THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
The Economics of Self Help
On Saturday, June 17, I was asked to participate in the Juneteenth parade and to be a featured speaker for the festival that followed on behalf of the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, its observance as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This year’s event was organized by Eric Hackley who put great effort into expanding it into a multicultural event.
Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.
As Wayne Township Trustee, I am charged to be the caretaker for those most in need to help with their shelter, utilities, medications, and food among other things.
The economics of self-help seems so very appropriate since poverty knows no ethnicity, and by emancipating themselves from the predators that prey on the needy, then educating ourselves of all the great resources available to help, those in need can achieve self-sufficiency and in turn reach out to help others traveling the same path.
During my presentation, I asked the audience to think of an economic self-help model as a river in the wilds with beautiful gazelles cruising down it just barely keeping their head above water and trying to reach the delta at the end. At this delta were all of the food, water, and shelter needed to sustain life.
This is where they meet some of life’s many predators. They lie along the banks in wait of those straying from the mainstream and when one of them gets too close, CHOMP! They take a bite out of them and try to pull them under. Well one chomp makes them a little slower than the others and easier prey and CHOMP! and so on until they can’t keep their head above water any more.
Who are these predators, these crocodiles along the banks of the river anyway?
•Buy here pay here car lots
•Rent to own shops
•Check cashing services
•High interest credit cards
•The lottery
Now, just like with all professions, there is good and bad out there. But by and large, these, in particular, seem to have their share of the bad ones. More people needing help seem to fall prey to them than all other sources combined.
That is why education is so important, and I am very proud of all of the community resources that we have in Allen County. Anyone in need just has to call our local 211 service to find out about all of them.
Of course Wayne Township will be there to fill in the gaps and to provide more in the way of services than any other resource. We’re very thankful for all we are able to assist the community with and for the appreciation that they show.
So, the self-help economics basic course is very simple: avoid the predators, educate yourself on the resources, and achieve self sufficiency!
For now this is the ole Trustee from Wayne Township signing off until next gazelle migration.
Enjoy your summer!
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