That’s what all the speakers at Street Level seemed to say – and I agree!
As previously explained, Street Level is a conference of many organizations working with poverty and homelessness. A dozen other Siloam Mission staff members and I were in attendance and we each felt it was a great learning experience.
The theme was “A Legacy of Justice” and, amoung other things, a reoccurring idea was that in order for people to flourish we need a strong sense of community. Speakers included authors, pastors, directors, CEOs, professors, counsellors, musicians and political activists. Every single one of them stressed the importance of a strong and genuine community.
How can we expect people to change when they have no encouragement? How can we expect to succeed if we have no support? How can people feel important and valued when no one tells them they are?
Today, when we think of the word “community” we think about the area of town we live in and perhaps our neighbours that we hardly ever speak to. We often think of a physical space. Yet the idea of community is so much more.
Community is about people. It’s about interaction and working together. It’s about having others around you that you know you can count on when times are rough. Community is about sharing the good times and the bad times. It’s about care and support.
It’s ridiculous how far we’ve moved away from genuine and caring interaction. We’d rather send an e-mail than talk face to face, send a text message than give someone a call and watch a movie while sitting at home alone than grab a coffee and chat. We’d rather do it ourselves than ask for help, buy one of our own than share with someone else and hold on to everything instead of allowing others to benefit from something we have. We think we don’t have time to stop and help because we’ll be late for something and we refuse to risk relationships out of fear of being hurt or mistreated.
Why are there so many people experiencing homelessness in Canada? I think it’s largely because of our culture’s sense of individuality. Why are there so many who are lonely and suffering with depression? I think it’s definitely linked to the idea that we need to be self-reliant in every way. We need to start building stronger and more supportive genuine communities so that as people we can care for each other and work together. No one honestly wants to go it alone, so let’s stop pretending we can.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator and sj101 Coordinator
P.S. For an interesting take on the idea of community, read Shane Claiborne’s book, “Irresistible Revolution” or check out “the simple way” at http://www.thesimpleway.org/.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
imagine a world in which each individual was concerned with the well-being of those around them. in which all possessions were shared, and all needs were met. where hospitality, generosity, and compassion are first nature. perhaps then we would know the true meaning of community. perhaps then we could learn to love likes jesus loved.
ReplyDelete