on life, you have the power to decide how you use the resources you are given to make what you want and keep what you've earned. Yet, we live in a country where those with power, money and fame are reverred. This is an unrealistic tenant to think that most Americans or even humans should strive for this. In our nation's history, we have chosen to measure power and success by what's on the surface and we are now paying the price. The choice-in the context of our three most recent celebrity deaths- is to use power as a tool to educate, use it as a tool to entertain or allow it to get the best of us. Thus we must recognized that many do not have the power to choose, but everyone has the power to be and in that simple term there is a lot of room for interpretation.
Personally, I think about how I need to make a name for myself, get a good paying job and raise a family. However, as I've begun my career I've realized a lot of things. In today's society havig a bachelor's degree is not enough for a good paying job, yet having worked since you were 16 isn't evidence enough of quality work experience. When I consider how hard I've worked and how on either side of me, those with more money get further and those with much less money are stuck. Often we talk about street smarts vs. book smarts, and ultimately in many ways money is the underlying factor. However, when we talk about health it becomes clear that what's on the surface is in most cases not a predictor of an invidual's ability to live healthy. Everyone is different yet, we all share very similar genetic make up.
What's my point? The point is that as an individual with a unique experience and outlook on life, you have the power to decide how you use the resources you are given to make what you want and keep what you've earned. Yet, we live in a country where those with power, money and fame are reverred. This is an unrealistic tenant to think that most Americans or even humans should strive for this. In our nation's history, we have chosen to measure power and success by what's on the surface and we are now paying the price. The choice-in the context of our three most recent celebrity deaths- is to use power as a tool to educate, use it as a tool to entertain or allow it to get the best of us. Thus we must recognized that many do not have the power to choose, but everyone has the power to be and in that simple term there is a lot of room for interpretation.
Meeting an Unmet Need
I facilitated a meeting today just after finding out that my University did not get a large federal grant which I had worked hard to lead the process of submitting. As we moved forward with identifying how we would find additional resources to provide our students with support to reinforce healthy behavior choices-thus improving their academic, individual and personal success- one of the folks at the meeting said: "We just need to communicate to the administration that the importance of investing in this is based on an unmet need" I responded by saying "can you say that to our Vice President for me?" In addition to that,I sat in on a conference call among Universities across Michigan to consider applying for another similar federal grant to form a statewide coalition. Later in the day I went with a student to local bars and liquor stores to provide information and resources on responsible alcohol sales and service.
This is just one day in my life, where the work I do as a health educator and youth advocate reinforces what our society, American citizens and our institutions should, are and will think about every day: Unmet needs. So, how are they met? Well, maybe it depends on who you ask, how you ask or what your needs are. That's what we all want to know: what is the need? How do we address it? Will our way of doing so be effective? Finally and most importantly now in the world of grants, program management and development: How can we evaluate it?
Saturday, June 27th will mark National Healthcare Day of Service. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hcserviceattend
Individuals involved with Organizing for America will be participating in events across the country to bring attention to the need for national healthcare reform. Four events are happening in the City where I live and I had a chance to attend the meeting where we talked about planning for this event. Everyone has an agenda, thinks particular needs are important based on their personal and professional experience, but what does this event do? It brings people together to focus on one goal we can all relate to: healthcare.
Let me conclude by going back to what I started out with. We can work together to identify a common goal, but as we all know resources- human and fiscal- put it into place. At the end of my day I sat with 3 other healthcare professionals where we spoke to high school students of color, and emphasized that whatever you do, don't give up. The unmet need to live as in continuing life's journey, can hopefully drive many and encourage most to keep on giving.
This is just one day in my life, where the work I do as a health educator and youth advocate reinforces what our society, American citizens and our institutions should, are and will think about every day: Unmet needs. So, how are they met? Well, maybe it depends on who you ask, how you ask or what your needs are. That's what we all want to know: what is the need? How do we address it? Will our way of doing so be effective? Finally and most importantly now in the world of grants, program management and development: How can we evaluate it?
Saturday, June 27th will mark National Healthcare Day of Service. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hcserviceattend
Individuals involved with Organizing for America will be participating in events across the country to bring attention to the need for national healthcare reform. Four events are happening in the City where I live and I had a chance to attend the meeting where we talked about planning for this event. Everyone has an agenda, thinks particular needs are important based on their personal and professional experience, but what does this event do? It brings people together to focus on one goal we can all relate to: healthcare.
Let me conclude by going back to what I started out with. We can work together to identify a common goal, but as we all know resources- human and fiscal- put it into place. At the end of my day I sat with 3 other healthcare professionals where we spoke to high school students of color, and emphasized that whatever you do, don't give up. The unmet need to live as in continuing life's journey, can hopefully drive many and encourage most to keep on giving.
