Tag: huffpost

I Don’t Want to Be Homeless

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What has America gotten itself into? Just about every state and every city is cutting back funding to services needed by those who need it most.

The Chicago Reporter published the headline this week, “Temperatures dropping. Will the state restore funding for homeless shelters?” It goes on to report that the 2012 budget was cut 52% for homeless-prevention services. This cut is on top of the fact that more people were turned away from homeless shelters in Chicago last year than were taken in.

The Citizens Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., also reported this week, “Funding cuts continue to hamper women’s shelter,” citing a 20% cut in funding from federal, state, county and city sources. Channel 12 News in Ardmore, Okla., reported […], “Overcrowded shelters are forced to leave some out in the cold.” This tragedy is happening from big cities to small-town America. [O]n top of all this bad news, USA Today reports that military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans.

What is causing this disaster? Obviously, the down economy and the housing crisis forced numerous families out of their homes and into the streets. During the summer, they can live out of their cars, but as winter settles in, sleeping outside or in your car is not an option anymore. [Currently], 15.1% of people nationwide are living in poverty.

As more people become poor, more people become increasingly at risk for homelessness. Add to this the shrinking availability of real affordable housing, and you have a classic case of Economics 101, where there is an increase in demand for shelters and a decrease in supply because of all the funding cutbacks.

Our homeless population is not only made up of those caught in these troubling economic times caused by losing their jobs and their homes, [but also] victims of domestic violence, people suffering from physical illness or mental illness, people addicted to drugs and alcohol, kids caught up in the transition from youth into adulthood, and people who have exhausted their personal relationships the same way other people exhaust their financial resources.

The kind and caring people involved in these shelters are not heartless. When they run out of beds, they let people and their children sleep on the floor, [s]o donations of pillows and blankets are always needed.

What can the average person do to help in this situation? Obviously, you can donate money or much-needed supplies to your local shelter. My company, DollarDays, is giving away a total of $5,000 in supplies to 13 different homeless shelters in a sweepstakes on our Facebook page.

Make sure you enter your local shelter into this. You can also volunteer in your local shelter to help with the food serving or keeping it clean or becoming a friendly face to comfort those in need. If you see homeless people in need, offer them a coat or food. Direct acts of kindness are what this country is built on, and for those who can spare a coat, it is the right thing to do.

This economic calamity we have backed ourselves into is not going away tomorrow. Neither is the crisis that has forced so many people to give up their lives and rely on others for help. Winter is coming, and we just can’t let Americans who pledge allegiance to the same flag as we do suffer without having the basic need of shelter.

Don’t let this suffering continue in your town. Since our government can’t afford to help our fellow man, you do it. Volunteer and give something back—give some cash and give some clothing to your local shelter. We, as Americans, who have kindness and caring built into the fabric of our society, can make a difference.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/fight-against-homelessness_b_1077169.html

The Best Therapist You Ever Met

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October is “Adopt-a-Pet-Shelter Month,” and, as far as I am concerned, we should be celebrating this every month of the year. According to the Humane Society, animal shelters care for up to eight million dogs and cats every year and euthanize around four million animals. Today, there are more than 135 million dogs and cats in our homes. Back in the 1970s, when there were just 67 million pets, over 12 million dogs and cats were euthanized a year, so, in a sense, our society has come a long way in caring for our animals.

All of our local shelters do their best in trying to get these defenseless animals a home. As was reported in the Bandera Bulletin this week, “Saturday turned out to be another great day for adoptions in Old Town Helotes, where nine dogs and puppies found new homes.” Publications like Philadelphia’s PhillyBurbs.com continually promote local animals available for adoption. They even suggest that if you can’t adopt one yourself, be a good citizen and “support local shelters by putting together care packages, which could include baked goods for the volunteers, blankets and toys for the pets, and pet food items for the shelters’ supplies.”

[D]on’t forget the Red Star Animal Emergency Relief effort that was reported on recently in The Huffington Post. This part of the American Humane Association helps animals in disaster events like the Minot, N.D., flood this summer and the Joplin, Mo., tornado last spring.

There are plenty of Americans who don’t have pets and don’t understand how important a companion these pets can become. Pets are also teachers helping humans of all ages learn about loyalty, responsibility, empathy, sharing and unconditional love. Kindness to animals can rub off and teach us to be kinder to our fellow man and woman. If you are elderly, a pet can offer you hope, because being responsible for another life can add new meaning to your life.

Every American should give thought during this special month for pets on how they can help their local shelter. My company, DollarDays, is giving away $5,000 in supplies to shelters on our Facebook page. If you have a favorite shelter, make sure you nominate them to win. If you don’t have a favorite shelter, support them all by donating to one of the national organizations helping animals.

During these tough economic times, it is quite difficult to help the humans who need us, let alone the animals that need us, [s]o if you can’t support this cause financially, volunteer at your local shelter. These animals need a friend as much as you do, even though pets offer us much more in return than we give them. They can help us learn more about love and friendship than we can teach them. Just a few hours with a pet can improve our emotional health. These animals may be the best therapist you have ever met.

Original article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/the-best-therapist-you-ev_b_999272.html

Build It & They Will Learn

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Last week the White House released their American Jobs Act proposal. Two ideas that caught my eye [were] preventing up to 280,000 teacher layoffs and modernizing at least 35,000 public schools by supporting new science labs, Internet-ready classrooms, and renovations at schools across the country in [both] rural and urban areas. No matter what your political outlook is on life, these are two parts of the act that all Americans must agree our society needs to keep our country moving forward in this highly competitive world.

I heard on NPR this morning that there is now a one-in-three chance this country is heading back into recession. None of us can afford that. Whether you are working at a small business, a large business, a nonprofit organization or for the government, we all need jobs to pay the rent. The Wall Street Journal recently said, “[T]he global economic recovery has stalled.” As […] noted by ABC News today, President Obama says his initiative will help put to work the “more than one million unemployed construction workers ready to get dirty right now.” What sensible American can argue with that? We need to stack the deck on immediate job creation to improve our odds of staying out of another recession.

I was pleased to see yesterday in The New York Times that the White House honored its pledge to speed up government payments to small-business contractors, reducing the payment time from 30 days to 15 days. This small gesture in itself helps create jobs because it frees up cash. These are the little things government can do to keep this economy moving.

Saving teacher[s’] jobs and updating our schools, though, is not a little item on the agenda that can be fixed by an executive order. As The Huffington Post is reporting today, Tacoma, Wash., teachers are on strike, despite a judge’s order to return to work. These teachers have the guts to put it all on the line to stand up for what is right for our kids. I am sure teachers all over the country would join them if they thought they would not lose their job the next day.

[W]hy, as a socially conscious society, are we forcing these dedicated teachers to abandon what they love in the classroom to protest what we all know is the right thing for our kids? This brave group in Tacoma represents our country’s conscience. How can we let our school buildings fall apart, and how can we not guarantee our children a first-class education? Our representatives in Washington can help fix this embarrassing situation we are forcing on our kids by talking instead of arguing. In business, you negotiate and work things out to move your business forward. With all of these businesspeople and lawyers as part of our government, why can’t they see this?

I wish we all had the courage of the Tacoma teachers. Every company, every community should be pushing our representatives in Washington to do the right thing. Fund teachers, fund school building, and this, in the short run, will help our economy get back on track.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/build-it-and-they-will-le_b_966863.html

May No Soldier Go Unloved

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This is the slogan used by the nonprofit, volunteer-led organization Soldiers Angels, [which assists] families of veterans and veterans deployed, wounded and moving back into society. These volunteers are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of soldiers, as well as regular Americans who know the sacrifices our military makes to keep all of us safe.

For most Americans, we really are not affected by the sacrifices our military makes for their country and, [just] as important, the sacrifices their families make. Sure, when we see them in uniform at the airport, we feel proud, but then the moment passes as we move on with our lives.

Military.com reported earlier this month that 12.4% of Iraq and Afghanistan vets are unemployed, 3% higher than the national average. CBS MoneyWatch.com reported that vets’ unemployment in Michigan is at 29.4%, in Indiana at 23.6% and in Minnesota at 22.9%.

Why is this not headlining news? I am pretty sure that America cares and should feel somewhat guilty that we are not supporting these heroes like we did in past generations.

In Congress, we are beginning to see some isolated compassion. Radio Iowa reported last week that Congressman Bruce Braley is calling for a new tax break for businesses that hire unemployed veterans. The Bremerton Washington Patriot also reported this month that Senator Patty Murray’s bill, the “Hiring Heroes Act,” is trying to smooth the transition process for veterans. [T]he Murphysboro American in Illinois [also recently] reported the honoring of two associates at the Illinois Department of Employment Security who excelled in providing job counseling, testing and placement assistance to unemployed veterans.

[T]hen we read [in] an article in The Huffington Post last week where California is cutting veterans’ courts from their budget. These specialized courts help veterans, so this can’t be good. Why, as a society, are we sending our veterans such mixed messages? As Soldiers Angels believes, “May no soldier go unloved.”

Both my father and father-in-law are WWII vets. Interestingly, both visited the VA hospital this month, and both commented to me how sincerely compassionate everyone at the hospital was—from the receptionist to the nurses to the doctors. I realize that when you are in your 80s, any compassion received from a stranger is amplified, but these proud, old vets truly appreciated how considerately and respectfully they were treated.

So why can’t we show this same thoughtfulness to the vets of this newest generation? Our businesses must show this generation our compassion and appreciation by employing them. Our government must help them transition back to civilians. We, as a nation, must embrace these vets like we embraced my father’s generation.

At DollarDays, we’ve worked with the great Soldiers Angels organization to develop a wishlist of products vets and their families can use. I encourage you to help out this volunteer organization. […]

As a nation, we celebrate Labor Day. As a nation, we celebrate Veterans Day. As a nation, we need to celebrate our veterans having productive jobs back in society. Only a strong moral commitment from both business and government can achieve this. All of us need to work towards this end, [a]nd our veterans need to know: we salute you!

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/veterans-unemployment_b_941822.html

We Are Forgetting About Our Kids

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I don’t need to rehash what has been going on in Washington. The moves that were made with the most recent agreements, we are told, were made to protect our children and their future. I am more worried about protecting our children of today to make sure we don’t have a lost generation gliding through our school system.

Where is our country’s moral standard when we read the article in The Huffington Post on August 8th, [titled] “Schools Caught Cheating in Atlanta and Around the Country“? […] Where is Washington when The Wichita Kansas Eagle reports this week, “Board Approves Heavy Budget Cuts” and goes on to say they are doing away with librarians and stringed-instrument classes? Or when the Corsicana, Texas, Daily Sun reports, “Mildred Cutting Budget“ and talks about the band not being able to go to football games? Where is our country’s ethical position when, as the Chicago Sun Times reported earlier this week, “Aldermen Not Warming up to Proposed School Property Tax Hike”?

Like any business, if you don’t have enough money coming in, the services you provide will be decreased. Around the country, skills that were being taught that have made our country what it is today, like music, art and physical education, are being eliminated. Teachers are being fired, increasing class size. This is not the legacy I want to leave my children today, let alone the children of tomorrow. […]

The Huffington Post, back in December, reported, “U.S. Falls in World Education Rankings” and that our great country is rated “average.” I know my kids aren’t average, and I am sure your kids aren’t average, either. In this horrible economy, we all have to make sacrifices, and any “average” American understands this—[b]ut don’t sacrifice our kids in the short term, because this country will pay for this in the future. Sacrifice our retirement benefits. Have us pay more in sales tax. Have the adults in this country benefit less in social services, but don’t sacrifice our kids, especially in their formative years.

At DollarDays, we are trying to help the kids a little. On our Facebook page, we are giving away one free month of SAT test preparation to an entire junior class at one school. You should enter your favorite high school into this sweepstakes.

Education is what has helped the quality of the American society grow so quickly in the last couple of hundred years. This is because adults have made the right sacrifices for all of our kids. It is the honorable and decent way to treat the next generation.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/budget-effects-schools_b_923951.html

Nonprofits a Loser in All This Mess

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Yesterday, July 20, there was an article in The Huffington Post called “Debt Ceiling Standoff Hurts Consumer Confidence.” In The Wall Street Journal today, an article says, “Layoffs Deepen Gloom“ and concludes, “The stepped-up pace of layoffs suggests companies are losing faith in the prospect of a second-half rebound.” Obviously, this is all bad news for small businesses, but it is awful news for nonprofits.

With less discretionary income to spend, both businesses and individuals can’t support their favorite charities like their heart tells them to do. Competition for nonprofit funding is fierce, and because nonprofits traditionally lag five years behind in a recovering economy, there are still several years of lean times ahead.

In spite of all this uncertain and disturbing news, our culture believes in supporting the right causes. I am seeing it increasingly driven by the younger generation, which seems to be better connected with what is happening not only in their neighborhoods but around the world. We get this information instantly now on our cellphones. Facebook has brought friends, groups and communities closer together. All of us, no matter how terrible the news is, are still experiencing the sense to do the right thing.

At DollarDays, we have established the DollarDays Wishlist Program for nonprofit organizations, which enables charities to select from thousands of much-needed items and […] allows their supporters to donate these products directly to their cause. This way, a donor can say, “I donated a case of socks” rather than wonder where their $50 donation went. […] If you are involved in a nonprofit or know one that needs this kind of help, let us know.

This country has got to get through this crisis together. No matter what your station in life is, don’t lose sight of those less fortunate that need our help. If you can’t help with money, help with your time.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/nonprofits-are-a-loser-in_b_906150.html

School Supply Giveaway Contest

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The Wall Street Journal reported today “For Small Businesses, Recession Isn’t Over.” As a supplier to small businesses of over 140,000 general-merchandise products, we knew the recession wasn’t over months ago, because small businesses are still having trouble getting traffic into their business, [and] those buyers [are spending] less than last year. [O]n top of [that], [small business are still] not […] able to get loans [easily] from banks to help not only keep their business afloat, but, as all optimistic entrepreneurs dream of, expand their business, as well.

Nonprofits are suffering in the same way, because they just can’t raise the kind of funds they need to support the causes needed to sustain our American society. During these recessionary times, all of us, whether you are a business or an individual, need to dig just a little deeper to help.

At DollarDays.com, during July, we are running a school supply giveaway contest of $500 to the school that gets the most votes. In just two days, [more than] 250 schools have been nominated on our Facebook page. […]

Nominations of schools are open until July 18, 2011, [s]o if you know of a school in need, send them to this contest—[o]r, better yet, figure out a way where you can give back, [too]!

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/school-supply-contest_b_893471.html?ec_carp=4117238912175737153