March 6 | Monday in the Second Week of Lent

“I think our society has been conditioned to believe that money is a reflection of hard work. Let’s face it. In many cases that’s true. But in the same number of cases it is so false. Why Is this so insidious? If money is a reflection of hard work, is a lack of money a sign of laziness? I speak to families who come here every week - “poor” is the label that they so greatly fear. Who are the people who come here and why are they “poor”? Divorce is one reason. Spouses skipping out on their responsibilities is another reason. Unemployment and job loss, other reasons. Medical bills another. The list goes on and on. There is so little laziness. I’ll tell you what paralyzes - it is not laziness. Poverty is not simple to understand and it never has been. Poverty is intersectional. It can be short term. It can be long term. It is way more than the lack of money in your bank account.”

Administrator | The Community Assistance Center

“I’ll tell you what poverty is. It is being unable to control the economic circumstances around you - often without any fault of your own. You know what poverty is? It is a gnawing feeling of not knowing that the world is a benign place. I hear people say: ‘Oh poor people make stupid decisions all the time. Seriously? Rich people can make incredibly stupid decisions all the time. Don’t we have evidence about that?’” 

Mark Brown | Writer. Mental Health Advocate. 

“I remember my mom working three jobs at Christmas so I would have presents and I just remember being in my bed there on Christmas Eve - at night - all alone in the apartment - wishing my mother was there with me.” 

Shirley, age 18, CAC’s Christmas Adopt-a-Child Program

“God plays upon the harp of the Spirit, sounding the strings strongest in love; and to this mystical music, Humanity is invited to sing.”

-Mechthild of Helfa  1229