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�Give a man a fish and feed him for a day,
teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.�
Reverend Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister, founded Goodwill in Boston, Massachusetts in 1902. As a pastor in the Boston community, Rev. Helms noticed that many individuals in the neighborhood were in desperate need of clothing and household goods. They were often unemployed due to language barriers and limited job skills.
In response to this crisis, Rev. Helms asked the members of his congregation to collect used household goods and clothing from the wealthier areas of the city. He then invited anyone in the community to take what they needed from the collection. However, when Rev. Helms opened the doors, he was met with pushing and shoving as people tried to take as many items as they could to help their families.
Rev. Helms knew there must be a better way to help the poor of Boston. He again asked his congregation to collect household goods and clothing, but this time he hired and trained the needy to mend and repair the used goods first. These people were given some of the fruits of their labors, and the rest were resold at very low prices. The system worked, and the Goodwill philosophy of �a hand up not a hand out� was born.
The Hand Up program support the Goodwill philosophy and provides individuals an opportunity to �earn while they learn� new job skills such as working in Edgar�s Coffee House (named after Edgar Helms) or processing clothing or other skill development jobs. Individuals sign a contract with Goodwill to work off delinquent utility bills and for each hour they work they receive a stipend of $8/hr credit toward his/her bill. Once the number of agreed hours is completed, a check is mailed directly to the utility company. The utility company agrees to keep the utility service on while the participant earns money for his/her delinquent bill. It is a win-win for everyone involved.
Number of people served to date: 283
To see if you qualify for the Hand Up Program, call CWLP at 789-2030.
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A Hand Up
Seek us outof desparate need
And Demonstrate a willingness to rise.
Speak openly and honestly,
Come in good faith, trust, set aside disguise
Work with us, as we work for you,
That we might help you find a better way.
To help yourself erase the things,
That brought you through our open door today.
We welcome you, but we're not here,
To drop a dime or dollar in a cup.
Though, we will add ouor strength to yours,
And show you to a steady course...A Hand Up.
Dave Bordner - Peoples Energy, Chicago
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