Welcome to our guest blogger, Lori Caterinicchio, our United Way agency relations coordinator.
Image from thepurplejournal.wordpress.com
When I went through my training to become a yoga instructor, I was told to love all beings, that we are all the same and all connected. I could not accept that, I thought how could I love someone I do not even know or like? I believed the trainers were lying when they said they loved everyone. These thoughts swam around in my head for quite some time.
When I think of loving someone I think of relationships, be it a parent/child, husband/wife, partner or friends. I sat down one afternoon with a co-worker who is very involved with his church and has gone on several retreats. He said to me “I don’t know the people in Africa, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to them. I love them”.
I don’t want anything bad to happen to anyone either but that doesn’t mean I love them, does it? I care, is that love?
No matter where you stand on this issue, I think we can all agree that most of us do not want bad things to happen to anyone. But every day we know people are being hurt in one way or another. That is why we need a safety net in our community….. to catch those who are hurt or fallen.
Our 78 United Way of the Greater Triangle partner agencies work together within their communities to keep that safety net intact…to catch me, you, our neighbors when bad things happen. And things do happen, every day. We never think it will be us or our loved ones but it happens.
We need your help to keep this net strong. It has been shrinking while its load has increased. Last year was the third year in a row that eight in 10 households served at the Salvation Army of Durham were seeking assistance for the first time. And 80% of those requesting assistance were there due to job loss or long-term unemployment - a result of the current economy.
Resources for Seniors in Wake County served 35,810 clients in 2011, assisting our older population and helping them maintain independence. Orange Congregations in Mission served 639 new households with their Samaritan Relief Ministry, providing emergency food, clothes, shelter and financial assistance for utilities, rent and medication to the citizens of northern Orange County. Harbor Inc. in Johnston County provides services to victims of domestic violence and served 865 individuals through their court assistance program.
This is why we need to think about others outside of our home and inner circle, to keep that net of love strong in our community, so it will always be there to catch those who need it the most. Someday it might be you. We all want someone to care.
Great article Lori!