by Connie Bach, PHJC, member of CLDP Cohort 10
In the freezing winter of 2021, we began the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Volunteer Program’s Food Ministry in Plymouth IN. We started with a simple dream of helping to feed those who were living in two run down hotels in the local city nearest our Motherhouse. As we got to know the residents, we soon discovered there were many more needs than just food. Before we knew it, we were responding with diapers, baby items, winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, work clothes, unaffordable medications, gas, bus passes and the like. Most needed rent and work – along with a little push to dream again!
Poverty is not a unique situation to Plymouth. The unemployment rate of the State of Indiana in August 2024 stood at 4.2%. The effects of unemployment on families include reduced disposable income, loss of financial security, strained and sometimes abusive relationships, increased susceptibility to health problems, dependency on government welfare programs, and the loss of an ability to dream while just trying to survive day-to-day.
The profound impact on children is even more staggering. Child food poverty harms all children, but it is particularly damaging in early childhood when insufficient dietary intake of essential nutrients can cause the greatest harm to child survival, physical growth and cognitive development. The consequences can last a lifetime.
How can we, as women religious and transformative leaders, bring a dynamic energy to helping others dream an emergent future? One person at a time with care, respect, engagement, compassion and yes, dreaming. Volunteers providing groceries and other necessities help. Safety net programs also assist people in weathering a variety of economic crises while seeking stability. But dreaming – ah! This is really where transformation begins!
Sometimes we have to pull dreams out of people, including ourselves. We cannot see the emergent future for ourselves beyond the need to get through a single day at a time. But by helping all of us see a future of what could be sets us on a path toward recovery, rehabilitation, self-compassion and a sense of self-worth.
It starts with a knock at the door, a friendly greeting and warm smile, and relationship building - helping to build trust, knowing that we are here for each other week in and week out. It is living gospel values and leading by example. It is sitting with, listening, encouraging, and helping folks to dream again about a future filled with hope until they can envision a better life and begin to reach out to attain it. Then it takes support and celebration for all the small steps along the way!
Matthew 25: ”For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
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