The only true way to help is to direct people in the realization they can only help themselves. You can direct them in the right direction, though they have to learn from their own experiences. People are lazy by nature, so we tend to speak of dreams and wishes but never do anything about them. Anything worth doing takes effort.
I see it this way. If they are depending on anyone but themselves, then they are already lost. Like the saying, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” The will always expect you to take care of them, if you take care of them. Show them what they need to do, don’t do it for them. Take care.
Thank you for the reply. I appreciate connecting with you. They daily aquire new life skills and do a great job taking care of themselves. They want to be independant and they don’t ask me to do for them…they prefer doing for themselves. They do work very hard. I can say these young people are highly motivated. I see them daily work to change their stars. Most live in an isolated area without transportation…far from neighbors. Most don’t have internet or computers. There are no after school programs. No public transportation. Many parents have lost jobs…gas prices too high to drive round trips of 130 or more miles to make minimum wage. They young people get zero assistance filling out forms or with scholarship/college searches…this is one of the things we provide as well as food, shelter, tutoring, and much more. There are no youth centers/facilities/resources. Most cannot access a library. Phone calls are expensive (complicated). The only resources are those we provide or what we help them create. There are no jobs…honestly. I can explain why this is so. They and others have been offered an opportunity to be employed every summer (seasonal work/tourist area). Shelter and food is covered by a generous kindhearted person…. but we need to get them there. They are all ready to go…they want to work. They are used to hard work…bucking hay, digging ditches, fencing, pulling calves, sunrise/sunset etc. I’ve seen kids walk 20 miles to get to work 5 days a week…back when employment was available. One used to ride a bicycle to high school. Over 35 miles of steep hills one way…and a very dangerous mode of transportaion in this area. Employment is the ONLY way they will be able to get into college… they have to work and pay for it. They want educations more than just about anything. Without an education they don’t stand a chance. I’ve seen a 60.00 fee keep kids out of college. For these families, 60.00 is like asking for a million. You’d really need to have all the details to understand. Family incomes of 0 - 10,000 a year. Most families refuse any type of government assistance. Most have no medical, dental, or vision care. I’ve had them show up needing a doctor for serious illness. Recently one showed up with a broken bone, three days after the break asking what to do. I have one student who is a Junior…has never had a textbook…creative kid. Another cannot see without corrective lenses yet went through an entire year of college without…he had to get creative in order to read and it wasn’t good. Have lots of interesting stories to illustrate their motivation and creativity. Most of the kids scored a 31-36 on ACT…36 is tops. These are the types of kids that for fun, fill notebooks with calculus or do way out there problem solving as a recreational activity. They love reading but books are hard to come by. Most are brilliant in math/science. Too many details to put here. They are working very hard. They are up against a lot. Some have no family…were homeless. They never get a break. They have an opportunity to change their stars (this employment), but we can’t seem to find a large vehicle. Gas is paid for. Those we do have in college are doing quite well. Success stories. It does work. This opportunity is rare and has incredible potential. We took a few last year and it went so well we’ve been invited to bring a van load this year. The folks they worked for raved about them…hardworking, polite, task oriented, pleasant, upbeat, friendly, well mannered. The employer said it was refreshing to be around them and was uplifting for their other employees. If all goes well a bus load can go next year. Sorry for typos/grammar/disjointed reply. I’m so very exhausted. I know there is a way…I just need to connect with it.
Again, thank you for the encouragemtnt. I do appreciate it.
Sounds like you are doing an incredible work. Are these kids all in one state or county? How far do they need to be transported. If money is not the issue (we get a lot of people asking for money here), why couldn’t a bus be rented? Does your organization have a website where we could learn more?
While I’m at it, let me give you this link. It will be useful to you a some point.
http://www.sheroescentral.com/hotline…
sans-sans invited 129 users to read this post 3 months ago.
I don’t have the patience to read long posts — could you tell me in like 10 or 20 words what this is about?
You are doing great work, though you can’t put the weight of the world on your shoulders. Maybe your meant to bring these situations to a higher authority? Maybe you could help the government create a new system to help these kids improve their lives? I don’t see the answer as you working yourself to death emotionaly and otherwise. I see you finding a true solution.
Take care.
Wow.
Your story is one of the few you come across that are really inspirational.
Both what you do, but also the examples of the kids you present, are things we all can learn from.
Maybe I am not completely awake yet (actually I know that for sure), but I can’t completely grab what we can do for you.
I, and I am sure many others, are more than willing to brainstorm and see what we can do. And with a woman like you willing to take the action I am sure it can be done. Perhaps not easily, but there are always ways.
But please do take care of yourself as well.
As allready said you should empower them and perhaps give them that push to get their lifes going, but they have to do it.
You are there to provide the support.
If this is your lifework (and how you tell it, it is) than you should make sure you are able to continue doing this. Which means you have to indulge yourself every now and than and set a step aside for a moment to gain new perspective and energy.
Please be proud of yourself.
I guess you are to humble for that, but you may be proud of what you do.
‘kat.
miskat invited 19 users to read this post 3 months ago.
business-development wrote:
I don’t have the patience to read long posts — could you tell me in like 10 or 20 words what this is about?
ditto
p>I’m new here…Don’t know how to respond to each reply personally…I do appreciate you all and will check out your pages and posts. /p>
b> p>In a nutshell; /p>
p>I need to get 10 to15 rural students (ages 18-23) from point A to point B (850 miles)and eventually back to point A. /p>
p>Food, shelter, gas is paid. /b> /p>
p>If all goes well, I may be invited to bring a bus load next year…at least a van load every summer. /p>
p>One student is working his heart out trying to fix a very old van on his parent’s property (other students are helping him). A bit of a money crunch as far as parts but we are doing our best with that. Again, I am not asking for money. The employers needed the students 2 weeks ago and are waiting. /p>
Ok, first tips for help.com =)
HTML does not work in replies…
If you want to reach someone direct, you can leave a shout. Next to an username you see a few icons. One of them is a speakerthingy with a number next too it.
Click on that and you go to that persons shoutbox.
Mind that, though it is a personal shoutbox, it is for everyone possible to read.
I don’t have contacts local, I am in Europe but would be willing to check some things out for you, after all, the students have to get there asap.
Odd question perhaps, but public transport? Is that not an option?
Try contacting Oxfam they are a charity in Britain that could possibly help you.
Have you checked with a bus charter company to find out their rates?
[quote Rural DoveI need to get 10 to15 rural students (ages 18-23) from point A to point B (850 miles)and eventually back to point A.
Food, shelter, gas is paid.[/quote]
So does this mean you want 1 vehicle or several vehicles? A driver? And where is A and where is B?
Fizz makes a straightforward suggestion — have you tried that?
You are gonna get them there baby:)! I have faith in you:)!!!!!!!
Ah, now I understand better on your dilemma. Try this site. I think this can help you out. http://www.freegrantkit.net/Governmen….
I had heard of this on the news at one point, so I’m pretty sure it’s legit.
Take care.
Fizz wrote:
Have you checked with a bus charter company to find out their rates?
Called all over the southern half of our state. Also checked with private contractors. Had a couple buses offered to us…$1,500 - 60 passenger. It would be awesome to transport 60 but I think a more realistic number would be 20 -30…A Micro Bus!…or a 15 passenger van.
SoulRising wrote:
You are gonna get them there baby:)! I have faith in you:)!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!! **SMILE** Gotta just believe…and know! …and it helps to work one’s tail off.
Rural,
Can you tell me if you only need a vehicle or if you also need someone to drive it?
I don’t know a thing about miles, let alone driving (used to the metric system and no drivers license), so how long would this journey take?
Can the journey take place at any moment or are there limitations?
Please provide us with the practical information.
Who knows if someone here knows someone near you that could offer practical help.
First, i want to thank everyone for the responses and encouragement. It means a lot to me.
Update; The parents of one of the young people had an old van sitting on their property…not used in 5 years. Several of the young people have been working hard to fix it. They have it running and we’ve put new tires on it. If all goes well insurance/title will be done in the morning. Send some good thoughts, energy, prayer…
I do appreciate everyone here!
See you had everything you needed in your own back garden. Fate does provide. =)
I applaud Rural Dove for who she is.
And I applaud the youngsters for embracing their lives.
Woot, woot, I applaud Rural Dove for not being a scam artist! Yah Rural Dove!
Fantastic! Sorry, we couldn’t be more helpful.
Hey Dove, at least now you have some wacky friends to bounce ideas off of, and we’ve got a saint!
Yeah and we need all the saints we can get…lol
I have just spoken to Rural Dove.
They are heading to their destination tomorrow! =)
We got a saint here?
miskat wrote:
We got a saint here?
A saint, a mensch, someone doing the good work, like the Peace Corps but without the publicity.
RuralDove closed this post.
This post has been closed, no more replies. Thanks!
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